MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team was finally back in action Sunday as they swept UW-Stevens Point by scores of 3-2 and 2-1.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
In game one, the Pointers jumped out to an early lead, scoring their only runs in the top of the first. The Blugolds would cut the lead in the third as Katie Rongstad (So.-Slinger, WI) would single and later score on a Gretchen Arneson (So.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) single.
Eau Claire tied the game in the sixth thanks to an RBI double by Sarah Peka (So.-Chanhassen, MN/Minnetonka). In the bottom of the seventh, Katelyn Yute (North Prairie, Wis./Kettle Moraine) drew a walk to get things going. After a Blugold out, Mikayla McEnery's (Fr.-Savage, MN/Prior Lake) sacrifice moved Yute to second. Arneson walked to bring Carlie Christensen (Sr.-Ellsworth, WI/River Falls) to the plate and the senior delivered a double to right field to score Yute and give Eau Claire the win.
Peka led the Blugolds at the plate and on the mound, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and scattering five hits after pitching all seven innings.
In game two, the Blugolds took advantage of a wild pitch in the fourth to score the game's first run. They would add what would be the game-winner on the next at-bat as Christensen would score on Abbey Place's (Fr.-Naperville, IL/Naperville Central) sacrifice fly to right field.
The Pointers would respond with a run in the top of the fifth but it would not be enough as Eau Claire would take home another win.
Cheyenne Johnson (So.-Poplar, WI/Northwestern) earned the win in the circle, surrendering three hits in six innings. Stephanie Wilczynski (Naperville, Ill./Waubonise Valley) would pick up the save in the seventh, striking out two.
The Blugolds have a quick turnaround as they travel to La Crosse Monday for another Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) match-up before hosting Saint Mary's (MN) for their home opener on Tuesday.
Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.
