OAK CREEK, Wis. — Milwaukee Area Technical College softball bounced back from Tuesday's losses in a big way Thursday, sweeping College of DuPage 5–2 and 4–3 at the Oak Creek Campus to improve to 18–27 on the season. The Stormers rode a complete‑game gem from freshman Chloe Lago in the opener and struck early in Game 2 to secure their third home doubleheader sweep of the spring.

Lago anchored the day with a seven‑inning effort in Game 1, allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits without a walk, while a four‑run fourth inning gave MATC all the separation it needed. The Stormers then scored four runs across the first two innings of the nightcap and held off a late DuPage push behind strong pitching and steady defense to complete the sweep.

"I was impressed with how we played great defense, had timely hitting and great pitching," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said.

Game 1: Stormers 5, DuPage 2
MATC rode a dominant outing from Lago and a decisive four‑run fourth inning to take the opener. Lago was in command throughout her complete game, scattering nine hits while allowing just two runs (one earned) with no walks and one strikeout. She stranded runners in every inning but one, repeatedly pitching out of traffic to keep the game scoreless until the Stormers' breakthrough.

"When Lago has all her pitches going, she's really tough to hit and barrel up," Kuntner said. "You saw she was able to induce a lot of soft contact to get out of tough jams."

MATC finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth, turning Mia Carani's leadoff single into a momentum‑shifting rally. After an Aniesa Neave walk, Ellie Brzek ripped an RBI double to open the scoring. Jayden Moss reached on an error that allowed Neave to score, Emily Pujanauski followed with an RBI double, and Moss later crossed on a passed ball to cap the four‑run frame.

"I just do my best to keep a clear mind, stay positive and put the bat on the ball," Carani said of her rally‑starting single. "I try to work on my pitch selection and wait until I get something I can barrel."

The Stormers added another run in the fifth when Brzek doubled for the second straight inning and scored on a catcher's error during Pujanauski's plate appearance, stretching the lead to 5–1.

Lago protected the margin late, allowing a run in both the fifth and seventh but stranding the tying run on deck each time. She closed the game by retiring the final two hitters after an RBI single in the seventh.

Carani paced the offense, going 3‑for‑3 with a double and a run scored. Brzek added two doubles, an RBI, a walk and two runs, while Moss chipped in a single, an RBI and a run scored. Pujanauski added a double and an RBI.

Game 2: Stormers 4, DuPage 3
MATC completed the sweep with a 4–3 win in the nightcap, using a fast start at the plate and a shutdown pitching tandem from Brzek and Brooke Peters. The Stormers scored all four of their runs in the first two innings, collecting seven of their nine hits during that stretch before leaning on their arms and defense to close out the one‑run victory.

"We had runners on base in later innings, but we weren't getting the key hits," Kuntner said. "But our defense was good enough that we were able to hold on for a one‑run victory."

Brzek (3–4) earned the win with a gritty four‑inning outing, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out five. She set the tone early with a 1‑2‑3 first inning and pitched out of multiple jams, including a bases‑loaded situation in the second and a two‑on, no‑out threat in the third.

Peters took over in the fifth and was nearly flawless, tossing three scoreless innings on one hit with no walks to secure her second save of the year. She retired eight of the final nine hitters she faced, including a 1‑2‑3 seventh to end it.

"Both pitchers were fantastic," Kuntner said. "Brzek had great command on her first‑pitch strikes. We told her pregame to get ahead in counts because she had been falling behind lately. And Peters was solid in relief again, just like Tuesday against JJC."

MATC's offense wasted no time building a lead. Rylyn Paulick opened the bottom of the first with a single, and after a popout, Amira Baldon drove her in with an RBI double. Maiya Tearney followed with an RBI single to make it 2–0. The Stormers doubled the margin in the second when Zoey Murph, Hallie Knurowski, Paulick and Carani strung together four straight singles, with Carani delivering a two‑run knock for a 4–2 advantage.

DuPage cut the deficit to one with a run in the fifth, but Peters shut the door from there.

"I think it was a total team effort," Peters said after earning the save. "Everyone played a role in the win."

Carani went 1‑for‑3 with a two‑RBI single to lead the Stormers at the plate. Paulick added two hits, a walk and a run scored, while Emma Roeper contributed two singles in three plate appearances. Murph and Knurowski each singled and scored once, and Baldon finished with a double, an RBI, a walk and a run scored.

UP NEXT
MATC (18–27) returns home Friday for a Region 4 doubleheader against Carl Sandburg College in Oak Creek. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., with Game 2 to follow at 5 p.m.