ASHLAND, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire softball team won two games today, defeating the College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) 11-10 and Northland College 10-1 in five innings at LumberJill Field in Ashland.
In game one, the Blugolds were down 10-7 heading into the seventh inning but Eau Claire scored four runs in the top of the inning and then held the Saints scoreless in the bottom of the inning to win 11-10.
Jess Freagon (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) kicked off the seventh with a double and Nikki Bromelkamp (Sr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa) followed with another double, scoring Freagon. Later in the inning with just one out, Jenny Hess (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Lincoln) reached on an error and Bromelkamp found her way home to get the Blugolds within one run. Taylor Pierce (Fr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) then singled, which allowed Hess and Emily Ruegemer (So.-St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) to score and gave the Blugolds the 11-10 lead.
Bromelkamp led the game with four RBI while she had three hits to lead the Blugolds. Eau Claire finished with a total of 15 hits. Three Blugolds each had two runs.
Laura Raflik (Fr.-Plover, Wis./Pacelli) recorded the win in the circle as she pitched 1.2 innings. She struck out one batter and gave up just three hits and three runs. Ashley Meinen (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) started the game and pitched 5.1 innings.
In game two, the Blugolds scored at least one run in each inning and were able to end the game early after getting up by nine runs after five innings.
Hess, Emily Haluska (Jr.-Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) and Freagon scored runs in the first, second and third innings, respectively, to give Eau Claire a 3-0 advantage.
The Blugolds then scored four runs in the fourth. Emily Muller (Sr.-Lancaster, Wis.) and Pierce crossed home plate after Amanda Fischer (Fr.-Wausau, Wis./West), doubled and Fischer then scored following a Freagon triple. Freagon then came home after a Bromelkamp at-bat that ended in a ground out.
In the fifth inning with the Blugolds up 7-0, Sarah Fern (Jr.-Brooklyn Center, Minn./Park Center) hit a two-run homer, scoring Deanna Gilane (Fr.-South Milwaukee, Wis.). Courtney Nelson (Fr.-Mosinee, Wis./SPASH) scored later in the inning after a Ruegemer single and the Blugolds took a 10-0 lead. Northland scored one run in the bottom of the inning but the Blugolds were able to finish the game with two straight outs. Northland left two runners on bases.
Fern led the game with three RBI and three hits as the Blugolds finished with 14.
Emma Wishau (So.-Waterford, Wis./Union) earned the win as she faced 22 batters and gave up just six hits while striking out five.
Eau Claire is now 14-8 on the season.
Thursday the Blugolds will be back in action at home, taking on UW-Stout in a doubleheader. The first game at Gelein Field will get underway at 4 p.m.
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