Softball
Pitcher: Lauren Blasczyk, Pitcher, Sophomore, Appleton, WI/East
Blasczyk went 3-1 in four appearances this week, her only loss coming in a relief appearance against conference-leading UW-La Crosse, as the Blugolds went 4-2 in conference play this week and are in sole possession of second place entering the final week of conference play. In a 2-1 victory against UW-River Falls Blasczyk pitched all seven innings scattering three hits while allowing no earned runs striking out two Falcon batters in addition to recording zero walks. Blasczyk needed just five innings as the Blugolds handed UW-La Crosse their first conference loss of the season in a 12-2 five-inning victory in the first game of a doubleheader with the Eagles. Blasczyk allowed just three hits against the Eagles allowing zero earned runs while striking out three batters with no walks. Blasczyk was not done with the Eagles as she was brought in to pitch in the top of the seventh inning to end a La Crosse rally and force the game into extra innings. Tied 7-7 in the top of the eighth inning the Eagles scored two earned runs off Blasczyk. La Crosse held Eau Claire scoreless in the bottom of the eighth to preserve the 9-7 victory. Blasczyk started the first game the following day in a doubleheader against UW-Platteville allowing one earned runs in two innings as the Blugolds defeated the Pioneers 9-1 in five innings. For the week Blasczyk posted a 3-1 record pitching 15.1 innings allowing four earned runs for an earned-run average of 2.35. Blasczyk allowed 12 hits, only three going for extra bases, while striking out seven batters against one walk.
Fisher continues to be red-hot from the plate as the Blugolds went 4-2 in conference play and are in sole possession of second place entering the final week of conference play. In a doubleheader split against UW-River Falls Fischer had just one hit, a triple coming in game one, but was walked three time. In a doubleheader split against conference leader UW-La Crosse Fischer put on an impressive performance from the plate going for a combined five-of-six from the plate including three runs-batted in and two stolen bases. In a five inning 12-2 victory over the Eagles Fischer was a perfect three-of-three from the plate including a three-run home run, scored two runs while being walked once and earning a stolen base. The following day in a doubleheader sweep over UW-Platteville Fischer again went five-of-six from the plate collecting three runs batted in, scored two runs and stole two bases. Opening the day with a 9-1 victory in five innings Fischer went three-of-three from the plate which included a solo home run and two one-run RBI singles in addition to scoring two runs, stealing one base and being walked once. For the week Fischer went 11-of-16 (.688) from the plate which included two home runs, two triples and one double while knocking in seven RBI’s. Fischer scored six runs while being walked five times and stealing five bases. Fischer posted an on-base percentage of .773 and a slugging percentage of 1.375.
Men’s Tennis
Andrew Rust, Freshman, Golden Valley, MN/Hopkins
Rust went 2-1 in singles play and 3-0 in doubles action as the Blugolds went 1-2 against WIAC teams to wrap up regular season dual play. In a 5-4 dual meet loss to UW-La Crosse Rust came back after losing the first set to defeat Tony Mirasola at No. 3 singles 6-7, 6-3, 7-5 while teaming up with Will Weyenberg to defeat Nick Skanavis and Dante Pitera at No. 2 doubles 9-7. In a 9-0 dual meet victory over UW-Oshkosh Rust bumped up to play No. 2 singles where he defeated Aidan Sauberlich in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 while joining forces with Weyenberg to defeat Vincent Gorski and Adam Martin 8-2. In an 8-1 loss to UW-Whitewater Rust and Weyenberg earned the only match victory for the Blugolds against the Warhawks defeating Jake Humphreys and Cam Laktash at No. 2 doubles 8-4. At No. 2 singles Rust suffered his only setback of the weekend falling to Michael Tries 6-0, 6-2. The Blugolds end regular season dual meet play with an overall record of 17-7.
Women’s Tennis
Paige Kuepers, Junior, Green Bay, WI/Southwest
Kuepers was a major factor in two Blugold dual meet victories this past weekend. In a 9-0 dual meet victory over the College of St. Scholastica (MN) Kuepers defeated Miki Samz at No. 5 singles 6-3, 6-3 while teaming up with partner Renee Nelson to defeat Alexia Bracugli and Katie Kinston at No. 3 doubles 8-1. In a 9-0 victory over UW-River Falls Kuepers defeated Lea Zuern at No. 5 singles 6-2, 6-1 while Kuepers and Nelson again won at No. 3 doubles defeating Zuern and Kelsy Johnson 8-0. The Blugolds will enter the WIAC AQ Tournament with an overall dual meet record of 14-4 including a perfect 5-0 mark at home.
Field: Greg Peterson, Multi, Senior, Hartland, WI/Arrowhead
Peterson won first place at the Phil Esten Challenge hosted by UW-La Crosse and in the process produced the top point total posted this season at NCAA Division III with 6,692 points. Peterson recorded six top-three finishes including first place performances in the 110-meter hurdles (15.27 seconds) and the 1,500-meter run (4:27.95) while finishing second in the 400-meter dash (49.63 seconds) and the pole vault (13-9.25 feet) along with third place finishes in the long jump (6.57 meters) and shot put (37-3.75 feet).
Track: Thurgood Dennis, Sprints/400, Senior, Allouez, WI/Green Bay Notre Dame
Dennis ran away from the competition at the Phil Esten Challenge hosted by UW-La Crosse winning both the 100 and 200-meter dashes in a big way. Dennis won the 100 with the top recorded time in NCAA Division III posting a time of 10.47 seconds. Dennis also won the 200 clocking in at 21.35 seconds just .01 of a second off the top recorded time in NCAA Division III this season. It was the first time this outdoor season Dennis as ran the 100 and 200.
Women’s Track and Field
Field: Sarah Glidden, Sprints/400/Jumps, Sophomore, Greenville, WI/Hortonville
Glidden set a school record while finishing second in the heptathlon at the Phil Esten Challenge hosted by UW-La Crosse. Glidden posted three top-two finishes winning the high jump (5-7.75 feet) and 200-meter dash (25.53 seconds) while placing second in the 100-meter hurdles (14.87 seconds). Glidden earned a total of 4,785 points to break the previous school record of 4,636 points set by Kelsey Weigel on May 15, 2013. Her heptathlon score currently ranks her third nationally. Glidden’s heptathlon performance in the high jump of 5-7.75 feet (1.72 meters) tied her for the third-highest jump in NCAA Division III this season and is just 0.25 inches off tying the school record of 5-8 (1.73 meters) set by Arlene Meinholz and Julia Baranek.
Track: Carly Fehler, Sprints/Long Jump, Senior, Oak Creek, WI
Fehler earned first place honors in the 100 and 20-meter dashes at the Phil Esten Challenge hosted by UW-La Crosse. Fehler won the 200 posting the fastest time in NCAA Division III with a time of 24.52 seconds. Fehler also won the 100 finishing the race in 11.86 seconds. Her time in the 100 currently ranks third nationally in NCAA Division III.