MILWAUKEE -- The Alverno College softball team fell to Benedictine University, 12-2, in five innings in the first game of its Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader at the Inferno's home field on Monday.

Game two was called off on account of a heavy rain/snow mix that began falling during the fourth inning of the first game. A make-up date has yet to be set.

The Inferno (2-11, 0-7 NAC) found themselves in a hole early in the game, as the visiting Eagles posted three runs on two hits in the first inning with a home run coming off the bat of right fielder Erin Galloway. After Benedictine built up a 12-0 lead with the help of an eight-run effort at the top of the fifth inning, Alverno was finally able to get on the board with two runs off four hits.

Freshman left fielder Andrea Derrick (Greenfield, Wis.) and senior catcher Rebecca Schmid (Tigerton, Wis.) both reached on singles, and Derrick was later sent home on an RBI single by senior pitcher Jessica Goetz (Milwaukee, Wis./Greendale Martin Luther). Schmid later scored the Inferno's second run as a ball hit off the bat of senior centerfielder Melissa Bankenbush (Franksville, Wis./Union Grove) hit the Eagles' pitcher in the back and rolled to the first baseman for the tag on Bankenbush, allowing Schmid time to reach home plate.

Goetz picked up the loss in the circle for the Inferno, giving up 11 hits with three strikeouts. However, she led the team at the plate with two hits. Senior third baseman Andrea Spindler (Greendale, Wis.) and freshman first baseman Calan Hess (Franklin, Wis.) also added one hit apiece.

Alverno will continue Northern Athletics Conference play at home with a doubleheader against Lakeland College on Tuesday, April 14. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.