La Crosse, Wis. – Homeruns by freshman Maddy Podmolik (Deerfield, Wis.) and Jenna Smith (La Crosse, Wis.) in game one help Viterbo University earn a 3-1 win over Iowa Wesleyan College but the V-Hawks fell in game two 3-2.

Game one started out as a pitchers dual as both teams combined for just two hits over the first four innings. The Tigers of Iowa Wesleyan College would finally break through first in the top of the fifth inning as they scored a run on a hit and an error. Viterbo would then find some offense in the bottom of the sixth inning as Podmolik opened the inning with her fourth homerun of the season. Sophomore Amanda Berg (Whitehall, Wis.) followed that up with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jenna Smith then hit her third home run of the season to drive in Berg and give the V-Hawks a 3-1 lead.

That would be all the offense that V-Hawk starting pitcher Alison VanHavermaet (So. Tomah, Wis.) would need as she retired the side in the top of the seventh to earn her fourth win of the season. VanHavermaet allowed just two hits while striking out six in seven innings of work. Iowa Wesleyan College starting pitcher Sierrah Garcia, who was named NAIA National Pitcher of the Week today, gave up three runs on five hits while striking out 11 in her six innings of work. Those runs given up by Garcia were the first she had given up in 30 innings. Leading the offense for the V-Hawks was Podmolik who finished 2-3 with a run scored and an RBI while Smith was 1-2 with a run scored and 2 RBI's.

Iowa Wesleyan College got on the board right away in game two as they scored two runs on one hit and an error. Viterbo would get a run back in the second inning as pinch runner Sam Olson (Fr. – Galesville, Wis.) scored on a ground out by Lizzy Dier (Fr. – Algoma, Wis.). The Tigers would add to their lead in the top of the fifth inning as Jill Ginder stole home. Viterbo would make some noise in the bottom of the sixth as the V-Hawks loaded the bases with one out. Dier would then drive in a run with a single to close the gap to 3-2. Unfortunately for the V-Hawks that would be the only run they could score.

Freshman Justine Emerson (Galesville, Wis.) started on the mound for the V-Hawks and allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits in seven innings of work. Jillian Leutscher went the distance for the Tigers allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings. Sami Weaver (Jr. – Trempealeau, Wis.) led the V-Hawks in game two as she finished 2-4 while Dier was 1-2 with two RBI's.

The doubleheader split sends Viterbo to 6-18 overall and 4-8 in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Iowa Wesleyan College is now 16-23 overall and 4-8 in conference action. Viterbo will be back in action next when they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday to play Mount Mercy University. The doubleheader is scheduled to start at 5:00 pm.