By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, WI (Blugolds.com)- In front of a big crowd and on a perfect day for softball, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team took two from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Saturday afternoon at Gelein field.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photos
The Blugolds started the scoring in the first game after excellent execution to manufacture a run. Sam Noetzelman (Jr.-Delano, MN) singled to the left side of the infield to get the ball rolling. Evie Schaller (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI then sacrificed her over to second. Noetzleman then stole third, before Brooke Varian (Fr.-Madison, WI/West) drove her in to give Eau Claire the lead.
The Warhawks were held quiet until the third inning, when an error allowed just the second Whitewater base runner of the day. The following batter, Cait Catino, took advantage of the error and took Zana Lorbetske (Sr.-Rhinelander, WI/Three Lakes) deep for a two-run home run to give the Warhawks the lead.
Down by a run, and facing the WIAC leader in wins and strikeouts in Julia Camardo, the Blugolds were faced with a tough task, however, they found a breakthrough in the fifth inning. Rachel Heffel (Jr.-Racine, WI/Case) drew a walk and was advanced by a sacrifice bunt to second. Schaller drove her in with an RBI double to tie it up. Head coach Leslie Huntington elected to use some speed off the bench in the form of Kiley Rondeau (So.-Shakopee, MN). Varian followed by driving her in with an RBI single.
The Blugolds looked to have it won, until the sixth inning when Whitewater gave Lorbetzke an incredible task, bases loaded with nobody out. Lorbetzke came right back to strike out three straight Warhawks. Lorbetzke finished with a complete game win, with nine punch-outs and just five hits allowed.
In game two, the Blugolds once again started the scoring by manufacturing a run. Leah Wolff (Jr.-Middleton, WI) led off the second inning with a single and was pinch ran for by senior Gracia Larson (Sr.-Eau Claire, WI/Hillcrest Academy). Larson was sacrificed to second, stole third, and on the errant throw scored to give the Blugolds the lead.
The Warhawks again remained hitless deep into the game, until their first hit, just like the previous game, came via the long ball to tie it up. The Blugolds responded by adding another run in the bottom part of the third to remain in the lead. Bri Calder (Fr.-Corcoran, MN/Rockford) would have a huge hit late in the game which gave Eau Claire some much needed insurance runs, when she drove in two on a two RBI single.
The Blugolds would take game two 5-1 and were again led in this one by strong pitching. Lauren Blasczyk (Jr.-Appleton, WI/East) was phenomenal in this one, only allowing one run and scattering three hits, in a complete game effort.
This was a big day for Eau Claire who celebrated Student Appreciation Day as well as Senior Day, where the team honored Abby Hansen (Sr.-Kaukauna, WI), Gracia Larson, Zana Lorbetske. The day was exceptionally special for Hanson, who due to injuries, played her first home game of her career Saturday.
Eau Claire moves to (13-10-1, 4-1-1 WIAC) on the year and will hit the road for another doubleheader on Sunday, where the team will take on St. Scholasticia with the games beginning at 1:00 p.m.
