EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire secured two defensive victories against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with identical scores of 3–2 at Bollinger Field on Tuesday. The Blugolds capitalized on key offensive plays and solid pitching performances to clinch both games, despite UW-Stevens Point's ten and eight hits in the respective contests.
In the first game, UW-Eau Claire tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning when
Bella Florio, pinch running for
Molly Marquardt, scored on a double by
Paige Lathrop. The sixth inning saw the Blugolds take the lead when
Norah Kutnink scored on a single by
Hailey Hagedorn. Later,
Breeley Gluch was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Hagedorn to cross the plate. The score after the sixth inning was 3-1. UW-Stevens Point added a run in the seventh inning with an RBI single, but UW-Eau Claire maintained its lead to secure the win. Final score: UW-Eau Claire 3, UW-Stevens Point 2.
Claire Beck delivered a strong performance in the first game, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing just one earned run on 10 hits without issuing any walks. Beck struck out six batters while throwing 105 pitches, 68 of them for strikes, earning her ninth win of the season. In relief,
Kasey Felden secured the save by pitching the final 1/3 inning, throwing eight pitches with five strikes.
Paige Lathrop contributed with two hits and one RBI, including a double.
Hailey Hagedorn tallied one hit and one RBI, adding a run to the scoreboard, while
Breeley Gluch provided a hit and one RBI.
In the second game, the scoring began in the second inning with the Pointers putting a RBI double into left center for the game's first run.
Siri Springer responded with a double and later stole home to tie the score at 1–1. The third inning saw
Breeley Gluch triple to center field, setting up
Paige Lathrop's RBI single that brought Gluch home.
Claire Beck then doubled to drive in Lathrop, extending UW-Eau Claire's lead to 3–1. In the seventh inning, UW-Stevens Point threatened with a double to bring in a run, but UW-Eau Claire's defense held firm, concluding the game with the same 3–2 score.
Kasey Felden pitched 6 1/3 innings in the second game for UW-Eau Claire, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking three. Felden threw a total of 122 pitches, with 74 being strikes, securing her seventh win of the season.
Megan Standiford entered in relief, pitching 2/3 of an inning to earn the save, striking out one and throwing 11 pitches, six of which were strikes.
Looking ahead, the Blugolds will face UW-La Crosse on Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m. at North Campus Field in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugolds.com or on our app, Blugold Sports, and on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
