ANGOLA, Ind. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team began their NCAA Division III Softball Tournament run on Friday in Angola, IN. UW-Eau Claire faced off in the opening round with the hosts, Trine University, in the second game of the day. The Blugold offense was kept quiet during the evening contest as UWEC fell 3-0 to open regional play.
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Trine was the first side to strike on an RBI groundout to Megan Maruna (Jr. – Oswego, IL) with the bases loaded for a 1-0 lead.
Madi Zerr (Jr. – Bristol, WI/Wilmont Union) and the Blugolds kept the Trine Thunder at bay in the following inning to keep the deficit a one run game. After pitching four innings, Zerr brought the offense in the fifth with a double to left center field for the Blugolds' first hit. Haley Lamberson (Jr. – Silver Lake, WI/Wilmont Union) followed suit at the next at bat with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Trine retired the following two batters to keep Eau Claire off the scoreboard.
Trine added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI double to left field for the game's final score line of 3-0.
Lamberson led the Blugolds at the plate during the contest with her two hits and one stolen base in her two at bats.
Madi Zerr took her second loss of the year in her four innings pitched after giving up just two hits and walking one batter during Trine's 24 at bats. Zerr is now 7-2 on the year.
The Blugolds (26-10, WIAC 9-5) will have another chance to advance in the tournament tomorrow when they face Penn St.-Behrend in the regional's first elimination game. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30pm.
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