EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team split a doubleheader against St. Norbert College on Sunday at the Sonnentag Fieldhouse, falling 6-4 in the first game before securing a decisive 22-0 victory in the second.
In the first game, despite a four-run rally in the seventh inning, the Blugolds could not overcome St. Norbert's early lead, which included two home runs. St. Norbert took an early lead in the second inning, scoring three unearned runs aided by an error. In the fourth inning, the Green Knights scored again on a throwing error, extending their lead to 4-0. The score remained 4-0 through the fifth inning.
A St. Norbert solo home run in the sixth inning, pushed the lead to 5-0. The Blugolds managed to turn a double play in the bottom of the inning but couldn't capitalize offensively, keeping the score 5-0. In the seventh inning, St. Norbert added another run with another homer, making it 6-0. The Blugolds mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh.
Norah Kutnink doubled and later scored on a throwing error.
Marlee Smith,
Chloe Ricard, and
Emmy Olson contributed to the rally, with Olson stealing second and later scoring.
Jane Wallace and
Brooklyn Swanepoel also reached base, allowing the Blugolds to score four runs, bringing the final score to 6-4 in favor of St. Norbert.
Kasey Felden delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 innings and allowing just 1 earned run on 3 hits, while striking out 3 batters and walking 2. Felden's efficiency was highlighted by a commendable WHIP of 1.00 and 74 strikes out of 114 pitches.
Claire Beck contributed 2 innings of relief, giving up 2 earned runs on 2 home runs and striking out 1, maintaining a WHIP of 1.50. Despite Beck's efforts, St. Norbert managed to capitalize on its opportunities in the late innings.
Norah Kutnink led the UWEC offense, recording two hits and scoring once, both hits being doubles, resulting in an OPS of 1.500. Beck contributed both at the plate and on the mound, securing one hit while pitching two innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out one.
Marlee Smith made her presence felt as a pinch runner, scoring a run and stealing a base.
In the second game, UW-Eau Claire's potent offense shined, highlighted by four home runs and seven doubles, contributing to the dominant 22-0 win. The game started strongly for the Blugolds, as
Brooklyn Swanepoel and
Paige Lathrop drew walks before
Molly Marquardt doubled to right center, bringing in the first run.
Claire Beck followed with another double, scoring Lathrop.
Marlee Smith's double drove in two more runs, and the scoring continued with
Chloe Ricard's RBI single. Swanepoel and Lathrop each contributed two RBIs, with Lathrop's triple capping off a 10-run inning. By the end of the first inning, the score was 10-0 in favor of UW-Eau Claire.
In the second inning, the Blugolds added three more runs. A pinch runner scored on Lathrop's groundout, and Marquardt hit a two-run home run, extending the lead to 13-0. The third inning saw Smith doubling and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Ricard, followed by
Hailey Hagedorn's double and a single by Swanepoel. At the close of the third inning, UW-Eau Claire led 15-0.
The Blugolds continued their offensive output in the fourth inning.
Emily Ovaska and
Kennedy Tumm both hit home runs, with Tumm's being a three-run shot.
Jane Wallace also homered, adding to the seven-run inning. The score at the end of the fourth was 22-0. The final inning was quiet for both sides, with St. Norbert unable to make a dent in the score. UWEC maintained its lead to win the game decisively.
Lauren Trottier delivered a solid performance, pitching 3 innings while allowing just 1 hit and no earned runs, with 2 strikeouts and no walks. She faced 10 batters and managed to induce 7 groundouts, showcasing effective control with 23 strikes out of 40 pitches.
Megan Standiford added to the strong showing by pitching 2 innings without allowing any hits, runs, or walks, while striking out 2 batters and maintaining a perfect WHIP of 0.00. Their combined efforts kept St. Norbert scoreless, with a total of 4 strikeouts and only 1 hit allowed over 5 innings.
Marquardt led the offense with four hits, including two doubles and a home run, while driving in four runs. Swanepoel contributed significantly by scoring three runs, recording three RBIs, and stealing two bases. Lathrop added a triple, scoring twice and collecting three RBIs. Tumm delivered a powerful performance with a home run, contributing three RBIs in a single at-bat.
The Blugolds have a record of 6-4. St. Norbert has a record of 1-3. Looking ahead, UW-Eau Claire will face Nebraska Wesleyan University on Friday, March 13, at 9 a.m. at White Rawlings Field in Melbourne, Florida.
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