EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (18-4) had a successful doubleheader against St. Catherine University (11-7) on Sunday, securing a commanding 9-1 victory in the first game, followed by an explosive 15-7 win in the second game.
In Game 1,
Claire Beck led UW-Eau Claire with a commanding performance in the circle, allowing just two hits over five innings while striking out two. UWEC opened the scoring in the first inning with
Jane Wallace singling and eventually scoring on Beck's RBI single.
Chloe Ricard followed with another RBI single, bringing Beck home and giving the Blugolds a 2-1 lead at the end of the first inning.
The Blugolds extended their lead in the third inning as Beck scored on a fielder's choice, and
Brooklyn Swanepoel crossed the plate on
Breeley Gluch's RBI single. By the end of the third inning, the home team led 4-1. UW-Eau Claire had a decisive fourth inning, starting with
Kennedy Tumm scoring on Beck's double.
Norah Kutnink and Beck each scored on Ricard's single, followed by Gluch's two-run homer to cap the inning. By the end of the fourth, UW-Eau Claire held a commanding 9-1 lead. The game concluded with the Blugolds securing a 9-1 victory over St. Catherine.
Beck delivered an exceptional performance on the mound for UWEC, pitching a complete game while allowing only two hits and no earned runs over 5 innings. She faced 18 batters, striking out two and issuing no walks, contributing to her impressive WHIP of 0.40. Beck maintained control throughout, throwing 53 pitches with 37 strikes, and secured her seventh win of the season, bringing her record to 7-1. She also had three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Gluch contributed significantly with a home run, collecting three RBIs and two hits. Ricard was effective at the plate, achieving two hits and driving in four runs. Kutnink added three hits and stole a base, enhancing the team's offensive efforts.
In Game 2, UW-Eau Claire responded to St. Catherine's two runs in the first inning with an offensive surge, highlighted by an explosive eight-run first inning.
Paige Lathrop doubled to center field, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on Beck's single, which also brought
Jane Wallace home.
Breeley Gluch's single drove in
Norah Kutnink and Beck, and Lathrop's second at-bat of the inning resulted in a two-RBI single. Wallace later reached on an error, scoring two more unearned runs. The inning concluded with the Blugolds leading 8–2.
During the second inning, UW-Eau Claire added five more runs.
Marlee Smith's single scored
Bella Florio, who had pinch-run earlier. Lathrop executed a bunt single to score Gluch. Wallace's three-run homer extended the lead, and the inning ended with UWEC ahead 13–5. In the fourth inning,
Kennedy Tumm, acting as a pinch runner, scored on a wild pitch, moving the score to 14–7 in favor of the Blugolds. Wallace hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, marking her second of the game and finalizing the score at 15–7.
Lauren Trottier started on the mound for UW-Eau Claire, pitching 3 innings while allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits. She struck out 2 batters and walked 1, finishing with a WHIP of 3.00.
Kasey Felden relieved Trottier, delivering a strong performance with 2 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out 2. Felden's efficient outing was highlighted by a perfect WHIP of 0.00 over 21 pitches.
Lathrop recorded three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs while also scoring three times. Wallace tallied two home runs and six RBIs, contributing significantly to the scoring. Gluch added two hits and two RBIs, crossing the plate twice. Smith finished with one hit, one RBI, and drew a walk, aiding in run production.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at
Blugolds.com or on our app,
Blugold Sports, and on social media on
Twitter,
Instagram, and
Facebook.
