OAK CREEK, Wis. – MATC softball picked up a pair of hard fought victories over Wisconsin Lutheran JV during Wednesday's home doubleheader that included honoring its sophomores in between games for its annual Sophomore Day.

In the opener, the Stormers claimed an 8-0 shutout victory in six innings before going on to formulate a comeback to earn a 9-7 victory in seven innings in Game 2. In between games, MATC honored its sophomores  – Ava Marx, Sophia Hansen, Madi Johnson Hass, Eleanor Henschel, Ryen Pagano, Emma Staudt, and Taylor Wilson  – for their contributions to the program over the past few years.

"If it wasn't for this class, we wouldn't have a program right now," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said. "They came in and not only helped start the NJCAA Division II season last year during our inaugural season, but they also helped us go from a losing record to a winning record. It's fantastic and I'm very proud of all of them."

As a result of the sweep, MATC improved to 27-21 and 14-7 at home.

Game 1: Stormers cruise to shutout victory
There wasn't much offense needed in Game 1 by the Stormers thanks to the brilliance displayed by their freshman starting pitcher Jordan Hanserd, who threw a complete-game shutout to improve to 4-4 on the season.

Over six innings of action, Hanserd recorded a shutout with nine strikeouts while only giving up three hits. Her performance within the circle, along with a six-run sixth-inning by the Stormers' offense, helped power MATC to an 8-0 win.

"I was just trying to hit my corners," Hanserd said. "Wisconsin Lutheran couldn't hit the outside and so I was hitting a lot of outside pitches and working back inside and they weren't able to hit it. I had to help make the day special for our sophomores because they needed the win today. We couldn't lose on Sophomore Day."

After combining for just four hits over the first four innings of play, MATC went on to catch fire at the plate late by combining for eight hits and eight runs over the fifth and sixth innings.

Emma Staudt recorded a leadoff single in the fifth before later scoring on a two-run home run by fellow sophomore Ryen Pagano, who's homer helped put the Stormers ahead 2-0.

Similarly to the fifth, Rylyn Paulick barreled a leadoff single to help spark a six-run explosion in the sixth. Eleanor Henschel later doubled, which led to a two-RBI double by Madi Johnson Hass to extend the lead to 4-0. Aniesa Neave recorded an RBI single, followed by a two-RBI double by Pagano, and another RBI double from Paulick.

Pagano finished the game totaling half her team's RBIs. The sophomore outfielder went a perfect 4-for-4 with a two-run blast and team-high four RBIs. It also marked the fourth straight game Pagano has recorded a home run.

"I think I'm getting better with my stance and then I'm also seeing the ball to the bat better than I was before," Pagano said. "I was very anxious at the beginning of the season, but now I feel fluid and in a groove."

STAT BOOK (Game 1)
Pagano collected four hits, four RBIs and two runs scored to help lead the Stormers at the plate. Eleanor Henschel went 3-for-3 with a double and a run. Paulick collected two hits, one RBI and a run scored. Johnson Hass had a two-RBI double and a run. Hanserd earned the win, giving up zero runs and three hits over six innings, striking out nine.



Game 2: MATC storms back to earn come-from-behind victory
Powered by a three-run sixth-inning, MATC managed to overcome an early 4-0 hole and complete the series sweep on Sophomore Day by earning a 9-7 victory in Game 2.

Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth, MATC staged an incredible comeback by plating three runs all with two outs. Ryen Pagano hit a leadoff single, followed immediately by another single from Mia Carani before the Stormers recorded back-to-back outs. With runners on first and second, Zoey Murph connected on an RBI single to plate Pagano and tie the game 7-7. Still needing to break the tie, Emma Staudt clutched up for a two-RBI double to center field that put MATC ahead for good. Staudt then finished the job on the mound by firing a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh to help seal the two-run victory.

"I knew that I wanted to go home and so I knew I needed to get us an RBI," Staudt said of her clutch go-ahead two-RBI double. "I just hit it well and then I wanted to go shut them down on the mound the ensuing inning. My defense had my back, like always."

Outside of the late-game heroics at the plate, Staudt's performance on the mound proved to be pivotal. She relieved Nevaeh Folk to begin the top of the fifth when MATC faced a 7-4 deficit. Over those three innings of relief, Staudt allowed zero runs on one hit while striking out six.

"Emma came in relief and shut the door on WLC," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said. "With Emma's speed and her ability to ix pitches, she is tough to hit off of. It was a bounce back effort for her coming off the Triton game."

Some of the other key contributors to the Stormers claiming Game 2 came from the likes of Ryen Pagano, Carani, and Murph, who all had multi-hit efforts. Pagano went 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Carani added two hits, one RBI and one run scored while Murph contributed two RBI singles and a pair of runs. Sophia Hansen, Jayden Moss, Somer Beckman also had one hit apiece.

"It was a fantastic effort from everyone and we used just about every available player in that second game," Kuntner said. "We have the theory of "next lady up" and so as long as they can do their job, I'm happy that we were able to fight back just like the other day against Triton."

With Staudt earning the win in relief, it left starter Rylyn Paulick to earn the no-decision. Paulick's start on the mound came to a close after surrendering four earned runs on five hits while striking out zero and walking three over two innings.

STAT BOOK (Game 2)
Staudt led the Stormers with a go-ahead two-RBI double in the bottom of the sixth. Murph collected two singles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Pagano and Carani each had two hits and one RBI apiece. Beckman went 1-for-4 with a single and an RBI.


UP NEXT
MATC (26-21) will host Oakton Friday for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.