WHITEWATER, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire softball team never trailed as the Blugolds defeated Benedictine University (Ill.) 5-1 on the second day of the regional round of the NCAA Division III Championship at van Steenderen Field today.

Whitewater Regional Website

The Blugolds scored three runs in the top of the first and never looked back. With two outs, Taylor Pierce (So.-Ashwaubenon, Wis.) nailed a home run to right field, bringing in Amanda Fischer (So.-Wausau, Wis./West) and Abby Hansen (Fr.-Kaukauna, Wis.).

Emily Haluska (Sr.-Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) scored a run in the top of the second and while Benedictine scored once in the fifth to make it 4-1, the Blugolds regained a four-run cushion in the top of the seventh after Jenny Hess (Sr.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Lincoln) scored a run.

Pierce had a good game for Eau Claire, leading the team with two hits as she went 2-for-4. She had a game-high three RBI and scored one run. As a team, the Blugolds finished with eight hits while Benedictine had six.

Emma Wishau (Jr.-Burlington, Wis./Waterford Union) pitched a complete game, her seventh of the season, striking out three batters while giving up just one earned run. She didn't allow a hit through the first four innings and ended the game allowing just six. Wishau is now 9-3 on the season.

The Blugolds improve to 27-8 overall while Benedictine drops to 26-15.

Saturday, the Blugolds will play again at 11 a.m. against UW-Whitewater in an elimination game.

-KM-