Falcon Sports Archive

Six Falcons Named to All-WIAC West Division Team

May 5, 2001

Becky Ahlbrecht (Sr., New Richmond, Wis.), Devanie Bigalk (Fr., White Bear Lake, Minn.), Anna Poulter (Fr., Colfax, Iowa), Amy Brooke (So., Spring Valley, Wis.), Meghann Mulligan (So., Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Angie Garin (So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) were all named to All-WIAC teams.

Shortstop Ahlbrecht, pitchers Bigalk and Brooke and outfielder Poulter were all named to the first team while first baseman Mulligan and outfielder Garin were given honorable mention.

Ahlbrecht, who was named to the first team in 1998 and 2000 while playing at UW-Platteville, led the Falcons in hitting with a .352 average. She had seven doubles and a homer. She scored 12 runs and had 13 RBIs and struck out just three times in 105 official at bats. Ahlbrecht, who batted fourth for the Falcons, had a .448 slugging percentage and a .429 on-base average. She had a .941 fielding average.

Brooke, who was named to the first team last year, led the team with 10 wins and in ERA with a 1.99. She finished 10-12 on the season. She pitched 137.1 innings, allowed 114 hits and 53 runs, 39 were earned. She walked just 35 and struck out 98. She had one save and pitched four shutouts. Opponents hit .218 against her.

Bigalk finished with a 9-5 record and a 2.06 ERA. She pitched 85 innings and allowed 87 hits. She allowed 33 runs, 25 were earned. She pitched two shutouts. She walked 25 and struck out 56. Opponents hit .261 against her.

Poulter was the team's leadoff hitting and played right field. She finished third on the team in hitting with a .297 average. She led the team with 26 runs scored. She had four doubles. She finished with a .328 slugging percentage and a .338 on-base percentage. She also led the team with 10 stolen bases in 14 attempts. She had a .973 fielding percentage.

Mulligan, who hit third in the lineup and was named to the first team last year, finished with a .271 average. She led the team with 21 RBIs, eight doubles and three homers.She scored nine runs and had a .979 fielding average.

Garin, who missed last year with an elbow injury, finished second on the team with a .314 batting average. She scored 11 runs, had two doubles, a team-high two triples and one homer. She finished wtih 12 RBIs, a .419 slugging percentage and a .322 on-base percentage. She stole five bases in 10 attempts and had a .939 fielding percentage.

Fastpitch Squad Loses to UWEC; Eliminated From Tourney

May 4, 2001

The Falcons lost a 2-1 decision to UW-Eau Claire and were eliminated from the WIAC double-elimination tournament Friday afternoon.

The Falcons scored one run on five hits and made one error. UWEC scored two run on eight hits and made one error. UWRF scored its run in the fourth and UWEC scored single runs in the second and fourth innings.

Melissa Turbak was 2-3 wiith a double and RBI. Anna Poulter, Meghann Mulligan and Devanie Bigalk also had hits. Bigalk took the loss on the mound. She started and worked 3.2 innings allowing seven hits and two earned runs. She struck out one. Amy Brooke worked the last 2.1 innings and allowed one hit. She walked one and struck out one.

The Falcons end their season 21-17.

Fastpitch Squad Loses to UWSP, 5-0 at WIAC Tourney

May 4, 2001

The Falcons dropped a 5-0 decision to UW-Stevens Point at the WIAC Tourney on Friday in Duluth, Minn.

UWSP scored five runs on six hits and made one error. The Falcons had six hits and made no errors. UWSP scored two runs in the first and three runs in the seventh.

Lindsey Becker led the Falcons at the plate going 3-3. Becky Ahlbrecht was 2-3. Anna Poulter had the other Falcon hit. Devanie Bigalk started on the mound for the Falcons, now 21-17 overall, and took the loss to drop her record to 9-4. She worked 1.1 innings and allowed two earned runs on two hits. She walked one and struck out two. Amy Brooke pitched the final 5.2 innings. She allowed three earned runs and four hits. She walked two. UWSP pitcher Karen Guckenberger struck out nine Falcons and did not walk a batter in going the distance on the mound.

