NIAGARA, Wis. — Looking to pick up a Marinette & Oconto Conference win, the Niagara varsity softball team welcomed Crivitz to town on Thursday.

Despite putting up a valiant fight, the Badgers couldn’t keep pace with the Wolverines and lost 4-1.

“It was a close game all night long,” Niagara head coach Joe Champeau said. “We had one inning, the seventh, where we threw the ball around a little too much, and committed a couple of errors, which allowed Crivitz to pull ahead. I’m very proud of our team’s efforts.

“Crivitz has a heck of a ball club. We consistently put the bat on the ball throughout the night but weren’t able to find holes against their defense.”

The Badgers are now 3-3 overall and 1-3 in conference action. However, their record isn’t phasing coach Champeau.

“As a team I feel like we can compete with anyone that we step on the field to play against,” he said. “We have a solid defense and our batters are making contact.”

Elesia Sweig got the start on the bump for Niagara. Sweig struck out five batters and only allowed one earned run.

“Once again, Sweig threw strikes consistently throughout the night to allow us to compete,” coach Champeau said.

Niagara’s lone run came in the bottom of the fourth inning and it held a 1-0 lead. However, Crivitz kept plugging away and scored one run in the fifth to tie the game.

The Wolverines took the lead in the seventh with a three run inning.

Rachael Walker recorded an RBI while Grace Payette, Aiva Champeau and Emma Broullire all went 1 for 3 at the plate.

The Badgers are back on the field on Monday when they welcome Florence to town at 3:30 p.m.

Report compiled by Daily News sports editor Sean Chase.