Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team began its 2025 season by securing a doubleheader sweep against Bethel University at U.S. Bank Stadium on Tuesday. The Blugolds emerged victorious with scores of 7-5 and 5-3, concluding both games in seven innings.

In the first game, UW-Eau Claire's Drew Salyers and Cole Clausen made significant contributions with five hits each across the two matches. Salyers delivered four hits in the second game, while Clausen went three for three in the opener. The Blugolds overcame an initial deficit after Bethel scored early, as Diego Caicedo and Clausen responded with RBI singles to give UW-Eau Claire a 2-1 lead.

Austin Buck and Clausen extended their advantage with consecutive home runs in the third inning, pushing the score to 5-1. Despite Bethel leveling the score at 5-5 in the fourth inning, UW-Eau Claire regained control through Clausen's RBI single in the fifth and Brayton Thillman's run-scoring single in the sixth. Sebastian De La Toba secured the win with a three-inning relief performance without conceding any runs.

The second game saw a similar pattern unfold, as UW-Eau Claire pulled ahead in the fifth inning following a tie at 2-2. Will Johnson's two-RBI triple put them ahead 4-2 before Bethel narrowed it to a one-run gap. Buck's RBI single restored their two-run lead in the sixth inning.

Brennan Cohen earned victory honors on the mound with his five-inning start, allowing only three runs while striking out three batters. Draza Dupor closed out with two scoreless innings and struck out all three batters faced in the seventh inning to end the match.

The Blugolds are set to host Carleton College for another doubleheader on Saturday, March 8, starting at noon at Carson Park. Fans can follow updates on Blugolds.com or via their app and social media platforms.