CLERMONT, Fla. – The UW-Stevens Point softball team (8-4) got a pair of wins on the first day of action in Florida. The Pointers defeated Plattsburgh State (3-3) by a 6-0 final behind a combined no-hitter from
Mallorie Kreuser (Verona, Wis./Verona) and
Kodi Rizzo (Newark, Ill./Newark Community). UWSP finished the sweep on the day with a 5-1 win over Farmingdale State (1-2).
The no-hitter by Kreuser and Rizzo was the 26th in program history. Pitching was also the story in game two as
Ashley Zygowski (Saukville, Wis./Port Washington) became just the second pitcher in DIII history with 30 career saves. She combined with
Morgan Harwood (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) to allow just a single unearned run on the day.
Offensively,
Kaitlyn Roberts (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) racked up six hits on the day, three in each game. In game one, she had a single, double and triple with three RBI and run scored. In game two, she had the only home run on the day with two runs scored.
Hannah Roepke (Blaine, Minn./Spring Lake Park),
Trinity Otto (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) and
Rachael Madsen (Kenosha, Wis./Mary D. Bradford) each had two hits on the day. Otto had three RBI on the day. Madesen scored a run in each game.
Game 1 – UWSP 6, Plattsburgh State 0
Roberts led off the game with a double into the left field corner. Two batters later, Madsen legged out a triple over the centerfielder to get UWSP on the board. Otto followed with a sac fly to give the Pointers a 2-0 advantage.
Roepke singled to start the fourth.
Sophie Schmidt (Twin Lakes, Wis./Wilmot Union) reached on a bunt single. After a fielder's choice put runners on the corners, a double steal plated a run. Pinch hitter
Cora Stodola (Mishicot, Wis./Mishicot) drew a walk. Roberts drove in two more with a triple to right-center for a 5-0 lead.
Ella Smith (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) drew a walk to lead off the sixth. She moved to second on a groundout and scored on a single by Roberts to make it 6-0.
Kreuser went 4.1 hitless frames and struck out seven. Rizzo pitched 2.1 hitless innings in relief with two strikeouts.
Game 2 – UWSP 5, FSC 1
Roberts started the bottom of the first with a single. With two away, she stole second. Otto then singled to put UWSP up, 1-0.
The Rams tied the game at 1-1 with one hit, an error and a squeeze bunt.
Roberts started the bottom of the third with another single. She was replaced at first on a fielder's choice. Madsen singled and Otto followed with a double to plate one. Roepke reached on a fielder's choice as Madsen scored by dislodging the ball from the catcher's glove on the slide. Harwood singled to push in another run.
With one out in the sixth, Roberts belted a solo home run to left to complete the scoring.
Harwood went 4.0 innings in the start. She struck out four. Zygowski tossed the final 3.0 innings to earn the save. She had five strikeouts.
The Pointers face Plymouth State and Framingham State on Thursday (Mar. 19) at 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET, respectively.
