Softball splits double header in Menomonie
Blugolds' WIAC record drops to 6-2 on season, host UW-Superior on Friday
Spectator staff
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Sports
The UW-Eau Claire softball team, ranked No. 7 in the nation, and took its 5-1 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference record down I-94 to face UW-Stout in a doubleheader Wednesday.
After winning the first game 6-2, the Blugolds were blanked by the rival Blue Devils 8-0 in the second game. Defense proved to be a difference-maker in the second game, as Eau Claire committed four errors, and six of the eight runs went unearned.
Eau Claire set the tone early in the first game by loading the bases in the opening inning and taking a 1-0 lead off a single up the middle by junior Ainsley Klar. The Blugolds tacked on three more runs in the second inning to extend the lead to 4-0.
Stout answered with a two-out single in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 4-2 but couldn't come any closer. Eau Claire added two insurance runs in the fifth inning to bring the final score to 6-2.
The Blugolds tallied 13 hits in the game. Sophomore Sara Baumgartner went 3-for-4, and freshman Aleisha Harper and senior Jen Barron collected two RBIs a piece. Three pitchers - senior Bri Sturm, freshman Ashley Meinen and sophomore Jenny Ross - combined for 11 strikeouts over seven innings. Sturm recorded the win but also suffered the loss in game two.
In the second game, Eau Claire had three of its four hits in the first inning and couldn't advance a runner past second for the rest of the game. Stout scored at least one run in all but the third inning, and the game ended after five.
The Blugolds' defensive struggles prevented them from keeping the game close, as only two of the eight runs were earned after the team had four errors.
Eau Claire is now 18-5 on the season and 6-2 in the WIAC. Stout is 12-12 and 2-4 in conference.
The Blugolds will continue the WIAC season against UW-Superior in a doubleheader set to start at 1 p.m. Friday at Gelein Field.
- Spectator staff
After winning the first game 6-2, the Blugolds were blanked by the rival Blue Devils 8-0 in the second game. Defense proved to be a difference-maker in the second game, as Eau Claire committed four errors, and six of the eight runs went unearned.
Eau Claire set the tone early in the first game by loading the bases in the opening inning and taking a 1-0 lead off a single up the middle by junior Ainsley Klar. The Blugolds tacked on three more runs in the second inning to extend the lead to 4-0.
Stout answered with a two-out single in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 4-2 but couldn't come any closer. Eau Claire added two insurance runs in the fifth inning to bring the final score to 6-2.
The Blugolds tallied 13 hits in the game. Sophomore Sara Baumgartner went 3-for-4, and freshman Aleisha Harper and senior Jen Barron collected two RBIs a piece. Three pitchers - senior Bri Sturm, freshman Ashley Meinen and sophomore Jenny Ross - combined for 11 strikeouts over seven innings. Sturm recorded the win but also suffered the loss in game two.
In the second game, Eau Claire had three of its four hits in the first inning and couldn't advance a runner past second for the rest of the game. Stout scored at least one run in all but the third inning, and the game ended after five.
The Blugolds' defensive struggles prevented them from keeping the game close, as only two of the eight runs were earned after the team had four errors.
Eau Claire is now 18-5 on the season and 6-2 in the WIAC. Stout is 12-12 and 2-4 in conference.
The Blugolds will continue the WIAC season against UW-Superior in a doubleheader set to start at 1 p.m. Friday at Gelein Field.
- Spectator staff
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