Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team narrowly missed recording upset victories as they faced off against the 10th-ranked University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in a doubleheader on Friday at Copeland Park. In both games, the Blugolds led late but ultimately fell with scores of 7-6 and 3-2 against the Eagles.

Throughout Game 1, the Blugolds, now at 6-20 overall and 0-16 in conference, put forth a strong effort against the 22-6 Eagles, who are 12-4 in their conference games. UW-Eau Claire established a 5-1 lead through four and a half innings. Drew Salyers, a senior from Centennial, Colorado, initiated their lead with an RBI double. Austin Buck, a junior from Afton, Minnesota, extended it further with a two-run home run in the fifth inning, making it 5-1.

A critical moment unfolded as the Eagles pulled closer with a two-RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, reducing their deficit to 5-3. Blugolds' senior Cade Mueller from Coal City, Illinois, added an eighth inning RBI single to give them a three-run margin. However, the Eagles leveled the contest with back-to-back RBI singles in their half of the eighth. They clinched the win in the ninth inning on a bases-loaded walk.

Brennan Cohen, a senior from Vestavia Hills, Alabama, delivered a commendable performance on the mound for the Blugolds, striking out three and allowing three runs in five innings before receiving a no-decision. Eli Keirstead from Savage, Minnesota, and Buck each tallied two hits.

In Game 2, the Blugolds faced an early 1-0 deficit which they reversed in the seventh inning. Senior Dustan Green from Prior Lake, Minnesota, managed a two-RBI single to move the Blugolds ahead. Yet the Eagles tied the game in the same inning on a fielder's choice, securing victory with a run scored on a passed ball.

Evan Fischer of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and fellow freshman Tyler Webb from Strum, Wisconsin, contributed significantly from the mound, with each striking out three over their respective periods of play.

The series is slated to continue with another doubleheader at Copeland Park on Saturday, April 19, starting at noon.

For ongoing updates, fans are encouraged to stay connected via Blugolds.com or through the Blugold Sports app and social media platforms.