The Falcons play UW-Eau Claire in the losers bracker of the tourney later today. The loser will be eliminated from the double-elimination tourney.

Fastpitch Squad Blanked By Defending National Champs

May 1, 2001

St. Mary's University, the defending NCAA Division III national champs, blanked UW-River Falls 8-0 in a non-conference matchup Tuesday in Winona, Minn.

Inclement weather washed out the second game of the scheduled doubleheader.

The Falcons (21-16), who suffered their sixth consecutive loss, went a combined 2-for-22 from the plate against Cardinal ace Jill Hocking, a 2000 first team All-America selection. Senior Becky Ahlbrecht (1-for-2) and sophomore Amy Brooke (1-1, 2B) provided UW-RF's lone hits.

Meanwhile, SMU (28-5) collected 11 hits, including five of the extra base variety. Hocking turned in a 2-for-3 plate performance to aid her cause.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning, added a three-spot in the third inning, upped their lead to 7-0 in the fourth frame, and capped the game's scoring with a single fifth-inning score.

UW-RF will return to action Friday when they begin play at the two-day Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, to be hosted by UW-Superior. The Falcons' seed and first-round foe have yet to be determined.

Fastpitch Squad Loses Twice to UWEC

April 29, 2001

The Falcons lost both games to UW-Eau Claire in the second day of the UWRF Tourney played Sunday at Ramer Field.

The Falcons lost the first game, 1-0, and the second game, 5-0.

In the first game against UWEC the Falcons managed just two hits. Devanie Bigalk and Melissa Turbak each singled. The Falcons committed two errors in the field. UWEC scored its one run on nine hits and they made no errors. UWEC scored its run in the third. Bigalk took the pitching loss. She went the distance and allowed one unearned run. She struck out four and didn't walk a batter.

In the second game against the Blugolds the Falcons had six hits and made three errors. UWEC scored five runs on six hits and made no errors. UWEC scored single runs in the first and third innings and scored three times in the fifth. Angie Garin was 3-3 for the Falcons while Cindy Ostertag, Abby Keene and Emily Vogt also had hits. Amy Brooke pitched five innings and took the loss on the mound. She allowed five hits and five runs, but only two were earned. She walked one and struck out five.

On Tuesday the Falcons will play at St. Mary's, Minn., with the first pitch set for 4 p.m.

Fastpitch Squad Drops Two in UWRF Tourney

April 28, 2001

The Falcons lost both games in their own UWRF Tourney played Saturday at Hoffman Park.

The Falcons lost the first game to UW-Stout, 3-2 in eight innings, and the second game to UW-Stevens Point, 2-0.

Against Stout, the Falcons scored two runs on four hits and made one error. The Falcons scored both their runs in the seventh. Stout scored three runs on eight hits and made one error. Stout scored single runs in the first, fourth and eighth. Anna Poulter was 1-3 with a run scored and one RBI. Angie Garin was 1-4 with one RBI. Stout scored the winning run in the eighth when Jessie Ustby was placed on second due to the international tie-breaker rule. She advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single to left by Lindsay Mechelke. Amy Brooke took the pitching loss she worked seven innings and allowed seven hits and two runs, one was earned. She walked one and struck out four.

Against UWSP the Falcons, now 21-13 overall, were help scoreless, had just two hits and made three errors. UWSP scored two runs on five hits and made one error. UWSP scored single runs in the third and fourth innings. Cindy Ostertag and Becky Albrecht each had hits for the Falcons. Brooke went the distance on the mound and took the loss. She is now 10-11 on the year. She allowed two earned runs, walked one and struck out three.

The Falcons will play UW-Eau Claire at 10 a.m. on Sunday in the second day of the UWRF Tourney. The Falcons and Blugolds will then play again at 2 p.m. in the game for third place.

Fastpitch Squad Splits With Mount Senario

April 25, 2001

UW-River Falls coach Faye Perkins earned her 300th career win Wednesday during her team's non-conference twinbill against Mount Senario, but everything didn't come up roses for the Falcons in Ladysmith.

