ROSEMOUNT, Minn. - Although the UW-Eau Claire softball team mounted comebacks at the end of two games against St. Thomas (Minn.), the Blugolds came up short by one run in both games at the Rosemount Dome in Minnesota today.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Blugolds scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth but ended up losing 4-3. In the second game St. Thomas got out to a 7-3 lead by the top of the fifth inning before Eau Claire scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to fall just short in the 7-6 loss.

Coming into the game, both teams were undefeated on the season that began this weekend. With the two wins, St. Thomas, which is ranked 10th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll, improves to 4-0 on the season, while Eau Claire drops to 4-2. The Blugolds are currently ranked sixth in the same poll.

In the first game today, with Eau Claire down 4-1, the Blugolds attempted to rally in the sixth and were able to score two unearned runs. Katie Stalker (So.-Madison, Wis./La Follette) scored the first run in the sixth, pinch running for Jill Janke (Sr.-Black River Falls, Wis.), after Bekki Kidnie (So.-St. Paul, Minn./Johnson) singled to left field to drive her in. Emily Pierce (Fr.-Holmen, Wis.) then came in to pinch run for Kidnie and scored two batters later when Kristi Doucette (Jr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) drove her in on a two-out single. The inning would end after the next batter lined-out to center field, leaving the tying run left on base. The Blugolds were then unable to get anyone on base in the seventh and the Tommies threw two out on a double play to end the game.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh in game two, Michelle Butkus (Sr.-Medford, Wis.) reached first on an error by the second baseman and two runners scored for Eau Claire making the score 7-5. Kidnie was the next batter and after a wild pitch, Janke advanced to third. Kidnie then singled to center to drive Janke in. Jenny Ross (Fr.-Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley) was then intentionally walked and the bases were loaded with two outs. Tessa Pecha (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./North) then struck out swinging, leaving three runners left on base.

Getting the 28th homerun of her career in the first game today was Casey Leisgang (Sr.-Seymour, Wis.). She has the most homeruns of any Blugold all-time and is third in the conference for career homeruns.

Doucette picked up the loss for the Blugolds in game one, playing three innings. She allowed two hits and one run, but was able to record five strikeouts. Jessica Flood (Fr.-Madison, Wis./La Follette) was given the loss in game two after pitching one inning and giving up four runs on six hits.

The Blugolds will now head to Tucson, Arizona next weekend for 12 games between March 15th and 21st.

Eau Claire-St. Thomas Game One Box Score

Eau Claire-St. Thomas Game Two Box Score

- KM -