EAU CLAIRE - The No.5-ranked UW-Eau Claire softball team did not score a run in a doubleheader today against UW-Stevens Point as the Pointers won game one 8-0 in six innings and game two 1-0 at Gelein Field.

The loss ends the Blugolds 18-game Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) winning streak. The last time Eau Claire lost at home to WIAC opponent was on April 15, 2004 when it lost to La Crosse 8-0. This was the first time in school history that the Blugolds were shutout in a doubleheader at home by a WIAC opponent and the last time Eau Claire was shutout at home period in a doubleheader was in 2000 when Winona State University (MN) won both games 1-0 in extra innings.

The early start was not in the Blugolds favor in game one. The Pointers scored two runs in the bottom of the first on a RBI single to left field by Stephanie Anderson that scored both Laura Van Abel and Mandy Jellish. Stevens Point added to its lead in the bottom of the second after an error by the Blugolds loaded the bases, Van Abel doubled to left center that cleared the bases to make the score 5-0 Pointers.

Eau Claire stranded runners at second and third in the top of the fourth and then left the bases loaded in the top of the sixth. The Pointers would the end the game early in the bottom of the sixth. Korryn Brooks hit a two-RBI double to right field and then Anderson hit a sacrifice fly that scored Brooks to end the game 8-0.

Rachel Paulus (Sr.-Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Lincoln) led Eau Claire at the plate going 2-for-2. Mallory McKinney (Sr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park) picked up the loss on the mound only lasting two innings. McKinney is now 7-4 this season. Stephanie Anderson received the win for the Pointers.

Game two proved to be a pitchers' dual. The first hit of the game came in the bottom of the third when Melissa Boldt hit her first home run of the year to left field to make the score 1-0. The Blugolds lone hit of the game came in the sixth inning on an infield single by Mandy Tschernach (Sr.-Rice Lake, WI). The ball would not leave the infield in the top of the seventh as the Pointers won 1-0.

Bri Sturm (So.-Zumbrota, MN/Zumbrota-Mazeppa) received the loss for Blugolds allowing just four hits. Hope Krause picked up the win for the Pointers.

The Blugolds fall to 15-7 overall and 0-2 in the WIAC, while the Pointers improve to 17-3 and 2-0 in the conference.

Eau Claire will travel to face UW-Whitewater for doubleheader tomorrow. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.

Eau Claire-Stevens Point Game 1 Box Score

Eau Claire-Stevens Point Game 2 Box Score

- JR -