EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)— The UW-Eau Claire Softball team picked up a pair of wins against UW-Superior Wednesday evening in the Blugolds' final double header of conference play this season.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Video Recap
The Blugolds were first on the board in game one as they put up a single run in the bottom of the 1st inning. Senior leaders stepped up to give Eau Claire big hits. Taylor Pierce (Sr.-Ashwaubenon, WI) took a first pitch and turned it into a triple to be hit in by Casey Arnold (Sr.-Kaukauna, WI) with a single up the middle on the next play.
UW-Eau Claire put runners on the bases in every inning thanks to several extra base hits but were unable to capitalize on an opportunity. The game turned in the 4th inning when the Blugolds tacked on three runs. Kenzie Winning (So.-Waupun, WI) started the momentum after she sent a line drive single to the outfield. A Kelsey Meredith (So.-Golden Valley, MN/Armstrong) blooper to right field scored Winning and put herself on first base. With only one out and a 3-2 count, Amanda Fischer (Sr.-Wausau, WI/West) did what she does best and ripped a shot over the outfield fence to score two. The Blugolds would lead 4-0 at the end of four innings.
UW-Superior threatened to take a lead in the 5th inning as they scored three runs to come within one of the Blugolds. But UW-Eau Claire was too much for the Yellowjacket defense and, thanks to Deanna Gilane (Sr.-South Milwaukee, WI) and a two run homerun in the 6th, took game one 6-3.
The Yellowjackets struck right away in game two as they planted a single run in the 1st inning. Rachel Heffel (So.-Racine, WI/Case) helped the Blugolds get two runs in the 2nd when she reached first on a base hit bunt and advance to 3rd off of two Superior errors. Winning then sent a ball up the middle to score Heffel. She then stole 2nd base before Pierce's ground ball down the right line would get her home.
UW-Superior would tie the game up at two runs apiece in the 5th inning but UW-Eau Claire answered back in the 6th on a rally lead by Winning. Her double to left field set up Fischer to put down a base hit bunt to score the go ahead run. Fischer would score the final run of the game with a 5-2 end.
Winning was the star from the plate, going 4-for-6 with two doubles and two stolen bases. Leah Wolff (So.-Middleton, WI) added two doubles of her own while going 3-for-7. Other Blugolds with big days were Meredith, who went 4-for-6, and Arnold, going 3-for-6.
Laura Raflik (Sr. Plover, WI/Pacelli) was the winning pitcher in game two, giving up one earned run on five hits while walking none and striking out five.
The Blugolds hit the road for four more non-conference games before heading into the WIAC tournament May 1-3. UW-Eau Claire faces St. Scholastica and Northland on Sunday, April 26 and St, Mary's University on Monday, April 27. They finish their conference season at 13-3.
-MRW-