EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team played host to UW-Stout on Wednesday afternoon, tallying a sweep over the Blue Devils with scores of 6-1 and 13-4 (5 innings).
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Opatz Photos | La Barbera Photos
In the first game of the day, Stout started hot with a leadoff single to left followed by an RBI double. But Madi Zerr (Jr. – Bristol, WI/Wilmot Union) would settle in and shut down the Blue Devils.
In the bottom of the first, Megan Maruna (Jr. – Oswego, IL) started the Blugold offense with a double to left. Sadie Erickson (Jr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) reached on an error and both would score on a double to left center by Claire Beck (Fr. – Jefferson, WI). Beck would later come around to score on Haley Lamberson's (Jr. – Silver Lake, WI/Wilmot Union) single to left to give Eau Claire a 3-1 lead.
Jacie Schultz (Fr. – Lake Crystal, MN/Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) entered the circle for the Blugolds in the fourth, putting the Blue Devils down in order. In the bottom half, Eau Claire would add to their lead, starting with a Megan Patterson (Fr. – Johnsburg, IL) double to centerfield. Pinch running for Patterson, Jayden Hodgson (So. – Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) would score on Maria Back's (Sr. – Rosemount, MN) single to center.
Eau Claire would pick up two more insurance runs in the fifth. Maruna reached on a Stout miscue and would score on Erickson's double to center. Ellie Decker's (Sr. – Germantown, WI) two-out single to left would plate Erickson, putting the Blugolds up 6-1.
Lauren Gamme (So. – Eagan, MN) came in relief in the sixth and would strike out four in the remaining two innings to secure the win. All three Blugold hurlers surrendered just two hits apiece and combined for seven strikeouts.
Patterson led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, including two doubles.
In the nightcap, Eau Claire would rally for six runs in the second and fourth innings on their way to their fifth run-rule victory of the season.
After a scoreless first inning, Decker started the Blugold second with a single through the right side. Lamberson would get on base with a bunt single and a Blue Devil error would load the bases.
Back drew a walk to plate the first run and two more would come in on Shaelyn Talley's (Jr. – Wausau, WI/West) double to center. Maruna followed with a double of her own to score the fourth Blugold run and Zerr would plate the final runs of the inning, driving in two on her single down the left field line.
In the third, Maruna would hit her second RBI double of the game, pushing the Blugold lead to 7-0.
Stout would rally for three runs on three hits in the fourth, but the Eau Claire offense quickly responded.
After a leadoff walk, Decker doubled through the left side to put two into scoring position and Lamberson's fielder's choice would score a run. The Blugolds would draw back-to-back walks to plate another run while a Maruna single would score two more to keep the rally going. Kenna Strunsee (Fr. – Waukesha, WI/South) followed with a single through the left side and the final Blugold runs would score on Erickson's double down the left field line, capping the inning with six runs on four hits.
Eau Claire out-hit Stout 12-5 in game two, with Maruna leading the hit parade, finishing 4-for-4 with two doubles while driving in a game-high 4 runs.
Schultz earned the win in the circle to improve to 9-1 after giving up one hit and striking out one in two innings.
The Blugolds (21-7, 7-3 WIAC) will continue conference play at with home double headers over the weekend. Eau Claire will host UW-Oshkosh (22-6, 8-2 WIAC) on Saturday and UW-Whitewater (17-15, 5-5 WIAC) on Sunday.
Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day or on the UWEC Blugolds app.
