By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team split the series with Bethel University (Minn.) on Friday afternoon, winning the first game 8-7 (10 innings) but dropping the second, 9-2 (7 innings). The doubleheader served as Eau Claire's home opener for the 2021 season, as they were moved from domes in the Twin Cities to Bollinger Field.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photos
Eau Claire took an early lead in game one, up 3-0 in the first two innings. Bethel responded with strong third and fifth innings and held a 6-5 advantage going into the bottom of the ninth. Meghan Witt (Jr. – Portage, WI) hit a solo home run that tied up the game and sent it into extra innings.
The Royals would strike first in extras, but the Blugolds scored two in the bottom of tenth to come out victorious. The decisive RBIs came from Bailee Sillman (Sr. – Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) and Katelyn Yute (Sr. – North Prairie, WI/Kettle Moraine).
Abbey Place (Sr. – Naperville, IL/Central), Sadie Erickson (Fr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) and Witt paced the Blugolds with three hits apiece.
In game two, the Blugold offense was never able to get rolling. Their scoring came off a home run by Witt in the sixth inning and RBI from Shaelyn Talley (So.- Wausau, WI/West). It wasn't enough to close the gap on the Royals, who won 9-2.
Witt and Taylor Nelson (Sr.-Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Assumption) led Eau Claire with two hits and Witt also reached base on a walk.
The split moves Eau Claire to 6-2 on the 2021 season. They will return to Bollinger tomorrow for a doubleheader against St. Catherine (Minn.), with games scheduled for 1 and 3 PM. Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day.
