ST. PAUL, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire had a remarkable week, securing a decisive 13–3 victory against the University of Northwestern Eagles followed by a strong 3-1 win over the same opponent on Wednesday at Reynolds Field. On the day, the Blugolds recorded 19 hits and 14 RBIs over 12 innings, highlighted by four doubles and six stolen bases.
In the first game against Northwestern, the Blugolds kicked off the scoring when
Paige Lathrop doubled, setting the stage for
Molly Marquardt's double that brought Lathrop home for the first run. By the end of the first inning, UWEC led 1–0. The second inning saw
Breeley Gluch double and score on an error, while
Brooklyn Swanepoel reached third base and crossed home plate on a bunt single by Lathrop, extending the lead to 3–0.
The Blugolds' momentum continued in the third inning, with
Siri Springer scoring on a single by Gluch, followed by Swanepoel and
Maddy Pieper, who pinch ran for
Chloe Ricard, scoring on Lathrop's single. An additional run scored on an error, ending the inning with a 7–0 lead. In the fourth inning,
Claire Beck and
Norah Kutnink scored on a Ricard single, and Swanepoel and Gluch scored on a Lathrop single, concluding the inning with a commanding 12–1 advantage after the Eagles hit a solo home run.
In the fifth inning, a wild pitch allowed
Kennedy Tumm to score after reaching base on a fielder's choice. Northwestern attempted a late rally with two runs, but the game concluded with UW-Eau Claire victorious, 13–3.
Emma Sather pitched 2 innings for the Blugolds in game one, allowing 4 hits and 3 earned runs while not issuing any walks.
Paige Lathrop led with four hits, five RBIs, and three stolen bases.
Claire Beck pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
Breeley Gluch crossed home plate three times and added two hits with one RBI, while
Brooklyn Swanepoel tallied three runs and two hits with two RBIs.
In the second game, the Blugolds secured a tighter 3-1 victory. The first inning saw
Paige Lathrop walk and steal second, later advancing to third on
Norah Kutnink's sacrifice bunt.
Molly Marquardt also walked and stole second, setting the stage for
Claire Beck, who singled to bring home both Lathrop and Marquardt. UWEC led 2-0 after the first inning.
In the third inning, Lathrop singled up the middle and advanced to second on a walk to Kutnink. Marquardt's sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. Beck then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Lathrop to score and extending the lead to 3-0. Northwestern's only run came in the seventh inning when Eagles singled and later scored on a RBI single, finalizing the score at 3-1 in favor of UWEC.
Kasey Felden pitched a strong 6 2/3 innings for the Blugolds, allowing just five hits and one earned run while striking out four batters, improving her record to 4-2.
Megan Standiford contributed by closing the game, pitching 1/3 of an inning without allowing any hits or runs.
Claire Beck delivered a key performance with two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Lathrop contributed with two runs, one hit, and a stolen base, while Marquardt added a run, a hit, and a stolen base.
The Blugolds now hold an overall record of 20-6, while the Eagles have a record of 13-11. Looking ahead, UW-Eau Claire will host UW-Oshkosh on Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. CT at Bollinger Field in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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