MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Apr. 15, 2008) – Edgewood College scored four runs on four hits to blank Wisconsin Lutheran 4-0 in game one before falling 5-4 in game two of the twinbill at Warrior Field in Milwaukee, Wis. Jennifer Stephens extended her hitting streak to 16 games, going five-for-eight over the course of the series.
Jenna Ryan (7-6) picked up her second straight shutout, striking out 10 in seven innings of work to help the Eagles to the 4-0 win. The Eagles scored one run each in the first and sixth innings while scoring two runs in the fourth. With two outs in the fourth inning, Rachel Elliot reached on an error to keep the inning alive. The next at bat, Jenna Ryan made the Warriors pay, belting her third home run of the season to give Edgewood College the three run cushion. Jennifer Stephens was two-for-four at the plate. Stephens was the only Eagle with multiple hits as the team only managed four hits in the game. Lutheran's Michelle Shambeau (11-7) absorbed the loss despite allowing just one earned run and striking out 11 Eagle batters.
All nine runs were scored within two innings as the Warriors salvaged the series with a 5-4 win. Lutheran's Megan Hafenstein homered in the top of the third to open up the scoring. The Warriors would add two more runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead. Edgewood College responded, blasting seven hits and scoring four runs to take the lead in the bottom of the third 4-3. Jenna Ryan highlighted the half-inning with a two RBI single. In the fourth a wild pitch and an error allowed the Warriors to retake the lead, scoring two more runs to bring the game to 5-4. Michelle Shambeau (12-7) rebounded from her loss earlier in the day, pitching all seven innings and striking out seven to pick up the win. Jennifer Stephens (2-2) was hit with her second loss of the year, pitching five innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out six. Offensively Stephens was three-for-four at the plate while teammate Jamie Kurt was two-for-four.
Michelle Shambeau pitched all 14 innings for the Warriors, amassing 18 strikeouts on the day and allowing just five earned runs. Edgewood College's Jennifer Stephens extends her impressive hitting streak to 16 games and has now gotten a hit in 19 of the team's 20 games.
With the split the Eagles move to 10-10 overall and 5-5 in Northern Athletics Conference play while the Warriors move to 14-10 overall and 12-4 in conference. The Eagles return to the diamond on Thursday for a home doubleheader against Concordia Chicago. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Ceniti Park in Verona.
Summary by Mark Albanese, Sports Information
