TUCSON, Az. - The UW-Eau Claire softball team used an explosive fifth inning to beat Augsburg College (Minn.) 7-4, before dropping its second game of the day to Doane College (Neb.) by a score of 8-0 at the Tucson Invitational Games. The split brings the Blugolds overall record to 9-4 on the season.

Despite a first inning run, the Blugold bats remained relatively quiet until late in the first game against the Auggies. With the Blugolds down 4-1 heading into the top of the fifth inning, the offense erupted for six runs on five hits, all with two outs. The inning began with a Betsy Kettinger (Jr.-Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) walk. After a sacrifice bunt and fielder's choice, Casey Leisgang (Sr.-Seymour, Wis.) lined a double into center field, scoring pinch runner Meghan O?Hearn (Fr.-Woodbury, Minn.) from third. Tamara Zeman (So.-Lodi, Wis.), Jill Janke (Sr.-Black River Falls, Wis.) and Michelle Butkus (Sr.-Medford, Wis.) followed in order to produce two hits and a walk, tying the score at four. With Janke and Butkus in scoring position, Kristi Doucette (Jr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) belted a three-run home run to put the Blugolds ahead for good. The blast was Doucette's first of the season.

Jackie Chlan (Fr.-Apple Valley, Minn.) and Jessica Flood (So.-Madison, Wis./La Follette) shared the pitching duties, with Flood picking up her first win of the season in relief. Chlan and Flood combined to give up just three hits while striking out six. Butkus and Leisgang each picked up three hits in the game, while Doucette went 2-for-4 on the day with three RBIs.

In game two, the Blugold bats went silent, and Doane College (Neb.) capitalized on five UW-Eau Claire errors to beat the Blugolds 8-0 in six innings. The Blugolds mustered just two hits against Tigers' pitcher Joy Vasa, while the NAIA affiliate produced ten hits in the shortened game.

Bri Sturm (Jr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa) took the loss for the Blugolds, giving her a 4-1 record on the season.

The Blugolds will take the field for one game tomorrow against Lakeland College at Lincoln Regional Park. Day five action begins at 10:15 a.m.

Eau Claire-Augsburg Box Score

Eau Claire-Doane Box Score

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