ROCHESTER, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team went 1-1 on Sunday in two games at the Rochester Dome. The Blugolds fell to St. Catherine University 3-2 but bounced back to defeat Macalester College 10-4.
St. Catherine Box Score | Macalester Box Score
In the first game of the day, St. Catherine took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. They would add runs in the fifth and sixth before the Blugolds would get on the board in the bottom of the sixth.
Katelyn Yute Jr. - North Prairie WI/Kettle Moraine) started the Eau Claire rally in the sixth, leading off the inning with a triple to center field and would score on a groundout to the pitcher on the next play. After a Meghan Witt (So. - Portage WI) double, Megan Maruna (Fr. - Oswego, IL) singled to center to score Witt. However, the Blugolds would not be able to plate another run as the Wildcats would take the 3-2 win.
Yute led the offense, going 2-for-2 and Morgan Sivak (Jr. - Oconomowoc WI) took the loss on the mound, scattering two hits in four innings. The junior gave up one unearned run while striking out one and issuing one free pass.
In game two against Macalester, the Scots scored first with a four-run second inning. However, the Blugolds bats responded with five runs in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and two more in the seventh to secure the 10-4 victory.
In the five-run third, Bailee Sillman (Jr. – Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a Katie Rongstad (Sr. – Slinger, WI) single to left. After a flyout, Sillman would score on a Maria Back (So. – Rosemount, MN) double to center field. Witt followed with a double of her own to score both Back and Rongstad. Maruna tallied the third double in the a row for Eau Claire to knock in another run and Gretchen Arneson (Sr. - Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) added yet another double to plate the fifth run.
In the fourth, Sillman again led off, this time with a single to center field and would move herself into scoring position by stealing second. Sadie Erickson (Fr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) singled to left to move Sillman to third. Erickson then stole second and Sillman would score on an error by the Macalester second baseman. Rongstad would tally her second hit in as many innings in the next at bat to score Erickson.
The lone Blugold run in the fifth came off the bat of Sillman, who singled to left to score Maruna.
In the final frame, Arneson doubled to start the inning. Lilly Olson (Fr. - Oconomowoc, WI) pinch ran for Arneson and would score off a Sillman double to center. The final run of the inning would come on a base loaded walk.
Sillman finished the game 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a walk, steal and scored three runs. Arneson and Rongstad also collected two hits for the Blugolds, both going 2-for-3.
Abbey Cook (Fr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) picked up the win on the mound, giving up six hits in 5.1 innings of work and recorded a walk and strikeout.
The Blugolds (2-4) will be back in action Saturday as they travel to Illinois to take on Aurora University with the first pitch slated for 1 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day or on the 'UWEC Blugolds' app from your mobile device
