EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team split their Wednesday afternoon doubleheader with No. 3 UW-Whitewater, 11-1 (7 innings) and 11-1. The victory is the program's first ranked win over a Top 25 team since their return.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photos
After a scoreless first two innings in the opener, Eau Claire got on the board with a solo home run from Anthony Pogodzinski (Fr.-Eau Claire, WI/North). They added two more an inning later, with RBIs from Jacob Lacy (Jr.-Shawano, WI) and Pogodzinski on a sacrifice fly.
The Blugolds extended their lead with big fifth and seventh innings. They loaded the bases in the fifth before a base-clearing triple from Chase Yaeger (Fr.-Black River Falls, WI). In the seventh, they got a three-run homer from Otto Treichel (So.-Madison, WI/West) and RBIs from Will Jilek (Sr.-Hudson, WI) and Nate Witte (Fr.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge).
Eau Claire finished with 11 hits in game one, including three from Treichel and two each from Witte and Yaeger.
In addition to their offensive output, the Blugolds got a dominant performance on the mound from Tom Ginther (Sr.-Rock Springs, WI/Baraboo). He went all seven innings and allowed just two hits, while striking out eight batters.
The Blugold offense slowed down in the second game. After Whitewater took an initial 6-0 lead, Eau Claire scored a run in the bottom of the fourth. Henry Pitsch (Fr.-Madison, WI/West) singled to get the offense going and then was knocked home by Treichel.
Despite opportunities over the next several innings, Eau Claire was unable to add to their run total. The Warhawks added runs in the eighth and ninth innings to secure the win.
Pitsch finished as the top batter for the Blugolds, with a pair of hits. Three others got in the hit column, as UWEC finished with five in total.
The doubleheader acted as the final home games of the 2021 season for Eau Claire. They'll square off against UW-Whitewater on Saturday to officially wrap up the season. First pitch times will be at noon and 3 PM.
Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
