By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team swept Finlandia University (Mich.) on Saturday afternoon, 3-0 and 5-3.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | La Barbera Gallery
Both teams had great pitching and defense over the first four innings of game one, with neither allowing a run. Eau Claire finally struck first in the fifth, started by a double from Chase Yaeger (Fr.-Black River Falls, WI). He would later score, as did Cade Mueller (Fr.-Coal City, IL) off a double from Logan Matson (Jr.-Neillsville, WI).
The Blugolds added one more run in the seventh inning off another RBI from Matson, scoring Nate Witte (Fr.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge).
Charley Griffin (So.-River Falls, WI) was awarded the win on the mound, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing just four hits. Kendal Lecker (So.-Seymour, WI) came on in relief and was awarded a save for two scoreless innings.
In game two, the Lions got on the board first in the second inning. The Blugolds would respond an inning later, with Matson doubling and later scoring off a wild pitch.
Eau Claire would strike again in the bottom of the sixth, with Otto Treichel (So.-Madison, WI/West) scoring Henry Pitsch (Fr.-Madison, WI/West). They'd add another run when Treichel took home after a steal attempt at second base.
After Finlandia scored two runs to tie the game at 3 in the top of the eighth, the Blugolds again answered. Yaeger led off with a bunt single and scored, one of two runs they scored in the half-inning.
The Lions put the tying run on base in the top of the ninth, but Eau Claire was able to secure the victory, 5-3.
The Blugolds finished with 10 hits on the day, with four different players hitting two each. The starting pitcher was Lecker, who went seven innings, allowing just one run.
The sweep of the series moves UWEC to 4-14 on the 2021 season. They will hope to keep the momentum going on the road this Tuesday against UW-Platteville, with first pitch times at 1 and 4 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
