DULUTH, MN - The UW-Eau Claire softball team allowed just one run today in sweeping a doubleheader against the College of St. Scholastica (MN), winning game one 7-1 and game two 4-0 at Kenwood Field.

The Blugolds improve to an overall record of 19-7, while the Saints fall to 8-12. Eau Claire improves to 12-4 all-time against St. Scholastica. The Saints had won four of the prior six meetings.

St. Scholastica took an early lead in game one when Rilee Dawson hit a RBI single that scored Chelsey Weiss to make the score 1-0. The Blugolds would tie it up in the top of the third inning. Bri Sturm (So.-Zumbrota, MN/Zumbrota-Mazeppa) led off the inning with a double to left center. After a sacrifice, Sturm would score on an error by the shortstop to make the score 1-1. An interesting play ended that inning as with the bases loaded Casey Leisgang (Jr.-Seymour, WI) struck out on a wild pitch but was able to reach first, however the catcher would get the force out at home to end the inning.

Eau Claire took its first lead in the top of the fourth when Mandy Tschernach (Sr.-Rice Lake, WI), with two outs, tripled to left center that scored both Sturm and Katie Stalker (Fr.-Madison, WI/La Follette) to make the score 3-1 Blugolds. Eau Claire took control of the game in the sixth inning on a Mallory McKinney (Sr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park) grand slam home run to left field to give the Blugolds a 7-1 lead. This was the second grand slam in as many games for the Blugolds as Casey Leisgang had one in the second game against UW-Whitewater on Sunday. St. Scholastica would not threaten as the Blugolds went on to win 7-1.

McKinney was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and Bekki Kidnie (Fr.-St. Paul, MN/Johnson) was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Sturm (9-3) got her third win in as many games on the mound as she went six innings, allowing six hits, and striking out three. Kristi Doucette (So.-Green Bay, WI/Ashwaubenon) came in the seventh inning and did not allow a hit.

The Blugolds would score first in game two on a Casey Leisgang two-RBI double down the left field line that scored both Michelle Butkus (Jr.-Medford, WI) and Mallory McKinney. The Blugolds extended their lead in the fifth on a Butkus triple to right center that plated Tessa Pecha (Jr.-Eau Claire, WI/North) to make the score 3-0. Eau Claire's final run of the game came in the seventh inning on a Jill Janke (Jr.-Black River Falls, WI) sacrifice fly that scored McKinney to make the score 4-0.

With runners at second and third in the bottom of the seventh, McKinney struck out Michaela Carlson to end the game and give the Blugolds a 4-0 victory. McKinney (8-4) was dominate on the mound as she struck out seven and allowed just five hits. This was her second complete game shutout of the season and the 25th of her career. The all-time school record is 27 by Heidi Bergstrom from 1997-2000. McKinney and Butkus each went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Blugolds.

The Blugolds return home Thursday to face UW-River Falls in a doubleheader. It will be Youth League/High School Day at the ballpark. The first game begins at 4 p.m. at Gelein Field.

Eau Claire-St. Scholastica Game 1 Box Score

Eau Claire-St. Scholastica Game 2 Box Score

- JR -