PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire softball team split at UW-Platteville, dropping game one 2-1 before bouncing back to win game two 13-4 today.
In game one, Platteville scored runs in the third and fifth innings to take a 2-0 lead. In the top of the sixth, the Blugolds scored one run but left three runners on base the rest of the game as Platteville recorded its first win over Eau Claire since May 2, 2003.
With one out and runners on second and third, Deanna Gilane (Fr.-South Milwaukee, Wis.) singled through the left side, allowing Emily Muller (Sr.-Lancaster, Wis.) to score the Blugolds' lone run in the sixth.
Taylor Pierce (Fr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) led the game with three hits, two singles and a double. As a team, the Blugolds recorded eight hits.
Emma Wishau (So.-Waterford, Wis./Union) pitched six innings and recorded one strikeout as she faced 24 batters. She gave up five hits and dropped to 4-4 on the season.
In game two, the Blugolds' bats were hot as they finished with a season-high 13 runs and 16 hits, scoring runs in every inning. The 13 runs tied for the 45th most in a game in program history.
The Blugolds built a 9-0 lead by the fifth inning but Platteville avoided the game being ended early by scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning. Eau Claire then scored one run in the sixth to take a 10-4 lead before finishing with three more in the seventh.
Casey Arnold (Fr.-Kaukauna, Wis.) and Jess Freagon (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) recorded homers. Arnold hit a two-run shot to left field in the fourth while Freagon drove in all three runs in the seventh with a homer to left field.
Freagon led the game with five RBI while she and Sarah Fern (Jr.-Brooklyn Center, Minn./Park Center) had four hits apiece to lead the game. Muller scored a game-high three runs while a total of eight different Blugolds crossed home plate.
Ashley Meinen (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) recorded the win as she pitched four innings. She allowed just three hits and struck out one batter while facing 16. Emily Ruegemer (So.-St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) and Laura Raflik (Fr.-Plover, Wis./Pacelli) also saw time in the circle.
Eau Claire is now 11-7 on the season and 3-1 in the conference. Platteville is 11-9 overall and 3-1 in the WIAC.
Wednesday the Blugolds will play in a doubleheader at UW-River Falls. Game one will get underway at 3 p.m.
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