WHITEWATER, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The No. 23 UW-Eau Claire softball team recorded its first losses in conference play as it dropped both games of its doubleheader against No. 8 UW-Whitewater this afternoon.
The Warhawks defeated the Blugolds 6-0 in the first game and an eight-run sixth inning powered Whitewater to a second, 8-0 win in the second game. Eau Claire drops to 19-7 overall and 4-2 in WIAC play. Whitewater improves to 22-6, 7-3.
Eau Claire only managed two hits in game one. Sara Baumgartner (Sr.-Arcadia, Wis.) drove a single to left in the first inning, but the Blugolds ultimately stranded two runners on base. In the fourth, Jess Freagon (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) notched Eau Claire's other hit – a single up the middle – but it again resulted in no scores.
Meanwhile, the Warhawks found great success, scoring four runs in the first and adding another in both the second and fourth innings. Whitewater's Emily Epifanio slammed two homeruns – a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the fourth – to sink the Blugolds.
Ashley Meinen (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) was given the loss, putting her at 6-5 on the year. She pitched four innings, giving up nine hits and striking out four batters.
The second half of the doubleheader was much closer – at least for the first five innings. The Blugolds managed three hits – including two from Baumgartner and Emily Haluska (So.-Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) in the second – but struggled to cross home plate.
The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth, when Whitewater opened up the scoring with eight runs. In the first seven at-bats, the Blugolds gave up four walks and two hits, resulting in three runs. A throwing error from the field allowed in another two scores. The Warhawks sealed the victory with a two-run homerun to end the game in just six innings.
Emma Wishau (Fr.-Waterford, Wis./Union) pitched the majority of the game, but Lauren Carlson (Fr.-Eagan, Minn.) recorded the loss in the outing. She gave up six of the runs in the final inning.
Next up, the Blugolds will host UW-La Crosse for a doubleheader this Wednesday. The first game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Gelein Field.
