By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team split two games against St. Catherine (Minn.) on Saturday night, 6-2 and 12-11 (9 innings).
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Photos | Photos
An RBI from Abbey Place (Sr.-Naperville, IL/Central) opened up the scoring for the Blugolds in game one. Megan Maruna (So.- Oswego, IL) hit a triple that scored Maria Back (Jr.-Rosemount, MN) in the third, but the Eau Claire offense struggled the rest of the way.
Despite seven hits, the Blugolds were unable to close the lead. Bailee Sillman (Sr.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) and Maruna led the way with two hits each.
In game two, neither team was able to build a lasting advantage. St. Catherine jumped out to an 8-0 lead, but the Blugolds tied things up in the seventh inning off a Place single that scored Sadie Erickson (So.-Norwood Young America, MN/Central).
Down 11-10 in the ninth, Place again stepped up with a double that scored Erickson and Sillman, giving Eau Claire their first lead of the night and the eventual victory.
Eau Claire's offensive was explosive in game two, belting four homeruns (Erickson, Sillman, Maruna, Maria Back (Jr. - Rosemount, MN) in addition to two doubles. The Blugolds finished with 17 hits in the game, while Madi Zerr (So.-Bristol, WI/Wilmot Union) pitched 7.2 innings and struck out three batters.
The split moves Eau Claire to 7-3 on the 2021 season. They will go on the road this Tuesday against Northwestern St. Paul (Minn.) on March 16, with games at 2 and 4 PM. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
