STORM LAKE, Iowa-- The Wartburg softball team (17-5 2-0 A-R-C) opened the conference portion of its schedule in run-rule fashion Sunday against Buena Vista. The Knights won the first game, 13-4 in six innings, and the finale, 11-2 in five innings.

In the opener, the Orange and Black tallied eight runs in their first at-bats, which included three-run doubles by sophomore Leah Campos (Diamond, Ill.) and senior Liz Roby-Miklus (Ankeny). Freshman Sydney Illg (Grimes) had a two-run double in the third and sophomore Megan Ritter (Newton) had an RBI single in the fourth.

In the sixth, junior Emily Smillie (Parker, Colo.) drove in freshman Olivia Brecht (Center Point) on her single to centerfield, and freshman Haley Barkau (Denver) stole home for Wartburg's final run. In the bottom of the frame, BV had bases loaded with two outs. The next batter flew out to left to seal the run-rule victory for the Knights.

Campos and senior Kailee O'Brien (Altoona) each went 3-4 and Campos and Roby-Miklus each had three RBIs. Campos had a career-high two doubles.

In the second game, a similar storyline played out as the Orange and Black led 6-0 in the first. Freshman Jenna Levine (DeKalb, Ill.) had a two-run single to right and sophomore Madison Stoaks (Clive) slugged a grand slam to left.

Illg added a two-run homer in the second, which Buena Vista matched in its next trip to the plate.

An RBI double from Brecht drove in Illg in the fourth and O'Brien drove in the final two runs for Wartburg in the fifth on her double. BV had a one-out single in the fifth, but was left stranded as the next batters flew out to give the run-rule win and the sweep to the visitors.

Illg was 2-3 with a career-best three runs scored and two RBIs. Stoaks had a career-high four RBIs.

Sophomore Maddie Rog (Norridge, Ill.) threw a complete game and fanned four.

Roby-Miklus has now reached base in all 22 games this season, and 26 consecutive games, dating back to 2018.

The Knights return to the field Tuesday when they host No. 11 Coe at 3 p.m.