WHITEWATER, Wis. - The 18th-ranked UW-Eau Claire softball team came up short twice today, falling to seventh-ranked UW-Whitewater 4-0 in game one and 2-0 in game two at van Steenderen Field.

With the win, Whitewater secured sole possession of the conference title, winning it second straight. The Warhawks improve to 31-3 on the season and 16-0 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Eau Claire drops to 27-10 overall and 10-4 in the conference.

The Blugolds struggled to get any offense going the entire day, recording just four hits total. In game one the Blugolds picked up three hits while in game two they came up with one.

In game one, Whitewater scored three runs in the first inning alone. The Blugolds were able to put three runners on bases in the first two innings, but none were able to make it home. In all the Blugolds left four runners stranded on base.

In the second game the Blugolds held the Warhawks mostly in check but allowed one run in both the second and third innings. Eau Claire had opportunities to score runs during that game as well but in the end five runners were left on base.

Aleisha Harper (Fr.-Mondovi, Wis./Eau Claire North) led the Blugolds on the day with two of the team's four hits. Kristi Doucette (Sr.-Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) and Sara Baumgartner (So.-Arcadia, Wis.) both recorded hits as well for the Blugolds.

Ashley Meinen (Fr.-Chippewa Falls, Wis./McDonell) picked up the loss in game one in the circle as she pitched six innings. Facing 26 batters, she allowed seven hits and four runs, three of which were earned.

In the second game, Bri Sturm (Sr.-Zumbrota, Minn./Zumbrota-Mazeppa) pitched for the Blugolds and struck out one batter while allowing seven hits and two earned runs as she faced 27 batters.

The Blugolds will wrap up the regular season Sunday when they travel to Oshkosh for a doubleheader against the Titans. Action will get underway at noon.

Game One Box Score

Game Two Box Score

- KM -