LA CROSSE, WI- The La Crosse Steam split with the Mankato Habaneros in a day/night doubleheader at Copeland Park in front of 707 fans.
Game 1:
The La Crosse Steam’s starter, Alexis Watson (Viterbo), pitched 7 innings, allowing 2 runs on 8 hits, and striking out 2.
The Mankato Habaneros’ starter, Jenna Sprague (Washburn), also went 7 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, and striking out 2, lowering her ERA to 2.77.
In the top of the 3rd inning, Emma Lee (Trine) drove in a run with a single to center, putting the Habaneros ahead 1-0.
The Habaneros added another run in the top of the 4th inning on a throwing error by Steam shortstop Ashley Wolfe (Oregon State), allowing Madelyn Birling (Bryant and Stratton) to score, making it 2-0.
The Steam got on the board in the bottom of the 5th inning with an RBI single from Lindsey Schultz (Grinnell), narrowing the score to 2-1. However, that would be the extent of their scoring, as the Habaneros secured a 3-1 victory in Game 1.
Game 2:
The Steam’s starter, Sydney Schott (Spalding), pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits, and striking out 5.
The Habaneros’ starter, Jessa Snippes (Minnesota), went 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, and striking out 2.
The scoring began in the bottom of the 1st inning with an RBI single from Ashlee Chantos (Winona State), giving the Steam an early lead.
The Habaneros responded in the top of the 2nd inning, scoring 4 runs, including an RBI hit-by-pitch from Adrianna Young (St. Thomas) and a 3-RBI triple from Emma Lee (Trine), making it 4-1 Habaneros.
They added another run in the top of the 3rd inning with an RBI single from Indigo Fish, extending their lead to 5-1.
In the top of the 4th inning, the Habaneros extended their lead further with a Paige Zender RBI fielder’s choice and an RBI single from Indigo Fish, making it 7-1.
The Steam mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 4th inning, scoring 4 runs as Rachel Mori, Teagan Graul, and Katie Beagle scored on errors, and Ashley Wolfe hit an RBI single, narrowing the score to 7-5.
In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Steam took the lead, scoring 5 runs courtesy of an RBI walk by Lindsey Schultz, a sacrifice fly by Ashley Wolfe, an RBI single by Ashlee Chantos, and a 2-RBI double from Calli Janik, making it 10-7 La Crosse.
The Habaneros attempted to regain the lead in the top of the 6th inning with a 2-run homer by Paige Zender (Iowa State), closing the gap to 10-9.
However, the Steam held on to secure a 10-9 victory over the Habaneros, splitting the day/night doubleheader. With this win, the La Crosse Steam improved to 9-14, while the Mankato Habaneros fell to 18-6. The Steam will be back at home tomorrow to face the Madison Night Mares, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
