ANGOLA, Ind. – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team began play in the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday with a first-round match up against No. 25 Baldwin Wallace University. Despite grabbing the lead in the first two innings, UW-Eau Claire fell in the opening round of the tournament, 13-3 in four and a half innings. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blugolds (27-15) loaded the bases early in the first half inning after back-to-back singles from Paige Lathrop and Molly Marquardt, and Claire Beck getting hit by a pitch. A sacrifice fly by Norah Kutnick and an RBI single by Hailey Hagedorn would give UWEC a 2-0 lead after seven plate appearances. 
• Baldwin Wallace (32-4) tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second after an Eau Claire throwing error and three Yellowjacket hits.  
• UW-Eau Claire regained their lead in the top of the third inning on a passed ball that allowed Molly Marquardt to score from third base. Marquardt led the Blugolds offensively during the first-round contest with two hits and two runs. 
• The Yellowjackets took over in the bottom of the third with eleven runs on nine hits to take a 13-3 lead after three innings of play. After a scoreless fourth inning and no run contributions by the Blugolds in the top of the fifth, UWEC took the opening round defeat. Jacie Schultz (12-5) was assessed the loss in her 18th start of the season. 

UP NEXT

The Blugolds will play in an elimination on Friday, May 16 against the University of Pittsburgh – Greensburg at 1:30 p.m. Eastern at SportONE/Parkview Softball Field. 

Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugolds.com or on our app, Blugold Sports, and on social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.