Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team faced a challenging start to their Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) season, dropping two games to the top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday. The Warhawks secured victories with scores of 12-2 and 10-1.

Drew Salyers, a senior from Centennial, Colorado, made a notable achievement during the doubleheader, becoming the Blugolds' all-time leader in runs scored. Salyers scored three runs, bringing his career total to 106 and surpassing the previous record of 104 set by Craig Jilek in 1994.

The doubleheader marked the Blugolds' first encounter with a No. 1-ranked team since the program resumed in 2021.

The Warhawks, holding a 11-0 record and 2-0 in the conference, quickly built a 6-0 lead in Game 1 using two three-run innings. Although the Blugolds, with a 6-7 record, responded with two runs from a Diego Caicedo two-RBI single, UW-Whitewater extended their lead and maintained control. Within the same game, the Warhawks achieved three two-run homers. Salyers led the offense with two hits and also stole a base. The starting pitcher, Nicholas Meuser, pitched five innings, conceding nine runs while striking out four.

In the second game, Salyers got the Blugolds on the board with a solo home run in the first inning. Despite this strong start, UW-Whitewater dominated the game, scoring five runs in the third inning and additional home runs in the following innings. Brennan Cohen started the game for the Blugolds, pitching six innings, allowing seven earned runs, and striking out five. Salyers concluded the doubleheader going 3-for-7 at the plate.

The WIAC series will continue with another doubleheader on Friday, March 28, beginning at 12 p.m. Fans can follow the Blugolds throughout the season at Blugolds.com or via social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.