UW-RF (22-11) had its guns blazin' in a 5-1 win over the Fighting Saints in the opener, but fired blanks and committed three errors in the nightcap en route to a 2-1 loss to the home team.

Mout Senario grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning of game two, but the Falcons knotted the count at 1-1 in the fifth frame when freshman Tanya Prochnow doubled and junior Trudy Natterstad, pinch running for Prochnow, scored via a single by junior Lindsey Becker.

The Fighting Saints, however, capped the game's scoring with a single run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Becker (2-for-3, RBI) and Prochnow (1-for-3) paced the Falcons at the plate, as they combined for three of UW-RF's five hits.

Senior Clare Peterson pitched five innings, allowed one run on four hits, fanned five Fighting Saints and walked one. Sophomore Amy Brooke tossed the final three innings, scattered one hit, struck out a trio and walked one.

In the opener, UW-RF seized a 1-0 lead in the top of the first frame, added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings and added icing to the cake with a pair of seventh-inning scores. Mount Senario plated its lone run in the fourth inning.

Senior Becky Ahlbrecht (2-for-3, double, solo HR), freshman Anna Poulter (2-for-4, 2 runs, stolen base) and senior Cindy Ostertag (1-for-3, RBI) led the Falcons at the plate.

Freshman Devanie Bigalk pitched six innings, allowed six hits, struck out six and walked two in gaining the win. Peterson pitched the final inning, gave up one hit, struck out one and walked one.

The Falcons will host UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point in this weekend's UWRF Tourney.

Fastpitch Squad Splits at UW-Stout

April 24, 2001

The Falcons split a WIAC twin bill at UW-Stout Tuesday afternoon when rain halted the second game with UWRF trailing, 3-2.

The Falcons, now 20-10 overall and 5-3 in the WIAC, won the first game, 5-0. The second game was called after four and one-half innings due to rain and lightning and with Stout leading, 3-2.

In the first game the Falcons scored five runs on four hits and made no errors. UWRF scored two runs in the first and second innings and one in the seventh. UW-Stout had four hits and made two errors. Anna Poluter led the Falcons at the plate going 2-4 with a run scored. Cindy Ostertag was 1-2 with a RBI and a run scored. Becky Ahlbrecht and Melissa Turbak both had RBIs. Devanie Bigalk went the distance on the mound for the Falcons to get the win. She is now 8-1 on the season. She allowed just the four hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out four.

In the second game the Falcons had two runs on eight hits and made no errors. The Falcons scored both their runs in the first. Stout had three runs on six hits and had no errors. Stout scored their three runs in the third. Poulter was 2-3 with a run scored. Meghann Mulligan was 1-2 wtih a RBI. Cindy Ostertag was 2-2, and Emily Vogt had a RBI. Amy Brooke pitched four innings and took the loss for the Falcons. She is now 10-8 this year. She allowed the six hits and three earned runs. She walked two and struck out three.

The Falcons will host UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point in this weekend's UWRF Tourney.

Fastpitch Squad Splits at UWEC Tourney

April 21, 2001

The Falcons split two games at the UW-Eau Claire Tournament on Saturday and were rained out of a pair of games at the tourney on Sunday.

The Falcons opened with a 7-5 loss to St. Scholastica, but rebounded to beat Illinois Wesleyan, 8-5.

Against CSS the Falcons scored five runs on eight hits and made five errors. CSS scored seven runs on five hits and made four errors. UWRF scored once in the third and four times in the fifth. CSS scored two runs in the first, fourth and seventh innings and once in the third. Melissa Terbak was 3-4 with one RBI and Cindy Ostertag was 2-4 with a run scored and one RBI. Angie Garin was 1-3 with a run scored and three RBIs. Amy Brooke started on the mound and worked four and 1/3 innings. She took the loss. She allowed five runs, only three were earned. She allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four.

