MENOMONIE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team was back in action Thursday, opening Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play against UW-Stout. The Blugolds defeated the Blue Devils 7-1 in game one and followed up with a 6-0 win in game two.
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
The Blugolds struck first after Abbey Place (Sr. – Naperville, IL/Central) doubled in the first inning and would score on a Maria Back (Jr. – Rosemount, MN) single down the left field line.
Eau Claire would score again in the fourth thanks to an RBI single to left from Megan Maruna (So. – Oswego, IL). The Blugold offense would explode for five runs the following inning, highlighted by a Bailee Sillman (Sr. – Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) homerun and a Back triple.
After adding another run in the sixth, the Blugolds took a 7-0 lead into the seventh. The Blue Devils would get on the board in the final frame, but it would not be enough as Eau Claire secured their first WIAC win of the season, 7-1.
Place, Back, Sadie Erickson (Fr. – St. Paul, MN/North) and Taylor Nelson (Sr. Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Assumption) would all finish the game with two hits each as the Blugolds out-hit the Blue Devils 12-4.
Morgan Sivak (Sr. – Oconomowoc, WI) picked up her fifth victory on the mound, improving to 5-2 overall. The senior scattered four hits while striking out five and gave up one unearned run.
In game two, Eau Claire again took an early lead. In the second inning, Maruna drew a walk and would then steal second and third. She would score on Erickson's single to shortstop to put the Blugolds up 1-0.
The Eau Claire offense would continue to roll, tallying 14 hits, three coming from Katelyn Yute (Sr. – North Prairie, WI/Kettle Moraine). Five Blugolds also contributed two hits apiece. In addition, Eau Claire recorded six steals in the nightcap, two coming from Yute and Maruna.
Madi Zerr (So. – Bristol, WI/Wilmot Union) earned the complete game shutout, striking out six to improve to 5-4.
Eau Claire (13-7, 2-0 WIAC) will be back in action on Saturday when they host UW-River Falls (4-6, 0-2 WIAC) at Bollinger Field. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.
