TUCSON, Ariz. - The UW-Eau Claire softball team improved to 9-1 on the season, recording two more victories today on its spring break trip at the Tucson Invitational Games.

The Blugolds scored 25 runs on the day as they beat Pomona-Pitzer College (Calif.) 13-5 to open competition while they defeated Denison University (Ohio) 12-5 to close the day's action.

The Blugolds jumped all over Pomona-Pitzer with a five-run first inning. Eau Claire's first three batters reached base by way of two singles and a hit by pitch. With the bases loaded, Betsy Kettinger (Sr.-Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) ripped a single to center field, driving in Katie Stalker (Jr.-Madison, Wis./LaFollette) and Aleisha Harper (Fr.-Mondovi, Wis./Eau Claire North) for the first runs of the game. Nikki Brommelkamp (Fr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa) then reached on an error to the shortstop, bringing home Tamara Zeman (Jr.-Lodi, Wis.). Kettinger and Brommelkamp would score on an Ainsley Klar (Jr.-La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas) single and a Jen Barron (Sr.-Brooklyn Center, Minn.) sacrifice fly to give the Blugolds a 5-0 lead.

In the second and third innings, Eau Claire would continue its scoring onslaught, posting seven runs on eight hits while capitalizing on two Pomona-Pitzer errors. With a commanding 12-2 lead entering the fifth, the Blugolds would post one more run in the top of the inning. After the first two batter were retired, Kettinger singled to center field. Becca Moos (Fr.-White Bear Lake, Minn./St. Agnes) would follow with a double to center field, driving in Kettinger and picking up her first collegiate RBI. Pomona threatened with three runs of its own in the home half of the fifth, but it wasn't enough as Eau Claire cruised to a 13-5 win.

Brooke Malnory (So.-Chippewa Falls, Wis.) picked up her first win of the year, pitching a complete game giving up three earned runs and striking out five. Four Blugolds enjoyed multiple hit games. Stalker led the way going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Klar was a perfect 2-for-2, drawing two walks.

In its second game of the day, Eau Claire continued its hot streak on offense. Similar to their first game, the Blugolds jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Stalker led the game with a single. Two batters later, Stalker scored via a Jess Freagon (Fr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) double to right field. Brommelkamp followed Freagon with a single, scoring pinch-runner Moos.

Both teams went scoreless until the fourth inning, where Eau Claire posted three more runs, taking a 5-0 lead. Denison answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs of its own to cut the Blugold lead to 5-2. Eau Claire would answer in the final three innings, posting seven runs on nine hits to run away with the seven-run victory.

Bri Sturm (Sr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa) recorded the win the in the circle for the Blugolds. Sturm pitched a complete game, giving up four earned runs and striking out three. Stalker extended her dominance at the plate, going 4-for-5 and scoring three runs. Brommelkamp led the team with three RBI's while going 3-for-4.

Tomorrow Eau Claire will wrap up its spring break trip with two more games. The Blugolds will face Central College (Iowa) at 10 a.m. and will end the trip with another game against Denison at noon. Earlier in the week the Blugolds beat Central 7-2.

Eau Claire-Pomona-Pitzer Box Score

Eau Claire-Denison Box Score

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