In the 8-5 win over IWU, which was ranked 15th in the latest Div. III NFCA poll, the Falcons had eight runs on 13 hits and no errors while IWU scored five runs on eight hits and made two errors. UWRF scored two runs in the third and fourth innings, one in the fifth and three in the seventh. IWU scored three in the first and single runs in the third and fourth. Garin was 3-4 with a run scored and two RBIs. Turbak was 1-4 with two RBIs. Meghann Mulligan was 3-4 with a run scored and one RBI. Anna Poulter was 2-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Becky Albrecht was 1-4 with a run scored. Clare Peterson picked up the win on the mound. She worked three innings in relief and allowed just one hit. She walked one and struck out two.

Tuesday the Falcons play a WIAC doubleheader at UW-Stout with the first pitch set for 4 p.m.

Fastpitch Squad Splits Pair With UW-Superior Yellowjackets

April 19, 2001

UW-River Falls split a WIAC West Division doubleheader with UW-Superior Thursday evening at Ramer Field.

UW-RF (18-8, 4-2) blanked the Yellowjackets 4-0 in the opener, but Superior (8-14, 2-2) rebounded to edge the Falcons 3-1 in an eight-inning nightcap.

In the second game, the score was knotted at 1-1 heading into the top of the eighth frame, but the 'Jackets plated a pair of runs in their half of the inning and shut the Falcons down in the bottom half.

Both teams scored one run in the fourth inning. Superior collected nine hits to the Falcons' five and committed no errors to the Falcons' four.

Meghann Mulligan and Anna Poulter both went 2-for-4 at the plate to pace the Falcons. Amy Brooke, who tossed 7.1 frames, was tagged with the loss.

In the opener, UW-RF took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, added one run in the fifth and two more in the sixth.

Angie Garin, who tripled, batted 2-for-3 to lead all Falcon hitters, while Lindsey Becker went 1-for-1. The Falcons connected for seven hits as a team.

Brooke hurled a complete-game no-hitter, as she struck out five and walked two.

The Falcons will return to action Saturday, when they begin play at the two-day UW-Eau Claire Tournament.

Falcon Fastpitch Squad Splits With Eau Claire

April 17, 2001

After dropping a 6-0 decision to UW-Eau Claire in the opener of a WIAC West Division twinbill Tuesday at Ramer Field, UW-River Falls edged the Blugolds 3-1 in the nightcap to earn a split.

UW-RF now owns a 15-7 overall record and 1-1 WIAC mark, while UW-EC is 17-7 with a 2-2 league record.

In the second contest, the Falcons opened up a 3-1 lead after four innings, as they tallied one run in the second, another in the third and another in the fourth. The Blugolds plated their only run of the game in the fifth inning, when Danyell Smith connected for a home run.

The Falcons tagged UW-EC starter Jessica Sharpe for nine hits in 3.1 innings, and connected for two hits against reliever Leah Schlegelmich. Melissa Turback led UW-RF at the plate with a 3-for-3 showing, Becky Ahlbrecht went 2-for-3 and Anna Poulter hit 2-for-4. Ahlbrecht and Poulter both doubled.

Devanie Bigalk hurled a complete game for the Falcons. She struck out one, walked one and the only hit she scattered was Smith's homer.

In the opener, UW-EC plated three second-frame runs to jump in front 3-0, before rounding out their scoring with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth.

Blugold starter Kim Czalpa, who fanned seven and walked none in seven innings of work, allowed the Falcons only two hits. Cindy Ostertag and Poulter, who both went 1-for-3 at the plate, accounted for UW-RF's lone hits. Poulter's hit was a double.

Amy Brooke tossed the first six innings for the Falcons, scattering 10 hits, allowing five earned runs, striking out one and walking one. Clare Peterson, who pitched the final inning for UW-RF, allowed one hit, walked struck out none and walked none.

UW-RF will return to action Wednesday, when they host UW-La Crosse in a WIAC West Division tilt slated to begin at 3 p.m. on Ramer Field.

