By Tommy McGowan, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team dropped their series with UW-La Crosse on Saturday afternoon, 20-9 and 12-2 (both 7 innings).

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

After a scoreless first two innings in the opener, both teams scored in the third inning. Following a big half-inning from the Eagles, the Blugolds loaded up the bases. Otto Treichel (So.-Madison, WI/West) earned an RBI for drawing a walk, getting Eau Claire on the board.

Both teams added six runs an inning later. Jacob Lacy (Jr.-Shawano, WI) would single and then score off an RBI from Will Jilek (Sr.-Hudson, WI) to begin the scoring for the Blugolds. The other five runs would come off RBIs from Chase Yaeger (Fr.-Black River Falls, WI), David Janssen (Fr.-Lino Lakes, MN/Centennial), Treichel, Logan Matson (Jr.-Neillsville, WI), and then Lacy.

Eau Claire added two more in the sixth inning, with Jilek knocking in Matson and Lacy scoring again off an error.

Although they had just four hits, Eau Claire showed impressive discipline at the plate, drawing nine walks. Yaeger was their top batter in the first game, with two hits and a double.

La Crosse built a lead early in the second game, but the Blugolds answered with a run in the fourth inning. Nate Witte (Fr.-Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) got the offense going with a leadoff double and then scored off a single from Henry Pitsch (Fr.-Madison, WI/West).

The Blugolds added one more an inning later. This time it was Jilek jumpstarting the offense, as he reached base on a single and later advanced to third on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly from Matson earned him his second RBI of the afternoon.

Although they finished with seven hits, Eau Claire was unable to add to their run total, with the final score 12-2. Jilek led them with a pair of hits, while five others also got in the hit column.

UWEC will wrap up their inaugural 2021 season with a pair of doubleheaders with UW-Whitewater, currently first in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. Their home finale will be on Wednesday, with a road trip next Saturday wrapping up the season.

Follow the action on Blugold Game Day.