KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The UW-Eau Claire softball team wrapped up an 8-1 spring break trip with a 5-0 win over DePauw University (IN) and a 1-0 victory over Fontbonne University (MO) here today at the Rebel Spring Games.

The Blugold pitching staff once again dominated opposing batters allowing no runs on only three hits in two games. Eau Claire pitchers have allowed only two runs on 10 hits over the last 30 innings.

Eau Claire opened with the 5-0 blanking of DePauw. Andrea Neuville (Jr.-Green Bay/West) earned the win with five shutout innings while allowing only two hits. Molly Johnson (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln) pitched two hitless innings in relief.

The Blugolds scored two single runs in the first and second innings to take the early lead. Casey Leisgang (Fr.-Seymour) knocked in Rachel Paulus (So.-Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln) with a triple in the first and Terisa Syvertsen (Jr.-Woodbury, MN) knocked in another run with a single in the second.

Eau Claire scored three more runs in the fifth inning. Tessa Pecha (Fr.-Eau Claire/North) scored on a RBI groundout from Paulus to start the scoring. Steph Farenbaugh (Jr.-Brownton, MN/McLeod West) stole home on a double steal for the next run with Leisgang with Leisgang taking second. Leisgang crossed the plate on a double by Mallory McKinney (So.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park) to conclude the scoring.

McKinney had another excellent outing on the mound in the 1-0 victory Fontbonne going the full seven innings allowing no runs on only one hit. Over the spring break trip, McKinney finished with 38 2/3 innings pitched allowing only six earned runs on 22 hits.

The Blugolds scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Shannon Barone (So.-DePere) singled over the shortstop's head for the deciding run and the Eau Claire win. The Blugolds went station to station for the winning run using a sacrifice bunt and a groundout to put the runner in scoring position.

The 8-1 trip improves Eau Claire's record to 12-3 on the year. The trip included a win over the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's preseason No. 17 team Allegheny College (PA).

The Blugolds come back to Wisconsin to face St. Norbert College Saturday, April 2 in DePere. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

- JL -