MANKATO, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team opened the 2022 season at the Mankato Dome on Saturday night, with the Blugolds picking up wins over Gustavus Adolphus College and host Bethany Lutheran.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
In game one, the Blugolds would score the game's lone run in the bottom of the third. Megan Maruna (Jr. – Oswego, IL) singled and stole second to move into scoring position. Junior transfer Haley Lamberson (Jr. – Silver Lake, WI/Wilmot Union) would then single to center to plate Maruna.
Maruna, Lamberson and Alli Schoenrock (Fr. – Blaine, MN) would record Eau Claire's three hits in the game.
Madi Zerr (Jr. – Bristol, WI/Wilmot Union) earned the win in the circle for the Blugolds, scattering four hits over four innings while issuing one free pass. Newcomer Jacie Schultz (Fr. – Lake Crystal, MN/Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) picked up the save, striking out three in two innings.
In game two, newcomer Claire Beck (Fr. – Jefferson, WI) got the start on the mound and was given some early run support in her collegiate debut. The Blugolds tallied two runs in the first, three in the second and one in the fourth, giving the Blugolds a 6-1 lead after four innings. A four-run sixth would be enough to end the game early as the Blugolds would get a 10-2 victory.
Beck surrendered just four hits in four innings, striking out seven and walking none. Jocelyn Hancock (So. – Verona, WI) threw one inning in relief, allowing one run, one walk and struck out two.
Sadie Erickson (Jr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) would lead the Blugold offense, driving in four runs while tallying two hits, including a bases-clearing double in the second. Maruna, Kenna Strunsee (Fr. – Waukesha, WI/South) and Chloe Garofalo (Fr. – Kenosha, WI/Bradford) also recorded two hits apiece for Eau Claire while Maruna, Erickson and Strunsee also swiped a base.
Eau Claire (2-0) will be back in the dome on Sunday as they take on the College of Saint Benedict and Hamline University.
Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the UWEC Blugolds app.
