DETROIT, Mich - The Green Bay softball team returned to conference play today in Detroit with a double-header against the Titans. The Phoenix offense was in full force as they defeated the Titans 5-2 in game one, and exploded for a 16-4 victory in the second game of the twinbill.

After trailing 1-0 in game one, Green Bay (16-8, 2-2) scored four runs in the top of the third before adding an insurance run in the seventh to defeat the Titans (2-21, 0-11) in the opener.

With no outs in the third, Alli Rivera (Geneseo, Ill.) reached base on a fielder's choice scoring Krissy Hanson (Arcadia, Wis.) to tie it up 1-1. Dani Peerenboom (Appleton, Wis.) then smashed an RBI double to left field to give Green Bay the lead.  The Phoenix would add two more runs on a Titan error and a wild pitch.

After Detroit scored an unearned run in the fifth to make it 4-2, Katie Cooney (East Moline, Ill.) drilled a one-out solo home run to left field sealing the 5-2 victory for the Phoenix.

While Cooney had an impressive performance at the plate going 2-4, she also led Green Bay on the mound.  The senior right-hander went six strong innings allowing two runs on five hits to pick up her fourth win on the year.

Green Bay was able to keep the momentum rolling in game two as it scored in every inning but the second. After the Titans scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth off Phoenix pitcher Lauren Beres (New Berlin, Wis.) to close the Green Bay lead to 4-2, the Phoenix responded in a big way. With two outs in the fifth, Peerenboom reached on a Titan error to extend the inning. Cassie Scheel (Hartland, Wis.) then pinch hit for Ashley Billerbeck (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) and crushed a two-run home run to left field in what turned out to be her only plate appearance of the day.

In the sixth, the Phoenix flashed its power once again in belting its second home run of the game. After Cooney singled to drive in a run and Rivera walked, Peerenboom slugged a three-run homer to center field. Behind a Rivera two-run home run in the seventh, Green Bay would go on to add six runs in the frame to complete the double-dip sweep of the Titans.

Melani Niederer (New Munster, Wis.) set the pace for the Phoenix offense in game two by reaching base on all five plate appearances (four hits and a walk), driving in three runs while scoring two, and stealing three bases. All together, Green Bay collected 18 hits in the second game with six different players recording at least two hits.  

Beres threw five innings while giving up only two hits to improve her record to 6-1 on the season.

The Phoenix concludes their three-game series tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. against the Titans.