The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds began their baseball season with a double-header split against Simpson College at McBride Field in Indianola, Iowa. Both teams now hold a 1-1 record.
In the first game, UW-Eau Claire secured a 6-2 victory. The team built an early lead in the third inning when Logan Hesselman hit a double and John Digregori followed with a two-run home run to center field. Simpson responded with runs in the fifth and seventh innings, tying the score.
Simpson moved ahead in the eighth inning after driving in a run for a 5-4 lead. However, UW-Eau Claire answered in the ninth inning by taking advantage of multiple hit-by-pitches and a balk to score twice and reclaim the lead. The Blugolds’ defense ended the game with a strikeout.
Nicholas Meuser started on the mound for UW-Eau Claire, pitching four innings and allowing two runs on two hits, including one home run. He issued one walk and hit one batter. S. La provided three innings of relief, giving up three runs on five hits while striking out two batters. Cooper Senne closed out the final two innings without allowing any runs and struck out three batters.
Digregori contributed three RBIs along with his home run. Austin Buck had two hits and scored once while playing second base; Hesselman added another double and scored as well.
In game two, Simpson took control during the third inning following timely hitting and errors from UW-Eau Claire’s defense. A double by Campin was followed by hit-by-pitches and a single from Cagley that drove in Simpson’s first run; an error allowed another to score.
UW-Eau Claire attempted to rally in later innings but left several runners stranded, including leaving the bases loaded in both the sixth and eighth innings.
Evan Fischer pitched five innings for UW-Eau Claire, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out six batters over 65 pitches with only one walk issued. Draza Dupor provided an inning of relief but gave up three runs on three hits—including a home run—and struck out one batter. Ben Dorantes finished with two scoreless innings, not allowing any hits while striking out two batters.
At the plate, Hesselman drew four walks; Buck recorded five assists defensively at second base; Digregori contributed another hit—a double—and scored once.
Both teams will meet again on February 28 at 1:00 PM.
The official website states that UW-Eau Claire Blugolds serve both campus members and residents through collegiate athletics across Wisconsin. They utilize various facilities for their 25 intercollegiate teams (https://blugolds.com/), operate under their university’s athletics department (https://blugolds.com/), have inducted hundreds into their Hall of Fame (https://blugolds.com/), field more than twenty varsity sports teams for men and women (https://blugolds.com/), and represent Eau Claire while engaging its community (https://blugolds.com/).
Fans can follow updates throughout the season via Blugolds.com or through social media channels such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