Falcon Fastpitch Squad Sweeps St. Olaf

April 13, 2001

UW-River Falls improved its season record to 14-6 and upped its winning streak to seven games with a two-game sweep of St. Olaf Friday afternoon at Ramer Field.

The Falcons downed the Oles 5-1 in the opener, before pounding the visitors 9-1 in the nightcap.

In the second game, UW-RF took a 1-0 lead after one inning, then used a five-run second stanza to extend its lead to 6-1. The Falcons added two runs in the fifth inning and another in the sixth frame. After UW-RF's final score, the came was terminated due to the eight-run rule.

Becky Ahlbrecht, Lindsey Becker, Meghann Mulligan and Anna Poulter each went 2-for-4 at the plate in the second game. Abby Keene batted 1-for-2. Mulligan collected three RBIs, while Keene, Cindy Ostertag and Poulter each scored two runs. The Falcons connected for 11 hits as a team.

Devanie Bigalk picked up the victory, as she gave up two hits, allowed no earned runs, struck out three batters and walked none in four innings of work. Clare Peterson pitched two innings in relief, striking out two of the six batters she faced and allowing no hits.

In the first game, the Falcons and Oles were tied at 1-1 after two innings, but UW-RF erupted to tally four runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Ostertag led the Falcons at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance, while Angie Garin and Emily Vogt both went 2-for-3.

Amy Brooke pitched a complete game for the Falcons. She allowed seven hits, gave up no earned runs, fanned five and walked one.

Falcon Fastpitch Squad Tunes Hamline Pipers

April 6, 2001

With a two-game sweep of Hamline on the road Thursday, UW-River Falls improved its season record to 10-6.

The Falcons tipped the Pipers 5-2 in the night cap, after pounding the home team 7-1 in the opener.

UW-RF started the second half of the twinbill off with a bang, as it seized a 3-0 lead after the first frame. Freshman Anna Poulter provided a lead-off double, then senior Cindy Ostertag reached on an error. After sophomore Meghann Mulligan moved Poulter and Ostertag over to third and second, respectively with a groundout, senior Becky Ahlbrecht drove in Poulter with a suicide squeeze. Ostertag then scored on a junior Lindsey Becker single, before Becker scored on a wild pitch to up the Falcons' edge to 3-zip.

The Falcons left the bases juiced in the third inning, then stranded one runner in the fourth. In that time, Hamline managed to cut the gap to 3-2.

With the bases loaded and two out in the Hamline half of the fifth, the Falcons' sophomore ace, Amy Brooke relieved starter Devanie Bigalk, a freshman. Brooke forced a Piper groundout to get out of the jam.

UW-RF left another runner on base in its portion of the fifth inning, then iced the game in the sixth with a pair of runs. Sophomore Angie Garin smacked a lead-off homer, then freshman Melissa Turbak, who had singled, scored when Ostertag singled.

Ahlbrecht went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Garin went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Bigalk earned the mound win, while Brooke picked up the save.

In the opener, the teams played to a 1-1 stalemate after one stanza before the Falcons flew away for the victory. UW-RF plated two runs in the third and one in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

Poulter went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Brooke went 2-for-4 with a ribbie, Mulligan hit 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI. Mulligan's dinger was her third of the season. Brooke earned the win on the mound.

The Falcons are scheduled to host UW-La Crosse on Sunday at Ramer Field with action starting at 1 p.m.

Falcons Finish 4-1 at Illinois Tourney

April 2, 2001

The Falcons finished with a 4-1 record at the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament held last weekend.

UWRFV teamed up for a 35-for-125 (.280) performance at the plate, which included four triples and a pair of Meghann Mulligan over-the-fence dingers.

UW-RF's pitching staff of freshman Devanie Bigalk, sophomore Amy Brooke and
senior Clare Peterson allowed nine earned runs and 22 hits in 33 innings of work. Bigalk, Brooke and Peterson fanned a combined 27 adversaries and issued 12 free passes to first base.

"I was exceptionally pleased with how we played," said Falcon coach Faye Perkins, whose troops improved to 8-6. "I'm still looking for the right combinations in a couple of positions, but we're starting to come together and play good ball."

