KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The UW-Eau Claire softball team swept today's action defeating Grove City College (PA) 8-0 and Ramapo College (NJ) 5-3 here today at the Rebel Spring Games.

The Blugolds opened the day with the 8-0 blanking of Grove City. Andrea Neuville (Jr.-Green Bay/West) earned the win giving up five hits over five innings. Molly Johnson (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln) pitched the final two innings giving up three hits.

Eau Claire jumped out early scoring single runs in the first two innings. Steph Farenbaugh (Jr.-Brownton, MN/McLeod West) scored on a passed ball in the first inning and Tessa Pecha (Fr.-Eau Claire/North) singled in Laura Brackey (Jr.-Oakdale, MN/Tartan) in the second.

The Blugolds took advantage of more Grove City mistakes capitalizing on three walks and two passed balls in the fourth inning. Eau Claire walked three times to load the bases and pushed two runs across on passed balls. Mandy Freidel (Jr.-Tomahawk) doubled in another run to give the Blugolds a 5-0 lead.

Eau Claire scored three more runs in the seventh inning. Molly Blakewell (Sr.-Eau Claire/North) tripled in a run while Terisa Syvertsen (Jr.-Woodbury, MN) and Pecha each singled in runs.

Blakewell went 2 for 3 with a RBI and a run scored while Pecha went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

The Blugolds concluded the day with the 5-3 win over Ramapo. Mallory McKinney (So.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park) pitched a complete game to earn the win giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out six batters.

Farenbaugh got Eau Claire on the board early laying down a sacrifice squeeze to plate Casey Leisgang (Fr.-Seymour) in the first inning. Farenbaugh plated Leisgang again in the third with a double. Jill Janke (Fr.-Black River Falls) singled with Farenbaugh scoring on an error on the play.

Ramapo came back in the top of the fourth to score three runs to tie the game at three. The Blugolds retook the lead in the fifth scoring two runs for the deciding scores. McKinney helped her own cause doubling down the line to score Farenbaugh and Janke.

Leisgang and Janke each went 2 for 3 in the win. Farenbaugh went 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored while McKinney went 1 for 3 with two RBIs.

The wins improve Eau Claire to 8-3 on the year.

The Blugolds will be off tomorrow but will resume action Thursday. Eau Claire will play Concordia College (MN) at 8:50 a.m. and Washington and Jefferson College (PA) at 12:30 p.m.

- JL -