Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team achieved a strong start at the Space Coast Spring Games, winning their first two matches on Wednesday at White Easton Field. The Blugolds secured an 8-0 victory against Rutgers-Newark in five innings and a 10-0 win over Western Connecticut State in six innings, thanks to impressive pitching performances.

The Blugolds (10-2) were propelled by complete game shutouts from their pitchers. Senior Claire Beck from Jefferson, Wisconsin, delivered a one-hitter against Rutgers-Newark, while Jacie Schultz, a senior from Lake Crystal, Minnesota, pitched a two-hitter against Western Connecticut State.

Beck received early support with a one-run lead in the first inning against Rutgers-Newark and maintained control by allowing only one hit across five innings. She struck out six batters and issued just one walk. The UW-Eau Claire offense widened the gap in the fifth inning with five runs. Key contributions included an RBI double by Molly Marquardt and a two-RBI single by Haylie Schmidt. Additional run-scoring singles came from Beck, Mila Photopoulos, Breann Blanchard, and Kenna Strunsee.

Strunsee also made significant contributions at bat with two hits in the first game alongside Marquardt, Paige Lathrop, and Brooklyn Swanepoel.

Schultz flirted with perfection against Western Connecticut State until surrendering her first baserunner via a leadoff single in the sixth inning. Despite this setback, she completed her shutout performance over six innings without issuing any walks and striking out two batters.

The Blugolds led 4-0 before scoring six more runs in the final inning against Western Connecticut State. Marquardt and Megan Patterson each hit RBI doubles while Emma Raikowski added a two-RBI triple. Strunsee continued her strong play with another pair of hits and stole two bases.

Next on their schedule is another match-up against Western Connecticut State followed by facing Millikin on Thursday.