VERONA, Wis. – Ceniti Park in Verona was finally without a drop of rain as the Edgewood College softball team hosted Maranatha Baptist in a Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader.  The Eagles needed later heroics in game one, but came away with a sweep of the Crusaders 3-2 and 4-3.

Edgewood College (8-17, 6-3 NAC) trailed the entire game and hopes were dim as Maranatha got two quick outs in the seventh, but the Eagles never gave up. After the Crusaders turned a double play, Lindsey Elsing drew a walk. Dylan Bahrke then hit a ground ball to the left side and Maranatha tried to force Elsing out at second, but she beat the throw and everyone was safe. Jackie Diesch then came to the plate and poked a single to right field, plating the tying run.

Tiffani Pierce was next up with a chance to extend the rally. Pierce singled through the left side, but a strong throw only allowed all runners to advance one base. With the bases loaded, Carlene DeCoster popped a ball up the middle and it looked like extra innings were definite, but the Crusaders' shortstop mishandled the fly and Bahrke crossed the plate to give Edgewood College a dramatic 3-2 victory.

Junior Charlie Leikness tossed all seven innings, scattering five hits and only allowing one earned run while striking out ten. DeCoster was 3-for-5 from the plate while Alyssa Schulting and Peirce each picked up a pair.

In game two after a clean top half of the inning, DeCoster drew a walk to begin Edgewood College's first. The junior then advanced to second on a wild pitch and later home on a throwing error by Maranatha's first baseman to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead after one. Karlie Klossner earned the start in game two and ran into some trouble in the second after Maranatha strung together three hits to score two runs. Although Edgewood College found themselves in another hole, a walk, dropped third strike and wild pitch allowed the Eagles to score a pair of runs to retake the lead 3-2.

Edgewood College had scored three runs on no hits, but finally got their first hit in the third when Jessica Spitzer ripped a solo shot to left field, extending the Eagles lead to 4-2. A leadoff double for Maranatha led to a run in the fourth, but Klossner did not allow another. DeJongh came in to pitch in the sixth and breezed through the Crusaders' lineup only allowing one hit the finally two innings and the Eagles earned their third consecutive win.

The Eagles were actually outhit 9-3 in game two, but Edgewood College took advantage of Maranatha mistakes to steal the victory. DeJongh, Landon, and Spitzer combined for the three hits in game two.

The Eagles will have a day off before they head to Mequon for a twin bill against Concordia University Wisconsin. Live stats and audio will be available for the 4:00 p.m. start. These links can be found on EdgewoodCollegeEagles.com.