LA CROSSE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire softball team recorded two wins over UW-La Crosse at North Campus Field today, winning game one 5-1 and game two 3-2.
The Blugolds, who have won four straight, swept UW-La Crosse for the first time since 2007. Eau Claire is now 20-10 on the season and 8-2 in conference play. The Eagles drop to 18-9 overall and 3-5 in the WIAC.
In game one, the Blugolds scored all five of their runs in the top of the third inning.
After Jenny Hess (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Lincoln) scored on a throwing error by the catcher, the Blugolds proceeded to load the bases with two outs. Nikki Bromelkamp (Sr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa) then came up and hit a grand slam to left field, bringing home Amanda Fischer (Fr.-Wausau, Wis./West), Courtney Nelson (Fr.-Mosinee, Wis./SPASH) and Emily Muller (Sr.-Lancaster, Wis.).
While the Eagles scored one run in the bottom for the third, the Blugolds were able to keep a four-run lead the rest of the way.
Eau Claire finished with 10 hits, four of which came from Fischer, but had three errors while La Crosse had two.
Emma Wishau (So.-Waterford, Wis./Union) pitched the entire game, her 12th complete game of the year, and threw two strikeouts. She allowed just four hits and improved to 8-6 overall.
In game two, the Blugolds took a 2-0 lead in the second inning and built a 3-0 lead by the fourth inning before La Crosse was able to score its two runs.
In the top of the second, Jess Freagon (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) hit a two-run homer, scoring Fischer. Emily Haluska (Jr.-Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) then found her way home in the fourth inning after Hess singled to center.
La Crosse scored one run in the bottom of the fourth and scored again in the sixth after an Eau Claire error. Despite having two runners on base in the final inning, the Blugolds were able to get the final out to hold on for the 3-2 win.
Hess led the game with three hits while the Blugolds had a total of nine.
Ashley Meinen (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) pitched the complete game, striking out five batters and allowing just two hits. She improved to 8-3 on the season.
Saturday the Blugolds will be in De Pere to face St. Norbert College in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
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