MANKATO, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team kicked off their 2021 campaign with a pair of wins on Saturday night, defeating Nebraska Wesleyan by scores of 11-3 and 14-2. The first win of the day was number 500 for Head Coach Leslie Huntington.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

In game one, Wesleyan got on the board first with a three-run second inning, but Eau Claire responded with runs in the bottom of the second and third. The Blugold bats came alive in the fourth, exploding for nine runs en route to an 11-3 win in five innings.

Sadie Erickson (Fr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) led the Blugold offense in the opener, going 3-for-3 with a homerun and three RBIs. Abbey Place (Sr. – Naperville, IL/Central) and Taylor Nelson (Sr. Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Assumption) each had a pair of hits, both recording doubles and Nelson also tallying a triple. Erickson and Nelson also drove in three runs for Eau Claire.

Morgan Sivak (Sr. – Oconomowoc, WI) picked up the win in the circle, striking out three in five innings of work.

In game two, Eau Claire struck early, tallying seven runs in the second inning. The Blugolds plated another run in the fourth before another big inning in the sixth to secure another run-rule victory, this time with a tally of 14-2.

Megan Maruna (So. – Oswego, IL) paced the Blugolds at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double and homerun while knocking in five RBIs. Nelson and Meghan Witt (Jr. – Portage, WI) each collected two hits, both recording doubles.

Madi Zerr (So. – Bristol, WI/Wilmot Union) earned the win on the mound in three innings of work, striking out two and giving up just one hit.

The Blugolds (2-0) will head back to Minnesota next weekend a Saturday doubleheader against Coe College and a Sunday doubleheader against Ripon College at the RCTC Dome in Rochester. Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugolds.com/gameday.