EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (17-15, 10-11) faced a challenging doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (18-15, 9-13) at Carson Park on Saturday, suffering two defeats with scores of 3–2 and 2–16.
In the first game, UW-Eau Claire fell narrowly as
Austin Curti shone with a home run in the fifth inning. The Blugolds initially took the lead with
Logan Scuglik's double to right center, followed by
Brayton Thillman's RBI double down the right field line.
Kellen Smith also contributed significantly with a solo home run in the second inning. However, UW-Platteville secured the winning run in the top of the ninth inning when Connor Gresens delivered an RBI single, driving in Kaleb Elwood, who had reached base on a walk and advanced through a sacrifice bunt. Despite a ninth-inning rally that included a walk by
Logan Hesselman and a stolen base by pinch runner
Eli Keirstead, UW-Eau Claire's efforts fell short as they struck out twice and grounded out to conclude the game.
Nicholas Meuser delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 8 innings with 3 hits allowed and no earned runs, striking out 6 batters while issuing 2 walks.
Ben Dorantes pitched 1 inning in relief, allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit.
Kellen Smith recorded a crucial home run, contributing to his single RBI and run scored, while Scuglik added two hits, including a double, and scored a run.
In the second game, UW-Eau Claire struggled significantly against UW-Platteville's offensive surge, which resulted in a final score of 2–16. The Blugolds managed eight hits and three stolen bases, but it was not enough to overcome the opponent's attack. UW-Platteville capitalized on miscues during a pivotal eighth inning, scoring four runs to extend their lead after a throwing error allowed a run to score.
The Blugolds' offense struggled to convert opportunities, with
Kellen Smith's sacrifice fly in the first inning bringing in the team's only run until the eighth inning, where
Logan Scuglik's double and
Connor Hennen's RBI single offered a brief spark. Defensively, UW-Eau Claire turned a double play in the first inning to limit damage, but errors and missed chances proved costly.
Evan Fischer pitched 7 innings, allowing 8 hits and 4 earned runs while striking out 5 batters. He threw 112 pitches, with 70 strikes, and issued one walk and four hit batters.
Paul Goryl pitched 1/3 of an inning, giving up 2 earned runs on 2 hits, and
Draza Dupor allowed 7 earned runs on 6 hits in 1 2/3 innings, including a home run. Scuglik again posted two hits, including a double, and drew a walk, while
Connor Hennen contributed with a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base.
Overall, UW-Eau Claire holds a record of 17-15 while UW-Platteville stands at 18-15 following the doubleheader.
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