Wausau, WI- In game one of their doubleheader against the Mankato Habaneros on Saturday, the Wausau Ignite earned a 5-1 win.

It was in the third inning that Wausau took full control of the game in Mankato, scoring five runs off of starting pitcher Mango Mangulis. One run was a bases-loaded knock from Riley Schwisow (Northwestern State) to bring home the first run of the day. Then two batters later, Mia Johnson (UW-Parkside) mashed a grand slam to centerfield, her eighth home run of the summer and second grand slam.

With that one swing, Johnson retook the Northwoods League lead for RBIs with 37 and tied the lead for home runs at eight.

Riley Stiles (Lake Forest) and the Ignite field took care of the rest, holding the Habaneros to just three hits and one earned run through seven innings. Stiles is now tied for the fourth-most strikeouts in the league this summer with 33.

The Wausau Ignite return to Athletic Park on Friday, June 25th for a single-admission double header against the Lacrosse Steam at 5:05 pm CT. This game will also be a Stevens Point Fastpitch Fundraiser, so come by to support both the Ignite and a local youth fastpitch team!

The Ignite improved to 8-23 on the year and earned their third road win. Wausau and Mankato will play in game two of the doubleheader at 7:30 pm CT. 

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Leveraging the 31-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League beginning play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024.  The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play.  Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.