By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis.(blugolds.com)- The No. 21 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team split the series Saturday against UW-Platteville, with two close games at Bollinger Field on Senior Day/Alumni Day.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

After UW-Platteville jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one, the Blugolds responded an inning later. Mikayla McEnery (So.-Savage, MN/Prior Lake) doubled and was later knocked in by Katelyn Yute (So.-North Prairie, WI/Kettle Moraine), tying up the game at one.

Yute would again make an impact in the eighth inning, earning a walk to get on base, then scoring the decisive run off a double from Katie Rongstad (Jr.-Slinger, WI).

Sarah Peka (Jr.-Chanhassen, MN/Minnetonka) held the Pioneers in check, allowing just one run over four innings on the mound. Cheyenne Johnson (Jr.-Poplar, WI/Northwestern) came on in relief and pitched four shutout innings, with just one hit allowed. Johnson was credited with the win, improving to 4-2 on the season.

In the second game of the day, Eau Claire was once again great on the mound, as Peka allowed just three hits. However, a Pioneer run following a Blugold error in the first inning turned out to be the only run scored, as UW-Platteville came out on top 1-0.

The Blugolds offense didn't manage to get on the board despite recording five hits. Abbey Place (So.-Naperville, IL/Naperville Central) led the way with two hits, while Rongstad was able to get on base twice, with one hit and one walk.

With their second series split in as many days, the Blugolds now sit at 19-6-1 overall and 5-2-1 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. They will once again return to Bollinger Field Monday against University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app' on your mobile device.