The University of Wisconsin Superior rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth inning in game two but saw North Central (Ill.) College answer back in the final frames to keep the Yellowjackets winless on the day with a 5-4 walk-off victory at North Collier Regional Park in Naples, Florida. Earlier in the day, UW-Superior (5-7) fell to Ave Maria University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

After a quiet opening inning, North Central (5-5) hit the first of several ground-rule doubles for both teams on the day and turned it into a second-inning lead. The Cardinals tacked on a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third after a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt put runners on the corner.

The Yellowjackets did all of their damage on the day in the sixth inning, with junior outfielder Ciarra Taipale (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld H.S.) drawing a one-out walk to start the rally. Sophomore outfielder Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy) singled through the right side, and junior infielder Katie White (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes H.S.) ripped a double to right-cneter field, bringing home first-year pinch runner Maggie Cragg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park H.S.). White and Patrick would score moments later on a two-run single from first-year infielder Bailey Kinnunen (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.). Sophomore catcher Gabby Gidley (Superior, Wis./Superior H.S.) lifted a ground rule double of her own to bring home Kinnunen, giving UWS a two-run lead.

North Central scraped together four singles in the bottom of the inning to tie the score. After Taipale was stranded at second after a double in the top of the seventh, pinch-hitter Sarah Esposito led off the bottom of the inning with yet another ground rule double. After an intentional walk and a fielder's choice without an out that filled the bases, designated hitter Samantha Phelps hit a towering flyball that found the outfield grass for a game-winning walk-off single.

Senior right-handed pitcher Sarah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld H.S.) (2-5) suffered a pair of defeats on the day, throwing 6.1 innings in game two, allowing four earned runs while striking out two. She left game one surrendering three earned runs on four hits in 1.1 innings. First-year righty Megan Pehrson (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) tossed the rest of the game against Ave Maria (17-9), striking out two in 5.2 shutout innings.

The Gyrenes scored two in the first and three in the second before Sadie Mosher (3-2) did the rest of the work, striking out eight in a complete game, four-hit shutout.

UP NEXT
After an off day Wednesday, the Yellowjackets have a pair of rematches on the docket. UW-Superior will take on Crown College in game one Thursday followed by its third of four games against Manchester (Ind.) University later that afternoon. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. at the Century Link Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Florida.