Wilkey, Jardine Lead V-Hawks to a Pair of Home Opener Victories

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Softball team claimed their first two wins of the season in their home openers against Clarke University (Iowa) on Thursday night. Viterbo won the first game 4-3, and the nightcap 10-2 in six innings.

Clarke would start the scoring in the top of the third with a lead off solo home run, but Makayla Nortman answered with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the frame that brought in Courtney Denton. In the bottom of the fourth, the V-Hawks would load the bases with two outs, and after two walked-in RBI's by Alina Garstka and Nortman, Sydney Haakenson singled to bring in Addie Schroeder and take a 4-1 lead. After a pair of scoreless innings, the Pride would attempt a final inning rally, but would only manage two runs, as Channing Manske caught a fly ball in left field, and her throw beat the runner to home, completing the double play and the win.

Morgan James went 2-for-2, and Nortman recorded two RBI's to lead the V-Hawk offense, while Kynadee Harris went 2-for-3 for the Pride. Maddie Wilkey (W, 1-4) earned her first win of the season in 4.2 innings, and Malarie Huseman (L, 4-3) recorded the loss with four strikeouts.

In the late game, both teams would record early hits, but the scoring didn't start until the third inning, when Clarke would bring in a pair of runs on three hits and two errors. Viterbo would respond in the bottom of the third on a Megan Jardine RBI single and Morgan James RBI single down the right field line. A big fourth inning for the V-Hawks saw five runs scored, coming from a Pride error, Logan Neblock RBI single, and Jardine two-run homer. The momentum would continue into the fifth inning, as Viterbo scored two more runs on a passed ball. James' homer in the bottom of the sixth would put the V-Hawks up eight to hit the mercy rule, and VU claimed victory.

Jardine and James led the V-Hawks offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBI's and 2-for-3 with two RBI's, respectively. Payton Lamont (W, 1-2) earned her first victory of the year, throwing all six innings. Calli Beck (L, 1-4) had three strikeouts in the losing effort.

The V-Hawks return to action on Saturday, March 25 as they host Bellevue University (Neb.) in a four-game series in their North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) conference opener.