OAK CREEK, Wis. — Milwaukee Area Technical College softball closed its regular season with a statement on Sophomore Day, rolling to 12–3 and 15–6 run‑rule wins over Elgin on Saturday as all 11 sophomores started, contributed and helped deliver a celebratory sweep in their final home appearance.

"Our sophomores came out and set the tone right away," MATC head coach Joe Kuntner said. "The dugout was loud, and it was a great day to celebrate and watch them all execute offensively and defensively."

With families lining the infield for a pregame ceremony that introduced each sophomore, honored their careers and featured gifts, flowers and photos at home plate, the Stormers erupted for seven first‑inning runs in Game 1 and never eased off. MATC opened Game 2 with a four‑run first and later broke it open with six in the third and five in the fifth, capping the afternoon with a perfect sendoff in which every sophomore hitter recorded at least one hit and both sophomore pitchers earned a start.

"This sophomore class is the most successful group in a two‑year period that we've had here at MATC softball," Kuntner said. "It was great to be able to honor them with a pregame ceremony."

Game 1: Stormers 12, Elgin 3 (5 Innings)
MATC's all‑sophomore lineup delivered a statement start to Sophomore Day, erupting for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruising to a 12–3 run‑rule win in the opener. The Stormers out‑hit Elgin 13–9, committed zero errors and controlled the game from the opening pitch.

Sophomore right‑hander Nevaeh Folk earned the win in her final home start, working 3.0 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits with one walk and one strikeout. Jordan Hanserd closed out the final two innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

"We've played Elgin a few times and most times they're pretty competitive with us, but I think today everyone just felt that it was their day and their moment to shine on the field," Folk said.

MATC's seven‑run first inning featured four hits, three walks and two Elgin errors. Somer Beckman delivered a two‑RBI single, and Ava D'Acquisto added another two‑RBI single to push the lead to 7–0.

"We all have a great bond, and I think we did this for each other, not just for ourselves today," Beckman said. "It's a great, sad ending to our careers as Stormers."

Elgin opened the second with a solo homer, but MATC answered immediately. Lily Dorado ripped an RBI double and Zoey Murph followed with an RBI single to make it 9–1. The Stormers added a run in the third on a defensive miscue, then stretched the margin to 12–1 in the fourth when Mia Carani lined a one‑out, two‑RBI double, scoring Rylyn Paulick and D'Acquisto.

Elgin plated two in the fifth, but Hanserd secured the final out to seal the run‑rule win.

Beckman went 2‑for‑3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Carani added three hits, including two doubles, with three RBIs and two runs. Paulick reached three times and scored twice. Jayden Moss and Aniesa Neave each singled, with Moss scoring once. Dorado doubled, walked and scored twice. D'Acquisto went 2‑for‑3 with two RBIs and a run. Murph added a single and two RBIs, and Emily Pujanauski doubled and scored.

Game 2: Stormers 15, Elgin 6 (5 Innings)
MATC closed Sophomore Day with another explosive offensive performance, piling up four runs in the first, six in the third and five in the fifth to secure a 15–6 run‑rule win and complete the sweep. All 11 sophomores started for the second straight game, and as the innings progressed, the Stormers gradually subbed in freshmen, which resulted in 18 different hitters appearing in the finale.

Hanserd worked 2.2 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits with one strikeout and no walks. Brooke Peters entered in the third and delivered 2.1 innings of steady relief, giving up one earned run on two hits without a walk.

After a three‑up, three‑down top of the first, MATC struck immediately. Following a lineout by Paulick, the Stormers loaded the bases on a walk, hit‑by‑pitch and another walk. Neave lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 1–0, and Pujanauski followed with a three‑run homer to push the lead to 4–0.

"It was really nice to homer in my final home game," Pujanauski said. "I couldn't have asked for a better day to do it. I told myself I was just going to swing as hard as I could because I wasn't going to go out on a low note."

Elgin answered with a solo homer and two sacrifice flies in the second, then briefly took a 5–4 lead in the third on a two‑out, two‑run homer. Peters entered mid‑inning and recorded the final out to halt the rally.

MATC responded with its biggest swing of the day. With two outs in the bottom of the third, the Stormers erupted for five runs, highlighted by a three‑run homer from Maiya Tearney, reclaiming a 10–5 advantage.

Elgin added a two‑out RBI single in the fourth, but MATC ended the game in the fifth with another surge. The Stormers scored five runs on four hits, aided by two walks and a perfectly executed RBI sacrifice bunt by Alyssa Pavlovich, which brought home Amira Baldon with the run‑rule clincher.

"Going out on Sophomore Day with two mercy‑rule wins is something I could not have asked for anything else," Pujanauski said. "This is the best feeling I could ask for on Sophomore Day."

Pujanauski and Tearney each launched three‑run homers to lead the Stormers. Baldon added a double, an RBI and a run scored. Ellie Brzek collected two singles and an RBI. Murph doubled twice in two plate appearances. Dorado went 1‑for‑2 with an RBI double and a run, and D'Acquisto added a single and an RBI.

UP NEXT
MATC (21–28) is set to begin postseason play on Friday, May 1, opening the NJCAA Region 4 Quarterfinals at the site of the higher seed. First pitch is TBA.