Moline, Ill. - The Viterbo University Softball team split in its two games on Saturday as the team lost to Saint Ambrose University 10-1 before getting revenge on Clarke College with a 9-2 victory in the team's second game. These would be the only two games Viterbo would play over the weekend as the two remaining games on Sunday were cancelled due to rain.

Viterbo was outmatched in the first contest as Melissa Krueger allowed just one run on eight hits while picking up six strikeouts as she earned the victory for the Queen Bees. Krueger's impressive day on the mound may have been overshadowed by her performance at the plate however as she finished the game 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI.

Saint Ambrose held a comfortable 8-0 lead before the V-Hawks would put their lone run on the board in the sixth inning. Betsy Ward (Jr. - River Falls, Wis.) scored the only V-Hawk run as she crossed home plate on a double by teammate Jenna Strait (Jr. - La Farge, Wis.).

Kallie Mechling (So. - Holmen, Wis.) picked up the loss on the mound for the V-Hawks as she allowed eight earned runs on 16 hits in her complete game effort.

Leading the V-Hawks offensively in game one were Ward and Strait who each went 2-for-3.

The V-Hawks would receive another complete game effort from their starting pitcher in the following matchup but found themselves on the winning side this time as they defeated Clarke College 9-2.

Bethanee Nitz (Fr. - Menomonee Falls, Wis.) earned the win as she allowed just two runs on 12 hits while she struck out seven Clarke batters.

Viterbo jumped ahead early in this one as they put up four runs in the first, two in the second, and three in the third to take an early 9-1 lead. The scoring was highlighted by a solo home run in the second inning by Kenisha McGuire (Fr. - La Crosse, Wis.) and run-producing hits by Strait and Leah Young (Fr. - Bangor, Wis.). Clarke's pitching staff struggled with their control early as they walked in three of Viterbo's nine runs.

Leading the V-Hawks at the plate in game two were Sami Weaver (Fr. - Trempealeau, Wis.) and Ward as they each collected three hits. Young was the only other V-Hawk to record multiple hits as she went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

The V-Hawks now hold a 9-29 overall record and a 4-16 Midwest Collegiate Conference record as the team has won three of its last five games.

The Viterbo Softball team will wrap-up their season this Wednesday as the team hosts William Penn University in a double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm at the Viterbo University Outdoor Athletic Complex.