The IWU Wildcats’ softball team began their season with a victory on Friday afternoon, as they rallied from a two-run deficit to defeat Madonna University 5-3.
Kira Madl gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a ground rule double that scored Lauren Buckley, but Madonna scored three runs in the third inning to take a two-run advantage.
The Wildcats tied the game with two runs in the fourth inning, and completed the comeback with two more runs in the sixth inning. All four runs came off of Madonna errors.
“I was so proud of these girls and their fight to come back from being down 3-1,” head coach Steve Babinski said. “Our pitching and defense went on lockdown and our speed and timely offence came through. If game one’s fight is any indicator of the rest of the season then buckle up for some fun.”
Later on Friday, freshman Mckenzey Ridge recorded her first career shutout, striking out six over seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over Cleary University.
Lauren Buckley opened the scoring for the Wildcats in the fifth inning with an RBI single, while Alex Springer hit a two-run double later in the frame to provide the only offense that the Wildcats needed.
Springer finished the game 2-for-4, while Rebecca Schrad went 3-for-3 with a stolen base in the victory.
