The University of Wisconsin Superior bounced back after a 3-2 extra-inning heartbreaker in game one Saturday morning against Castleton (Vt.) University at North Collier Regional Park as the Yellowjackets came from behind to knock off conference rival Crown College 6-3 in a non-conference match-up in Naples, Florida.

UW-Superior (6-3) scored all of its runs across the middle innings, including plating a four-spot in the fifth to defeat Crown (1-7). Junior infielder Katie White (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes H.S.) went 4-for-4 against the Storm, crossing the plate once and driving in a run with a double. Junior outfielder Cierra Taipale got the scoring started in the third inning with an RBI double in the third, scoring first-year outfielder Sarah Fjeran (Duluth, Minn./Marshall School) from second base. Crown plated three runs in the bottom half of the inning, with Lis King doing much of the damage on a two-run home run.

The Yellowjackets answered back with a run in the top of the fourth, as sophomore second baseman Kayla Hartl (Medford, Wis./Medford Area H.S.) singled home White. Sophomore infielder Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy) continued that momentum as she led off the fifth inning with a home run. First-year infielder Bailey Kinnunen (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) and Taipale followed that up with back-to-back singles, with each coming around to score on a triple by first-year infielder Bobbi Jean Miller (Oak Grove, Minn./St. Francis H.S.). White brought her home on a double to close out the scoring.

First-year hurler Megan Pehrson (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) (3-1) picked up the victory in relief of senior starter Sarah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld H.S.) while striking out eight in 4.1 innings. Hendrickson gave up two earned runs on six hits in 2.2 innings. Marissa Parles (0-2) gave up six earned on nine hits in 5.0 innings for Crown.

Castleon (Vt.) 3, Wis.-Superior 2
Late-game errors cost the Yellowjackets in what was otherwise a cleanly-played game for both teams in game one Saturday against Castleton (4-1). Pehrson dueled with the Spartans' Taylor Paquette, striking out eight more in 6.2 innings, allowing just one unearned run on three hits.

Taipale broke up the matching shutouts with a solo home run in the sixth inning, launching a ball to left center field off Paquette. The Spartans scraped across a run on a Yellowjacket error in the bottom of the seventh to force extras. Hendrickson took over on the mound for the final out of the second and then started the eighth on second base as the international tie-breaker rule took effect. She came around to score on a single by Hartl, giving UWS a lead headed to the bottom of the inning.

Shortstop Sara Baker brought home Castleton's international rule runner after a three-base error from the Yellowjacket infield, and outfielder Kayley Fountain singled home the go-ahead run one batter later to give the Spartans a walk-off winner.

UP NEXT
After an off-day Sunday, UW-Superior continues its Florida stay on Monday with a doubleheader against Manchester (Ind.) University. First pitch is set for 9 a.m. at the Century Link Sports Complex in Fort Myers.