WINONA, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (10-6, 3-1) faced off against Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (14-7, 2-0) in a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Blugolds secured a 5–3 victory in the first game, thanks to a decisive seventh-inning rally, but fell in the second game with a narrow 7–6 defeat.
In Game 1,
Austin Curti's home run in the seventh inning helped the Blugolds break a 3–3 tie and take the lead. UW-Eau Claire secured a crucial victory with a rally, starting with
Kellen Smith leading off with a double and later scoring on a fielder's choice by
Logan Hesselman, who also drove in another run when
Austin Buck crossed the plate. Earlier,
Ian George's solo home run in the fifth inning tied the game at three, while Smith's RBI double and a sacrifice fly from George in the second inning cut into an early deficit.
Saint Mary's initially established momentum with a three-run first inning, highlighted by a two-run homer. However, UW-Eau Claire's defense clamped down, preventing further scoring threats, and their offense capitalized on key opportunities.
Aaron Skrypek pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits while striking out 6 batters.
Chase Watkins relieved Skrypek for 1 inning, striking out 1 and allowing 1 hit, finishing with a WHIP of 2.00 and helping secure his second win of the season.
Kellen Smith posted a strong performance with two doubles, two hits, and drove in one run.
Ian George contributed significantly with a home run, two RBIs, and a score.
Logan Hesselman added one hit, one RBI, and a walk to the efforts.
In Game 2, despite the Blugolds' seven doubles and three stolen bases, they fell to Saint Mary's in a narrow defeat. The turning point came in the eighth inning when Saint Mary's seized control with a three-run homer by Drew Rothenberger, turning a one-run deficit into a 7–6 lead. UWEC had earlier built momentum, taking a 5–3 lead after five innings, highlighted by
Austin Curti driving in runs with a double in the fifth. The team capitalized on free bases, as
Cole Clausen's walk and subsequent stolen base set up an RBI single by
Kellen Smith in the second.
Despite a late push, including John Digregorio's RBI double in the eighth, the Blugolds left runners stranded at critical moments.
Ben Dorantes led the pitching efforts for UW-Eau Claire with a solid start, going 3 innings without allowing a run, striking out one, and maintaining a WHIP of 0.67. In relief,
Tapio Niemioja delivered 2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts, while challenges arose for
Brandon Sylla and
Draza Dupor, who combined allowed seven earned runs.
Curti made a significant impact in the second game, recording three hits, all doubles, driving in one run, scoring once, and stealing a base. Digregorio added a double and two RBIs, while Clausen crossed the plate twice, collected one hit, and drew a walk.
UW-Eau Claire now holds a record of 10-6 and remains 3-1 in conference play, while Saint Mary's improves to 14-7 and 2-0 in the conference.
