Softball team swept in doubleheader Monday
Blugolds unable to carry momentum into pair of games against Luther College (Iowa)
Nathan Knox
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports
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Eau Claire ended the day Friday with two wins - 7-6 in 10 innings and 10-2 in six innings. Despite solid efforts, Eau Claire was driven into the ground Monday afternoon by Luther; 8-3 in eight innings and 9-1 in six innings.
Coach Leslie Huntington said the Blugolds played very well, but Luther is a strong team and got on top of their game.
"I think that Luther, in my opinion, is a top 10 or 15 (team) in the nation," Huntington said. "I think they started to get into a groove offensively, and we were in a position where we had to make a pitcher change. I think that had a big impact."
Friday's pair of games against Superior first gave Eau Claire a run for its money when the scoreboard showed the visiting team ahead 3-0. Eau Claire then answered with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Superior answered over the next two innings with three more runs, upping the score to 6-2.
In the bottom of the seventh, Eau Claire rallied and answered Superior's runs to tie up the game. The game went into extra innings with Eau Claire eventually driving in a run with bases loaded to win the game.
The Blugolds took control of Friday's second game in the first inning with four hits and five runs. The Blugold's defense was strong as ever as pitching sophomore Jenny Ross threw a two-hit shutout in five innings. The Blugolds ended the game in six innings 10-2.
Monday's games against Luther College took a shot at Eau Claire's confidence. For the first six innings, the Blugolds controlled the game with solid defense and 10 hits.
"We played outstanding softball for the first six innings," Huntington said, "and then we just kind of fell apart."
As Luther began to weigh in on the scoreboard with two runs, Eau Claire let a possible win slip through its fingers with a strikeout with two on base to go in to extra innings. In the top of the eighth, Luther trampled Eau Claire with five runs, and the game ended 8-3.
The Blugolds struggled in the second game and scored their only run in each of the second inning. Luther crushed the Blugolds by scoring at least one run in the first five innings and three in the sixth. The game ended after six innings, 9-1 Luther.
The Blugolds played their final home game against St. Norbert College late Wednesday and won both games of the double header - 7-1, 9-1. Eau Claire faces St. Scholastica later today in Duluth, Minn., and then UW-Stevens Point on Saturday.
Coach Huntington said they're just trying to get some confidence and momentum back on the field. The Blugolds are not worried about what the other teams will do, but what they will do and how they will react, she said.
"We're trying to work to get better everyday," Huntington said, "and improve on the things we're not doing well."
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