Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team concluded the NFCA Leadoff Classic with two victories on Sunday morning. The Blugolds defeated LaGrange College 11-4 and Spalding University 12-4, ending the tournament with a record of 5-1.

During these games, the Blugolds hit four home runs. Senior Claire Beck from Jefferson, Wisconsin, contributed two home runs—one in each game. Against LaGrange, UW-Eau Claire overcame an early 3-0 deficit by scoring four runs in the third inning and six more in the fifth. Sophomore Molly Marquardt from Manhattan, Illinois, and Beck started the fifth inning with consecutive home runs. Marquardt also added a two-RBI single later in that inning as the team batted around.

Marquardt ended up going 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Junior Paige Lathrop from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had two hits and one RBI. Beck secured the win by pitching six innings against LaGrange, allowing three earned runs and striking out five batters.

In their game against Spalding, UW-Eau Claire again faced an early challenge but responded after falling behind 2-1 after an inning and a half. Senior Kenna Strunsee from Waukesha, Wisconsin, hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the second inning to give her team a lead they would not relinquish.

Sophomores Norah Kutnink from Winneconne, Wisconsin, and Miranda Gernander from Coleraine, Minnesota both contributed two-RBI singles during this victory. Beck added another two-run homer in the fifth inning.

Strunsee finished Game 2 going 3 for 4 with four RBIs and three runs scored while Beck recorded three hits and four RBIs overall. Lathrop along with Mila Photopoulos (Mundelein), Emma Raikowski (Stevens Point), Gernander (Coleraine), and Kutnink all achieved two hits each.

Sophomore Lauren Trottier from Burlington pitched four innings to earn her win against Spalding; she allowed only two runs while striking out three batters.

Next up for UW-Eau Claire is their home opener where they will host St Norbert College for a doubleheader on Saturday March eighth at Sonnentag Fieldhouse starting at one p.m.

Fans can follow along throughout this season via Blugolds.com or through social media platforms such as Twitter Instagram Facebook using Blugold Sports app too!