Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Abby Harvey Freshman Jackie Chlan practices pitching Thursday afternoon. The Blugolds played their first six games of the season this weekend in Rosemount, Minn.

In 2007 the UW-Eau Claire women's softball team finished third in the nation. On Friday it hoped to build on the past season when it played its season opener against St. Mary's (Minn.).

Eau Claire gave up four runs in the first two innings. The Blugolds, however, did not give up. The team responded with a run in the bottom half of the second inning, with an RBI double to right-center field from sophomore Tamara Zeman, cutting the deficit to three runs.

The Blugolds tied the game in the bottom of the third inning. Senior Jill Janke hit the Blugolds' first home run of the season, which scored two runs. Trailing 4-3, Zeman singled to center, which allowed senior Michelle Butkus to score from third base.

The game did not remain tied for long. The Blugolds took a lead they would never give up in the bottom of the fourth inning when Janke doubled to left-center, scoring senior Casey Leisang from second base.

Junior pitcher Kristi Doucette earned the win after replacing junior starting pitcher Bri Sturm in the second inning. Freshman Jenny Ross earned the save.

"I think it was our closeness as a team and our dependency on one another that helped us come from behind," said junior Betsy Kettinger. "I think we work well together and really compliment each other."

The second game of Friday's double header was very similar to the first. The Blugolds overcame a two run deficit in the sixth inning to win 6-4. In the game, Zeman managed to score on a wild pitch, Kettinger hit a home run to left field, an RBI single, and scored on an error. Leisang and sophomore Jen Peterson hit RBI doubles,

"Everyone contributed," Janke said. "We had pinch hits; pinch runners were able to steal bases and we got some key hits."

On Saturday the Blugolds played another double header, this time against Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.). The opponent may have been different, but the result was the same. Not only did the Blugolds win both games, but they outscored the Golden Gusties 17-6 over the two games.

Sunday, however, was a different story. The Blugolds played their third double header, this time against St. Thomas (Minn.).

The Blugolds lost the first game 3-4, and the second game 6-7.

"I think this can have a positive effect," Kettinger said. "Teams do better against good competition than they do in blow outs."

"It'll build confidence for the new kids," Janke said. "Being able to play against a nationally ranked team can have a positive effect."

The two losses drops the Blugolds to a 4-2 record.

"Both teams hit well … they're good competition, and I think we didn't come out the way we should have," Kettinger said.

"They're a great team and they just had some hits fall," Janke said. "We really hit the ball hard but made a few mistakes. We play them again down the road and I think it will be different then."

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