MARQUETTE, Mich. – The UW-Stevens Point softball team (2-0) got off to a good start to begin the 2020 season with a 6-0 win over host Finlandia (0-1) and a 7-5 victory over UW-Superior (1-1).
 
Reigning WIAC Position Player of the Year Lauren Luedtke (Lomira, Wis./Lomira) had four hits in the day and scored four times.  She also drove in a run and had two stolen bases.
 
Freshman Maddix Bonnell (Merrill, Wis./Merrill) also had four hits over the twin bill.  She drove in three and drew two walks.
 
All-conference catcher Sammy Buerger (Oshkosh, Wis./North) added three hits with three runs scored and a stolen base.
 
In the circle, freshman Makenna Tkach (Streator, Ill./Marquette Academy) earned her first career save and picked up her first career win.  Senior Ashley Cohen (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard South) picked up the win over Finlandia allowing just three hits in 5.0 innings.
 
Game 1 – UWSP 6, Finlandia 0
Buerger reached on a one-out single in the fourth inning.  Ashley Cohen (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard South) followed and reached on an error that allowed Buerger to score the first run of the season.  Madi Greenaberg (Downers Grove, Ill./North) doubled to drive in Cohen.  With two away, Bonnell singled to plate pinch runner Mackenzie Niespodzany (Pulaski, Wis./Pulaski).
 
In the seventh, Luedtke singled and stole second with one away.  Buerger singled another Lions error allowed the first run of the frame to score.  A pair of fielder's choices plated tow more runs as UWSP took a 6-0 lead.
 
Tkach came on in the sixth and fanned five of the seven batters she faced to earn the save.
 
Game 2 – UWSP 7, UW-Superior 5
The Yellowjackets took the lead in the second inning with two unearned runs and a pair of hits.  In the bottom of the frame, Luedtke led off with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly by Sara Traxel (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek).
 
In the fourth, Luedtke reached on an error and Cohen doubled to put two in scoring position.  Bonnell hit a two-run single with two down to give UWSP a 3-2 lead.
 
Buerger began to fifth with a single.  She scored on a double by Maddie Candre (St. Charles, Ill./East).  Two batters later, Candre scored on a double by Luedtke.  A wild pitch scored Niespodzany and the Pointers added a fourth run before the inning ended.
 
UWS made it interested in the seventh with three runs on four hits, but Cohen came on to record the final two outs and strand the tying runs aboard.
 
Tkach had three strikeouts in the win.  Lauren Lindahl (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) and Cohen each had one punchout in relief.
 
The Pointers wrap up the weekend on Sunday with games against Concordia (Wis.) and Northland at 12:00 p.m. ET and 2:00 p.m. ET, respectively.