RHINELANDER, Wis. – The CUW softball team started off the 2021 season on the right foot on Saturday with a 6-0 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran and a 10-0 victory over Ripon.

"The battery for CUW was excellent with a strong defensive performance by Claudia Utz," said head coach Steve Crook. "Overall, it was a very solid defensive effort and we had great balance offensivly with nine Falcons registering a hit on the day. Claudia called two great games and threw out the only two base runners who attempted to steal."

The first run of the year was scored by freshman Madison Wheat Coweta, Okla.) on a groundout by junior Taylor Kuske (Kaukauna, Wis.) in the first inning against WLC.

The Falcons broke the game open in the fifth inning, when Madison Wheat (knocked a double to score sophomore Sydney Erdmann (Geneva, Ill.), Emily Walters (Waupun, Wis.) and sophomore Gabbi Gaziano (Beloit, Wis.).

In the sixth inning, junior Kristen Fontana (Hickory Hills, Ill.) landed a single to get freshman Caitlin Huberty (Coleman, Wis.) across home plate.

Junior Gina Followell (Romeoville, Ill.) dominated in the circle and finished with 10 strikeouts and only allowed three hits.

Kristen Fontana led the flock with three hits against the Warriors.

The Falcons jumped on the Redhawks early with a home run by senior Jenna Pozezinski (Lake Villa, Ill.) that scored Kelsey Bollon and Taylor Kuske.

In the second inning, Sydney Erdmann launched a single that scored Kristen Fontana and then Madison Wheat scored Erdmann.

Gabbi Gaziano and Taylor Kuske scored on wild pitches in the fourth inning. Taylor Kuske also scored in the fourth inning.

Gaziano closed the scoring with a home run in the fifth inning.

Junior Nicki Becker (Brodhead, Wis.) did not allow a hit in the game and had 10 strikeouts.

The Falcons return to play on March 17 against Wisconsin-Oshkosh.