By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team began their 2017 Spring Break trip on Thursday with a pair of wins at the Rebel Games. They needed extras in their opener against Franklin & Marshall but were victorious over the Diplomats 1-0 in eight innings. Then, in the nightcap, the Blugolds defeated fellow Wisconsin opponent in Carroll University, topping the Pioneers 8-4.

The match-up against Franklin & Marshall proved to be quite the pitcher's dual. The two teams combined for only five hits, as the Blugolds were limited to only two base-knocks in the win; on the flip side, Lauren Blasczyk (Sr.-Appleton, WI/East) went the distance for UW-Eau Claire, blanking the Diplomats on only three hits and striking out six while allowing no walks.

As for the Blugolds' two hits, neither even came in the game-winning eighth inning. Leadoff hitter Rachel Heffel (Sr.-Racine, WI/Case) was placed at second base to start the eighth. She advanced to third on a passed ball, and then Leah Wolff (Sr.-Middleton, WI) came through with a sacrifice fly for the walk-off winner.

In the nightcap with Carroll, the offensive production did not come at a premium as it did in game one. A seven-run top of the first propelled Eau Claire out to a big, early lead. Six of the team's nine hits in the game came in the inning. The Blugolds picked up another run in the second before being held scoreless the rest of the way. Carroll responded with three runs in the fourth and one in the sixth, resulting in being doubled up in the final statline.

Sarah Peka (Fr.-Chanhassen, MN/Minnetonka) got the start for the Blugolds and used the strong output in the early innings to ride the way to her first collegiate win. The freshman went all seven innings, surrendering eleven hits and four earned runs. Her control was evident in that she did not walk any Pioneers and struck out three.

Gretchen Arneson (Fr.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) had a productive showing from the eight-slot in the batting order, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Emily Pomykalski (Sr.-Cross Plains, WI/Middleton) added a pair of hits herself, scoring a run and knocking one in as well.

The wins moved the No. 13-ranked Blugolds to 5-1 on the season. They have a quick turnaround in the morning, as they are back in action against Illinois Wesleyan (8:00 a.m. CST), followed up by a 12:30 p.m. (CST) start against Marietta.