By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
OSHKOSH, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team lost their Wednesday afternoon doubleheader to UW-Oshkosh, 17-7 (8 innings) and 5-4.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
In game one, the Titans scored seven runs in the first two innings, but Eau Claire countered with a strong third. Nate Witte (Fr.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) got things going with a leadoff double and then was knocked in by a Logan Matson (Jr.-Neillsville, WI) double. Matson would score off two straight passed balls.
The Blugolds added another run an inning later. Witte was hit by pitch and then proceeded to steal second and third base. Matson recorded his second RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly, scoring Witte.
Anthony Pogodzinski (Fr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) reached base on a passed ball, beginning a three-run seventh for UWEC. He later scored off a two RBI single from David Janssen (Fr.-Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial), who also scored a run to make the score 11-6.
Eau Claire would add one more run in the eighth but couldn't close the gap, with the final score reading 17-7.
The Blugold offense had their best performance of the season in the opening game, with 11 hits in total. Chase Yaeger (Fr.-Black River Falls, WI) led the way, going 3-for-5, while six other batters recorded a hit.
In game two, it was the Blugolds scoring first when Witte reached base on a dropped third strike and later scored his third run of the day.
After a big fifth inning from Oshkosh, Eau Claire added two more runs in the top of the sixth. Witte again jumpstarted the offense, tripling to open the inning. He scored once again off a two-run home run from Pogodzinski to right field.
One more run from UWEC in the eighth sent them into the final inning down 5-4. They were unable to tie up the game, with a pop up and a pair of strikeouts.
Charley Griffin (So.-River Falls, WI) got the start in the second game, striking out six batters in 4.2 innings. Kendal Lecker (So.-Seymour, WI) came on in relief and pitched three scoreless innings.
The Blugolds will get an opportunity to avenge both defeats this Friday, when they get UW-Oshkosh at home. The first pitches for the doubleheader will once again be at noon and 3 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
