PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team faced a challenging doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday at the UWP Softball Complex, suffering an 11–6 loss in Game 1 followed by a high-scoring defeat of 17–11 in Game 2.
In Game 1, UWEC recorded 10 hits and drew seven walks but could not overcome a six-run fifth inning by UW-Platteville. The Blugolds' offense came alive in the third inning when
Claire Beck doubled to right center, driving in
Norah Kutnink and
Paige Lathrop, briefly tying the game at 2–2. However, by the end of the third inning, the score stood at UWEC 2, UWP 4.
Paige Lathrop scored in the fifth inning following a single by
Siri Springer, narrowing the deficit, but UW-Platteville responded emphatically with a six-run inning, extending their lead to 10–3. After six innings, the score was UWEC 4, UW-Platteville 11. In a final push during the seventh inning, UWEC added two more runs, but the game concluded with a final score of 11–6 in favor of the Pioneers.
Kasey Felden pitched 5 1/3 innings for UWEC, allowing three earned runs on ten hits and two walks while hitting two batters. Felden threw 90 pitches with 59 strikes but did not record a strikeout, taking the loss and moving to 6-3 on the season.
Megan Standiford pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up six earned runs on two hits and three hit batters, while
Lauren Heltemes faced three batters without recording an out.
Claire Beck contributed significantly with two RBIs, including a double.
Norah Kutnink scored one run and collected an RBI, while
Paige Lathrop crossed the plate twice.
Brooklyn Swanepoel also had one hit and one RBI.
In Game 2, UWEC opened the game with
Paige Lathrop reaching first on an error and scoring on a sacrifice fly by
Claire Beck, taking an early lead. However, UW-Platteville quickly tied it with a solo home run. In the second inning,
Hailey Hagedorn singled and scored on a hit by
Brooklyn Swanepoel, putting the Blugolds ahead 2–1. The lead grew in the third inning when
Norah Kutnink singled and
Siri Springer hit a two-run homer, but by the end of the inning, it was tied 4–4 after UW-Platteville scored three runs.
Claire Beck homered in the fourth inning, but UW-Platteville responded with three runs, taking a 7–5 lead. The Blugolds rallied in the fifth, scoring six runs, including two from
Jane Wallace's single and one from Beck's groundout, leading 11–9. However, UW-Platteville countered with nine runs in the bottom half, reclaiming the lead at 16–11. They added one more run in the sixth, and UWEC was held scoreless in the final two innings, concluding with a final score of 17–11.
Claire Beck pitched 4 innings, allowing 9 hits and 5 earned runs while striking out 1 batter. She threw 76 pitches, with 51 strikes.
Lauren Trottier pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up 5 earned runs, and was assesed the loss bringing her record to 8-2 on the year.
Emma Sather closed with 1 2/3 innings pitched, allowing 4 earned runs.
Claire Beck recorded three RBIs, including a home run, while
Jane Wallace added two RBIs and two hits, including a double.
Paige Lathrop crossed the plate twice and collected one hit, and Kutnink scored twice with two hits and a stolen base.
The Blugolds have an overall record of 23-9 and are 3-3 in conference play, while UW-Platteville improves to 15-9 and remains undefeated in the conference at 3-0.
Looking ahead, UW-Eau Claire will face UW-Stevens Point on Tuesday, April 21. The game is set for a 3 p.m. CT first pitch at Bollinger Field in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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