Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team faced the UW-Stout Blue Devils in a doubleheader on Saturday at Carson Park. Despite being the home opener for the Blugolds, they succumbed to the Blue Devils in both games. The Blugolds lost 5-3 in the first game and 17-6 in the second.

During the first game, both teams participated in a tight pitcher's duel. Nicholas Meuser from the Blugolds and Drew Buss of the Blue Devils combined for a total of 15 strikeouts and limited walks to just two. The game took a turn when UW-Stout secured a one-run advantage in the fifth inning and added two more runs in the sixth.

The Blugolds managed to score in the bottom of the sixth, with Drew Salyers scoring on a passed ball followed by an RBI single from Logan Hesselman. However, UW-Stout responded with a solo home run in the seventh inning. Although Jack Eustice hit a sacrifice fly for the Blugolds, the team couldn't close the gap any further.

In the second game, the Blue Devils displayed strong offensive play by hitting four home runs, contributing to their 17 runs. With a lead of 5-4, they extended the margin with a five-run burst in the fifth inning, thanks to a three-run homer. The Blugolds attempted to catch up when Austin Buck delivered an RBI double in the sixth, but the lead proved too large to overcome.

Drew Salyers stood out with three hits for the Blugolds in the second game, while Logan Hesselman and Jack Eustice each contributed two hits.

The series between the two groups will continue with another doubleheader on Sunday, April 6, at Carson Park, starting at noon. Information and updates on Blugolds baseball can be found on their official platforms, including Blugolds.com and their social media channels.