GREEN BAY, Wis. - After three postponements in two weeks, the eighth-ranked UW-Eau Claire softball team finally hit the diamond again against St. Norbert College and came away with a five-inning 11-1 win in the first game before losing 6-4 in the second.

Eau Claire scored in every inning during Game One, with a Jill Janke (Sr.-Black River Falls, Wis.) RBI groundout in the first putting the Blugolds on the board. A Katie Stalker (So.-Madison, Wis./La Follette) triple in the next frame would knock in pinch-runner Sara Baumgartner (Fr.-Arcadia, Wis.) and provide all the offense Jenny Ross (Fr.-Mendota Heights, Minn./Henry Sibley) would need, as she allowed just three hits in the game. She allowed a run but walked none while fanning one. Her record improves to 8-0.

The four-run third really put it out of reach. Tamara Zeman (So.-Lodi, Wis.) showed off her ability at the plate and on the bases as she doubled in a run and then stole home during a double-steal. A Kristi Doucette (Jr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) double scored the two other runs in the inning.

The Blugolds put up one in the fourth and three in the fifth, with all three runs coming from a three-run jack by Casey Leisgang (Sr.-Seymour, Wis.). Leisgang had the best offensive game with a 4-for-4 performance and four runs and three RBIs.

It was the second most runs the Blugolds had scored this season behind 12 (two times) and it is the fifth mercy rule game Eau Claire has won. The team outhit St. Norbert 14-to-3.

In the second game, neither squad scored until the third but the Green Knights made the most of the inning with a four spot. All four runs came off starter Bri Sturm (Jr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa), who now has a 5-2 mark. She allowed three hits in her three innings, but one was a two-two single and the other was a two-run homer.

The Blugolds got one run back in the next inning when pinch-runner Heidi Arciszewski (So.-Thorp, Wis.) scored an unearned run. She pinch ran for Janke, who reached on an error by the centerfielder.

The Green Knights touched reliever Jessica Flood (So.-Madison, Wis./La Follette) for two in the fourth to go up 6-1 before Eau Claire mounted its comeback. The top of the fifth saw the Blugolds score three runs and load the bases with none out. Meghan O'Hearn (Fr.-Woodbury, Minn.) and Leisgang reached in front of Zeman, who launched a homer and brought the Blugolds within two. Janke, Michelle Butkus (Sr.-Medford, Wis.) and Bekki Kidnie (So.-St. Paul, Minn./Johnson) all singled behind Zeman to fill the bags for Doucette. St. Norbert shortstop Tracy Palmer made a diving catch, however, and then started a double-play in the next at-bat to end the threat.

St. Norbert pitcher Kayla Krueger shut down Eau Claire in the last two innings to take the complete game win. Zeman had the best success off her with a 2-for-3 day that saw a homer and three RBIs. Doucette and Tessa Pecha (Sr.-Eau Claire, Wis./North) also went 2 for 3 with Doucette contributing an RBI. The offense outhit St. Norbert 11-to-7 in the second game.

The Blugolds now have a 15-5 record while the Green Knights are 8-6.

Barring any unfortunate weather, the Blugolds will have their home opener on Tuesday at 3 p.m. versus UW-Stout.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

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