By Justin Dade – Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team has advanced to the WIAC Championship Game with a 1-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a 5-0 win over the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on Saturday at Gelein Field.
With their season on the line after falling to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Friday, the Blugolds came through in a big way on Saturday to advance to the title game behind pitchers Lauren Blasczyk (Jr. – Appleton, WI) and Zana Lorbetske (Sr. – Rhinelander, WI) who kept both opponents scoreless.
Game one with the Titans was a pitchers battle as Sara Brunlieb pitched a very strong seven innings for UW-Oshkosh.
The difference in the game would be a bunt single from Kelsey Meredith (Jr. – Golden Valley, MN) in the top of the sixth inning that drove home Emily Pomykalski (Jr. – Cross Plains, WI) to give the Blugolds the 1-0 edge.
Meredith, Abby Hanson (Sr. – Kaukauna, WI), Evie Schaller (Jr. – Chippewa Falls, WI), and Bri Calder (Fr. Corcoran, MN) all had multi-hit outings in the win.
Blasczyk pitched all seven innings for the Blugolds surrendering just four hits in the game. The junior helped keep the Titans off the board while striking out two to earn her 14th win of the season in a must-win game.
With a 1-1 record in the tournament, the Blugolds played right after their win over UW-Oshkosh for a chance to advance to the championship game in a tilt with UW-La Crosse.
Calder got things going on offense for the Blugolds in game two in the second inning with an RBI single up the middle to score Gracia Larson (Sr. – Eau Claire, WI) to give UW-Eau Claire the 1-0 lead.
The bats exploded in the fourth inning as the Blugolds scored four more runs on three hits.
Morgan Lecheler (Jr. – Menominee, WI) got the inning started with a walk and Kiley Rondeau (So. - Shakopee, WI) came on in Lecheler's place as a pinch runner. Rondeau stole two bases before being driven in by Calder on an RBI double that also scored Emma Lehman (Fr. – Brooklyn Park, MN).
Schaller would extend the lead to 5-0 with an RBI double of her own scoring Meredith and Rachel Heffel (Jr. – Racine, WI).
Lorbetske got the start in game two and gave up just three hits walking only one while striking out eight.
Defensive play was absolutely key in the wins to support the pitching as Blugolds were error free all afternoon.
With these two impressive wins the Blugolds will now have a rematch with UW-Whitewater on Sunday for the WIAC title. First pitch will be at 10 a.m. at Gelein Field.
