MANKATO, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team was back in the Mankato Dome on Sunday. The Blugolds tallied a split, falling to the College of Saint Benedict in game one but defeated Hamline University in their final game of the weekend.

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

In game one, Saint Ben's scored one run in the third and exploded for five runs in the fourth. Eau Claire would get on the board in the fifth when Maria Back (Sr. – Rosemount, MN) scored on a Megan Maruna (Jr. – Oswego, IL) single up the middle. The Bennies would add another run in the sixth and would win by a score of 7-1.

The Blugolds were out-hit 14-6 in the contest and left six runners on base.

Claire Beck (Fr. – Jefferson, WI) took the loss on the mound, giving up three runs on five hits in 3.1 innings while striking out four.

Eau Claire bounced back with a 3-0 win over Hamline University with all three runs coming in the third inning.

Ellie Decker (Sr. – Germantown, WI) started the rally with a single to left and would move into scoring position on Chloe Garofalo's (Fr. – Kenosha, WI/Bradford) single. Maruna would follow with another single to left to plate Decker and Garofalo and Maruna would score on a Sadie Erickson (Jr. – Norwood Young America, MN/Central) double to center.

Abbey Cook (Jr. – Woodbury, MN/East Ridge) earned the win in the circle, striking out two and allowing just two hits in five innings. Lauren Gamme (So. – Eagan, MN) earned the save in her first outing of the year, striking out two in the final two frames.

Garofalo and Erickson led the Blugolds at the plate, with Garofalo collecting two hits and Erickson driving in two runs. The Blugolds out-hit the Pipers 7-1 en route to their second shutout of the season.

Eau Claire (3-1) will be off until they head south for their spring training trip to Clermont, Florida March 18-25.

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