PLYMOUTH, Wis. –
Callie Linders (
Jr.-Griffith, Ind.) and
Maddie Raske (
Jr.-Tinley Park, Ill.) combined for 11 hits atop the lineup over two games and the Lakeland University softball team spoiled Rockford University's Senior Day by sweeping the teams' doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
The Muskies jumped out early on the way to a 9-2 win in the first game and then held off the Regents 4-1 in the second game to keep pace with the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference leaders. Lakeland improved to 21-12-1 overall, surpassing its win total from last season, and is 13-5 in the NACC and still in second in the conference behind Dominican University with six regular season games to play.
Linders and Raske were a powerful duo hitting 1-2 in the Muskies' lineup, leading a quartet of Muskies to post two multi-hit games. Linders went 6-for-8 on the day, including four hits in the first game, while Raske was 5-for-9 at the plate, and both pushed their season batting averages well over .400 for the season with Linders now at .411 and Raske right behind at .410.
McKenzie Staudinger (
Jr.-Manitowoc, Wis.) and
Madelyn Abler (
Fr.-Random Lake, Wis.) also both had four-hit days, including a pair of hits in both games for both. Staudinger also drove in four runs from the cleanup spot, while Abler went 4-for-7 on the day in just her third and fourth starts of the season. The freshman hit a double, drove in two runs and scored twice in the first game, and then added a triple to drive in the Muskies' first run in the second game and came in to score immediately after on an infield single by Linders to make it 2-0 in the second inning.
Lakeland also received a quality combined pitching effort in the nightcap, including
Lily Pettit (
So.-Rewey, Wis.) starting and pitching 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and a single run.
Jacie Jones (
Sr.-Prairie du Sac, Wis.) then came on with two outs in the fifth and set down seven straight Regents to finish the game to notch her fourth save of the season.
The Muskies also shut down Rockford (15-21 overall, 8-14 NACC) in the first game, with
Natalie Ziebell (
So.-New Holstein, Wis.) and
Addison Dierschow (
Fr.-Sycamore, Ill.) combining to allow just four hits, including Dierschow allowing two hits and a run with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings of relief to earn her third win of the season. Lakeland also pounded Rockford pitching to the tune of 16 hits in the first game, including six in a five-run second inning to take control of the game. Abler hit a two-run single in the inning and Raske added a two-run single down the left field line to make it 5-0.
Sam Marchant (
Jr.-Green Bay, Wis.) also got in on the hit parade in the opener with two hits.
Lexi Howard (
So.-Crown Point, Ind.) and
Sydney Meyer (
Sr.-Crown Point, Ind.) also both had two hits each on the day.
Lakeland is on the road again tomorrow to face Edgewood University for the Eagles' Senior Day, with games in Verona, Wis., starting at noon.
