Wausau, WI- Game two of the Wausau Ignite’s doubleheader against the La Crosse Steam was their best offensive outing of the season, as they scored 16 unanswered runs to take a 16-5 victory after just five innings.

The Ignite were on the ropes after the top of the second, as the Steam scorched them for five quick runs. Down and in need of a score to stay in the game, Riley Schwisow (Northwestern State) delivered, belting a solo homer to center field to get the scoring going. The run sparked a massive offensive inning, where Wausau put up 10 runs in their whopping 16 at-bats.

Fans at Athletic Park stayed behind their team as they continued to pour it on with four more runs in the third and another two added in the fourth. Up by 11 in the fifth, Wausau secured the last three outs and were able to shut the door for the run-rule victory. 

The Ignite showed off their power against the Steam in game two, hitting three home runs, a triple, and two doubles across just three innings of scoring. Schwisow hit her eighth and ninth homers of the year on Friday, while Molly Fitzgerald (Missouri S&T) hit her fourth on the season. Brooklyn Hofer (North Dakota) earned the triple, her second of the summer, with a line drive down the left field line and a great hustle over to third to beat the tag. 

Wausau split their series against La Crosse with the blowout win, which was also the highest-scoring outing in team history, topping their 14-6 victory over Mankato on July 13.

The Ignite start a three-day homestand against the Minot Honeybees on Sunday, July 27, at 1:05 pm CT. Your kids won’t want to miss this one as kids run the bases post-game with the Heelers! There will also be an Inaugural Team Poster Giveaway to the first 250 fans through the gate, which opens at 12:05 PM. Don’t be late, and we’ll see you there!

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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.