MILWAUKEE, Wis. – MATC softball had its eight-game winning streak snapped Tuesday after dropping a pair of home games to Rock Valley.

In Game 1, MATC combined for just three hits in a 12-1 loss in six innings. In Game 2, the Stormers allowed an eight-run first-inning before falling 10-0 in five innings. As a result of the two losses to the Golden Eagles, MATC fell to 22-19 and 12-6 at home.

"Rock Valley is undefeated in region play for a reason," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said. "We had a good day of practice yesterday and the girls were ready, but fortunately we made too many mistakes in the field today."

Game 1: Stormers' stifled at the plate
After combining to score 51 runs over four road wins this past weekend, the Stormers' offense was limited to just four combined hits in a 12-1 loss to Rock Valley over six innings.

"Rock Valley put the ball in play and we didn't," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said. "It's just that simple. They got some good barrels and we didn't."

MATC had trouble making contact against Rock Valley's starter Natalie Lower. The Golden Eagles' hurler surrendered one earned run on four hits, striking out 10 and walking two in a complete-game effort.

Lower was dominant from the get-go. She had a no-hitter bid going through three innings, which allowed her squad to jump out to a 6-0 lead after scoring three runs in each of the second and third innings. Ava Marx broke up Lower's no-hit bid in the bottom of the fourth after recording  a single to right field.

Both teams traded a run in fifth. Rock Valley plated a run on a throwing error to extend its lead to 7-0 before Ryen Pagano smacked a leadoff double in the bottom half of the inning to jumpstart MATC's offense. After back-to-back strikeouts, Taylor Wilson recorded a two-out RBI single to plate Pagano and help put the Stormers on the board.

From that point on, MATC only managed one more hit, a two-out single by Jayden Moss in the bottom of the sixth.

STAT BOOK (Game 1)
Wilson paced the Stormers with an RBI single. Pagano added one double and a run scored. Moss and Marx each had singles. Henschel took the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts over two innings of work. Reliever Jordan Hanserd tossed 2 and ⅔ innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits. Nevaeh Folk surrendered five earned runs on six hits over 1 and ⅓ innings of relief.

Game 2: Stormers find themselves in too big of a hole early
An eight-run first-inning by Rock Valley was all the Golden Eagles needed to coast their way to a 10-0 shutout win over MATC in five innings.

MATC's starter Emma Staudt did her best to try and minimize the damage. After allowing an RBI double to help put Rock Valley up 1-0 with zero outs, Staudt bounced back by forcing back-to-back outs via a groundout and a flyout. However, it was at this point that the Stormers' defense started to unravel. They went on to total three defensive errors in the first, all of which helped lead to seven unearned runs.

"We didn't play up to our potential in that first inning," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said.

Staudt's start came to a close after getting through the first inning. The sophomore righty allowed eight runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out none and walking two.

Eleanor Henschel relieved Staudt and had a solid outing of relief action. She tossed four innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits while striking out three.

"Henschel came in and sort of shut them down," Kuntner said. "I'm proud of how she came in and pitched. We didn't put many barrels on the ball, and when we did, Rock Valley made nice plays."

Collectively as a team, MATC's hitters were limited to just one hit and two total base runners. Mia Carani broke up a no-hitter bid in the bottom of the sixth on an infield single and Ava Marx reached first on an error in the bottom of the first.

STAT BOOK (Game 2)
Carani broke up a no-hitter by recording a single in the bottom of the sixth innings to help pace the Stormers' offense. Ava Marx reached once on an error. Staudt took the loss on the mound after giving up eight runs (one earned) on seven hits over two innings. Henschel tossed four innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on four hits while striking out three over three innings.

UP NEXT
MATC (22-19) will travel to Moraine Valley Wednesday for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.