MEMPHIS, Tenn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team opened its 2023 season with a 6-4 defeat to Rhodes College at the Rhodes Classic on Friday. The Blugolds fell into an early deficit and despite a late push, couldn't quite climb out of the hole.
Rhodes took an early lead by plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. They scored all three runs with two outs in the frame, crossing the plate on an RBI bunt, an RBI single and an error. The Lynx tacked on one run apiece in the second and third innings on a sacrifice fly and an RBI double, respectively, to build a 5-0 lead.
The Blugolds scored their first run of the season in the top of the fourth. Walter Johnson (So. – Minnetonka, Minn.) singled with two outs, and he later came into score on an error. Matt Melendez (So. – River Grove, Ill./Notre Dame College Prep) earned the RBI.
UW-Eau Claire kept chiseling away by scoring once in the fifth and again in the sixth. Nate Witte (Jr. – Woodbury, Minn./East Ridge) bashed an RBI triple with two outs to bring home David Janssen (Jr. – Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) in the fifth, and the Blugolds scored in the sixth after Melendez crossed the plate on a passed ball.
Rhodes scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with a run-scoring double to make it a 6-3 game. The Blugolds made it a two-run game by plating a run on an RBI double by Jacob Buysse (Fr. – Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) in the top of the eighth. The Blugolds loaded the bases with one out in the frame, but the Lynx escaped without any further damage and a 6-4 lead intact.
UW-Eau Claire brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning, but couldn't complete a late rally.
Johnson and Drew Salyers (So. – Centennial, Colo./Arapahoe) both went 3 for 5 to pace the Blugolds' offense. UW-Eau Claire tallied 11 hits compared to 12 for Rhodes.
PJ Ford (Fr. – Arlington Heights, Ill./Rolling Meadows) started on the mound and threw three innings. He allowed four earned runs. Joe Clinton (So. – Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail) pitched three frames in relief, held the Lynx to one run and struck out three. Edgar Barba (Fr. – Aurora, Ill./East Aurora) threw two scoreless innings and struck out two.
The Blugolds continue action at the Rhodes Classic on Saturday, Feb. 18, with a game against Wabash. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