After dropping its first three foes at the tourney, UW-RF suffered a 5-0 blanking to host Illinois Wesleyan before capping the event with a 6-4 come-from-behind win over WIAC opponent UW-Superior.

In the bottom of the third with Superior leading, 4-2, Mulligan connected for her second
round-tripper of the tournament. This one left the field with one Falcon duck on the pond and knotted the score at 4-4.

"Meghann had never hit a ball out of the park before in her life," Perkins said. "Interestingly enough, she did it twice in one day. It's kind of like breaking a barrier: once you do it, you realize it's not impossible."

With the score still knotted at 4-all in the Falcons' half of the seventh inning, Mulligan provided more heroics.

The sophomore first-baseman drilled a two-RBI double to lift UW-RF to victory. Mulligan went 3-for-4 in the contest with four ribbies.

Bigalk, who relieved Peterson in the third stanza, earned the mound win. Bigalk, who faced 18 batters, allowed one hit, struck out six and walked none in five innings of work.

"The tourney is a huge confidence booster for us," Perkins said. "We really saw we have the ability to crush the ball, which in the past has been a concern for the team."

The Falcons are scheduled to host UW-La Crosse in a WIAC doubleheader at Ramer Field on Wednesday with the first pitch set for 3 p.m. Thursday the Falcons will play Hamline at the Augsburg Dome starting at 2 p.m. Saturday the Falcons play at the two-day UW-Stout Tournament.

Falcons Open Season 2-3 in Florida

March 22, 2001

The Falcons have started their season with a 2-3 record after three days of play in Orlando, Fla.

On Sunday the Falcons lost to Springfield, 5-0 and Rowan, 4-1. Monday the Falcons played one game and beat Trinity, 4-3. On Tuesday the Falcons beat Mt. Vernon, 2-1 and lost to Alleghney, 2-1.

Against Springfield, the Falcons had three hits and made two errors. Springfield had five runs on nine hits and made two errors. Springfield scored two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth. Cindy Ostertag (1-2), Lindsey Becker (1-3), including a double, and Anna Poulter (1-3) got the three Falcon hits. Amy Brooke took the pitching loss. She worked five innings and allowed five runs, three earned, on eight hits. She walked four and struckout five.

Against Rowan, the Falcons scored one run on six hits and made three errors. Rowan had four runs on just five hits and made one error. The Falcons scored in the third. Rowan scored single runs in the fourth and sixth and two in the fifth. Abby Keene was 2-3 with a run scored. Poulter was 1-2 with an RBI. Becker and Becky Ahlbrecht were each 1-3 with a double. Clare Peterson took the pitching loss. She worked 5 2/3 innings, walked six and struckout two.

In the 4-3 win over Trinity, the Falcons had 10 hits and made four errors. Trinity had three hits and made three errors. The Falcons scored two runs in the first and fourth and Trinity scored three times in the seventh. Albrecht was 3-4 at the plate with an RBI double. Meghann Mulligan was 2-4 and Becker was 1-3 with a double and a RBI. Brooke got the pitching win allowing just three hits.

Albrecht led the Falcons in the team's 2-1 win over Mt. Vernon. She was 3-3 at the plate with a RBI and a run scored. Poulter was 1-2 wtih a run scored and Tanya Prochnow was 1-2 with a RBI. Brooke got the pitching win. She worked all seven innings and allowed just the one earned run on six hits. She walked just one and struckout four. The Falcons scored single runs in the first and fourth innings and Mt. Vernon scored in the fourth.

Against Alleghney, the Falcons had one run on seven hits and made four errors. Alleghney scored two runs on just four hits and made two errors. UWRF scored in the first and Alleghney scored single runs in the first and third. Becker was 2-2 at the plate. Albrecht was 1-2 with a RBI adn Poulter was 1-4 with a run scored and she stole two bases. Devanie Bigalk took the pitching loss. She worked four innings and allowed one earned run. He struckout one and walked none. The game was delayed in the fourth by rain.