STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point softball team (21-9, 3-5) split a doubleheader against UW-Platteville (19-11, 5-2) in the first games at McCarty Memorial Field in more than two years. UWSP rolled to a 10-1 run-rule win in game one before falling in game two by a narrow, 5-4, margin.
 
Hailee Thompson (Bonduel, Wis./Bonduel) and Rachael Madesn had three hits each. Thompson scored three runs on the day. Madsen had two RBI and two runs scored. Ashley Zygowski (Saukville, Wis./Port Washington) hit a grand slam and drove in five in game one. Ella Smith (Johnsburg, Ill./Johnsburg) and Trinity Otto (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) had two hits each in the doubleheader.
 
Game 1 – UWSP 10, UWP 1 (5 inn.)
The Pointers sent 11 batters to the plate in a five-run first inning. Kaitlyn Roberts (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) reached on an error to start the frame. Thompson and Madsen each singled to load the bases. Otto hit a double to push in two runs. Sophie Schmidt (Twin Lakes, Wis./Wilmot Union) and Zygowski drew consecutive walks to force in another run. Morgan Harwood (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) and Smith also drew back-to-back walks for a 4-0 lead. With two away, Roberts drew a walk to make it 5-0.
 
The Pioneers got a run back in the second on three hits to get within 5-1.
 
Thompson hit a double to begin the fourth. Madsen reached on an infield single. Schmidt drew a walk to load the bases. Zygowski then crushed a 3-2 pitch to center for a grand slam to make it 9-1. Cora Stodola (Mishicot, Wis./Mishicot) followed with a walk. She moved to second on a groundout and scored on a single by Allie Schwirtz (Mayville, Wis./Mayville).
 
Harwood struck out two in 4.0 innings in the start. Zygowski tossed 1.0 scoreless innings in relief.
 
Game 2 – UWSP 4, UWP 5
Zygowski was hit by a pitch to start the second. Two batters later, Smith singled and Stodola followed with a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch gave the Pointers a 1-0 lead.
 
UWP got consecutive solo home runs in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.
 
Smith singled to lead off the fourth. Roberts and Thompson drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with one out. Madsen singled to plate two runs. Otto followed with an RBI single for a 4-2 lead.
 
The Pioneers got three runs on two hits and two walks to put UWSP in a 5-4 hole. The Pointers got two on in the sixth and Thompson doubled in the seventh, but UWSP couldn't push across the tying run in either frame.
 
Kodi Rizzo (Newark, Ill./Newark Community) tossed 5.2 innings and struck out six. Zygowski pitched 1.1 frames in relief.
 
The Pointers host UW-La Crosse on Sunday (Apr. 26) in a twin bill beginning at 1:00 p.m.