ROCHESTER, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball earned a sweep over Ripon College on Sunday, defeating the Red Hawks by scores of 11-3 (6 innings) and 7-0.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

In game one, the Blugolds held Ripon scoreless through the first four innings while jumping to a 4-0 lead after two innings of play. After giving up a run in the top of the fifth, Eau Claire responded with three more runs of their own. The Red Hawks battled for two more runs in the sixth but Eau Claire would rally for four more runs to end the game early.

The Blugolds out-hit the Red Hawks 9-6, with Meghan Witt (Jr. – Portage, WI), Sadie Erickson (Fr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central), Bailee Sillman (Sr. – Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi), Katelyn Yute (Sr. – North Prairie, WI/Kettle Moraine) all collecting two hits each and Erickson leading the team with a homerun and four RBIs.

Morgan Sivak (Sr. – Oconomowoc, WI) picked up her second win of the season striking out 10 in six innings.

In game two, Eau Claire earned their first shutout of the year with a 7-0 win. Madi Zerr (So. – Bristol, WI/Wilmot Union) and Jackie Carlucci (Jr- Elk Grove Village, IL/James B. Conant) held the Red Hawks in check, combining for nine strikeouts and scattered four hits.

The Blugold offense got on the board right away in the top of the first with two runs and tacked on three more in the third and two in the fourth. Erickson once again had a big game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a double while Abbey Place (Sr. – Naperville, IL/Central) also turned in a strong performance, going 3-for-5 with a double and homerun. The Blugold bats combined for 12 total hits.

For the day, Erickson was 6-for-8 with six RBIs, a double and homerun to finish with an on base percentage of .750 and slugging percentage of 1.250.

The Blugolds (5-1) will be back in action March 12 when they travel to the West St. Paul Dome to take on Bethel University for a doubleheader. Follow the Blugolds all season long on Blugold Game Day.