RIVER FALLS, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team suffered their first conference loss on Wednesday, falling to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls 7-1 and finishing with a tie in game two, 3-3.

The Blugolds could only muster three hits in game one, one of switch was an RBI double by Evie Schaller (Jr.-Chippewa Falls, WI).

Zana Lorbetske (Sr.-Rhinelander, WI/Three Lakes) took the loss for Blugolds in 3.3 innings. The senior struck out three and allowed five runs.

In game two, the Blugolds jumped out to an early 2-0 in the second inning. Brooke Varian (Fr.-Madison, WI/West) got things going for the Blugolds with a single and would later score on a Falcon error. UWEC added another run when Sam Noetzelman (Jr.-Delano, MN) scored on a sacrifice fly by Morgan Lecheler (Jr.-Menomonie, WI).

The Falcons evened the score in the third and took the lead in the sixth, but the Blugolds were able to tie things up in the seventh as Lecheler led the inning off with a single to left field. Darby Raffel (So.Middleton, WI) pinch ran for Lecheler and would score on a fielder's choice.

Neither team could get their offense going in extra innings, ending the game in the ninth in a tie.

The Blugolds will be back in action Saturday as they host their home opener. UWEC will take on UW-Whitewater with the first pitch slated for 2 p.m. at Carson Park.