CLERMONT, Florida (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team was back in action Monday, taking on Williams College (MA) and St. Catherine University (MN) in Clermont, Florida. The Blugolds defeated Williams, 5-4 and St. Kate's, 10-1.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
In game one against Williams, the Blugolds got on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI single from Maria Back (Sr. – Rosemount, MN). The one-run lead to would hold until the fourth when the Ephs pushed a run across in the top half of the inning. Eau Claire quickly responded in the bottom, with Back hitting a double down the left field line and scoring on an error to regain the lead.
In the fifth, the Ephs would take the lead, taking advantage of a Blugold error and three walks to score three runs. Megan Maruna (Jr. – Oswego, IL) got Eau Claire going in the bottom of the fifth, singling to third and was bunted over to second. After Sadie Erickson (Jr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) drew a walk, Back singled to center to score Maruna. Erickson would later score on a fielder's choice, tying the score at four apiece.
In the sixth, Erickson would come up big with an RBI double down the left field line, giving the Blugolds a 5-4 lead. In the seventh, Eau Claire would hold off the Ephs to pick up their seventh win of the season.
Back led Eau Claire at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and scored a run while Erickson finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Both tallied doubles in the victory and Erickson recorded two steals while Back also swiped a base. Kenna Strunsee (Fr. – Waukesha, WI/South) also made herself known on the base paths, recording four steals.
Lauren Gamme (So. – Eagan, MN) picked up the win in the circle, going three innings and allowing just one run and three hits.
The Blugolds faces a familiar Midwest foe in game two, taking on St. Catherine. Eau Claire picked up where they left off in game one, as Maruna led off with a double down the left field line. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, Erickson would plate Maruna with a single up the middle.
Eau Claire wouldn't score again until the fourth where they would tally three runs on three hits. Strunsee started the inning with a solo shot to left field, while Chloe Garofalo (Fr. – Kenosha, WI/Bradford) brought in two more runs with a triple.
The Wildcats got a run on the board in the bottom of the sixth, but the Blugolds exploded for six runs in the seventh for a 10-1 victory. Eau Claire out-hit St. Kate's 11-3 in the contest, with Maruna, Erickson and Strunsee each collecting two hits. Erickson and Garofalo both knocked in three runs while Maruna recorded two more stolen bases, upping her season total to 10.
Lefty Jacie Schultz (Fr. – Lake Crystal, MN/Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) earned her third victory of the season, giving up one hit and striking out four in five innings.
Eau Claire (8-2) will be back in action Tuesday morning as they take on No. 10 Tufts University (MA) and Hope College (MI).
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