DE PERE - The ninth-ranked UW-Eau Claire softball team extended its winning streak to nine games today after taking both games of a doubleheader against St. Norbert College, winning game one, 4-0, and game two, 9-1, in six innings at Mel Nicks Field.

The doubleheader between the two teams was scheduled to take place in Eau Claire at Gelein Field, however due to wet grounds the site was changed to St. Norbert's home field.

The sweep improves the Blugolds record to 15-3 overall this season, while the two losses drops the Green Knights to an 8-6 record.

In game one, Mallory McKinney (Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park) pitched a complete game three-hitter, as the Blugolds went on to win 4-0. McKinney (8-1) struck out seven and had zero walks in her ninth complete game of the season. McKinney was also 2-for-3 at the plate and scored a run.

The Blugolds scored their first run of the game in the first inning on a Megan Ellenbecker (Fr.-Athens, WI) single, that scored Rachel Paulus (Jr.-Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Lincoln). The Blugolds would score two more in the top of the third on an Amber Haack (Jr.-Madison, WI/LaFollette) single that scored two.

A Jill Janke (So.-Black River Falls, WI) double in the fourth inning scored the Blugolds last run of the game as Rachel Paulus scored her second run of the game to make the score 4-0. Paulus ended up 3-for-4 for the game with two runs scored.

In game two, the Blugolds scored six of their nine runs in the top of the first to cruise to victory in six innings, 9-1. Mallory McKinney, Megan Ellenbecker (2), Amber Haack, and Bri Sturm (Zumbrota, MN/Zumbrota-Mazeppa) all had RBIs in the first inning.

Sturm would drive in one run and McKinney would drive in two runs in the top of the sixth to cap off the Blugolds scoring. McKinney ended up 2-for-4 with three RBIs and scored a run in game two and Mandy Tschernach (Jr.-Rice Lake, WI) went 2-for-3 with two doubles and one run scored.

On the mound, Sturm (4-0) went five innings, scattered six hits and struck out two, while just allowing one run to pick up the win.

Tomorrow's home doubleheader against St. Scholastica has been postponed to later date. The Blugolds next action will be next Saturday, as they open the conference season at UW-La Crosse for a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

- JR -