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RIPON, Wis. - The Red Hawks clinched the second and final MWC North Division playoff spot with a drama-filled doubleheader split with Carroll College on Saturday. The Pioneers took the first game 8-0, moving into a second-place tie with the Red Hawks in the MWC North standings, which meant the final playoff spot would come down to the second game of the day, which Ripon won 2-1, behind a school record 14 strikeouts by freshman pitcher Brittnee Peotter.
The Red Hawks (15-11, 6-2) couldn't get anything going in the first game, managing just three hits in the contest. Natalie Geenen broke up the no-hit bid in the top of the fourth.
Carroll (14-10, 5-3) was the complete opposite, pounding out 15 hits in the game and wasting no time, scoring twice in the top of the first. The first run scored on an error, while the second crossed the plate thanks to a triple by Trista Corrigan. Ripon held the Pioneers scoreless for the next three innings, but Carroll would score a pair of runs in each of the final three frames.
Ripon's lone hits came off the bats of Geenen, Andrea Knorr, and Ashley Kirst. Knorr (10-7) also took the loss on the mound, pitching all seven innings, while allowing six earned runs and striking out six Carroll batters.
Carroll was led by Corrigan's 3-for-3 performance at the plate, including a game-high four RBI. Mindy Benz also had three hits for the Pioneers, to go along with three runs scored.
The second game of the day was much more competitive, and was in doubt until the final inning. Ripon got on the board first, with two runs in the top of the fourth. The rally was started by Knorr, who doubled off the left field wall to lead off the inning. She would later score on a throwing error. Ripon put up their second run of the inning thanks to a double steal, which scored Abby Richeson from third.
Carroll answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on a throwing error with one out. That would be all the runs they would get however, as Peotter (5-3) was virtually unhittable, especially in the late innings. The freshman from Kaukauna, Wis. pitched a complete game, allowing just two hits. Her school record 14 strikeouts included the last six Carroll batters of the game, as she struck out the side in the final two innings.
The Red Hawks will now face Lakeland on Sunday in a non-conference battle, which will be a tune up for next weekend's Midwest Conference Tournament. Sunday's doubleheader will begin at 1:00 p.m.
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