EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (19-16, 12-12) fell to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (31-3, 24-0) with a final score of 6–3 at Carson Park on Monday. The Blugolds tallied all three of their runs in the third inning, including a home run that accounted for one of their two extra-base hits.
UW-Whitewater sealed the game with a decisive three-run rally in the third inning. E. Olson's walk and a wild pitch set the stage, followed by a series of walks and a single by D. Hopper, which pushed across two runs. L. Seymour's groundout added another, giving Wis.-Whitewater a lead it maintained.
UW-Eau Claire's key opportunity came in the third inning when
Logan Hesselman's two-run homer to right field cut the deficit to 5–3. Earlier that inning,
Austin Buck singled, driving in
Kellen Smith, who had doubled. Despite this surge, UWEC was unable to capitalize further, leaving no runners on base afterward.
In the late innings, the Blugolds managed to put runners in position but could not break through. A double play in the sixth inning halted a potential rally, and their batters were retired in order in the eighth, closing the window on a comeback.
Ky Mueller started on the mound for the Blugolds, pitching 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and five earned runs, while striking out three and walking three.
Cooper Senne followed, pitching 1 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits with one walk.
Nate Micech delivered three innings of relief, surrendering just one hit but issuing four walks and striking out two.
Henry Szymanski closed out the game with two scoreless innings, striking out three and throwing 15 strikes out of 23 pitches.
Hesselman recorded two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs. Smith tallied two hits, including a double, and stole a base. Buck contributed with a hit and an RBI.
UW-Eau Claire has a record of 19-16 and is 12-12 in conference play. Wis.-Whitewater holds a record of 31-3, is undefeated in the conference at 24-0, and is ranked No. 3 nationally.
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