Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team faced Baldwin Wallace University in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday. Despite taking an early lead, UW-Eau Claire lost to Baldwin Wallace with a final score of 13-3 after four and a half innings.

In the initial stages, the Blugolds managed to load the bases thanks to singles by Paige Lathrop and Molly Marquardt, along with Claire Beck being hit by a pitch. Norah Kutnick's sacrifice fly and Hailey Hagedorn's RBI single put UWEC ahead with a 2-0 lead. However, Baldwin Wallace quickly responded in the bottom of the second inning, tying the game at 2-2 due to an Eau Claire throwing error and three hits from the Yellowjackets.

UW-Eau Claire briefly regained their lead in the third inning when Molly Marquardt scored on a passed ball. Marquardt was instrumental for the Blugolds, recording two hits and two runs during this contest. Yet, Baldwin Wallace surged ahead in their half of the third inning with eleven runs on nine hits, establishing a commanding 13-3 lead.

The game remained scoreless through the fourth inning and saw no further scoring from UWEC in the fifth inning. As a result, Jacie Schultz (12-5) took her fifth loss of the season in her 18th start.

Next up for UW-Eau Claire is an elimination game against the University of Pittsburgh – Greensburg scheduled for Friday, May 16 at SportONE/Parkview Softball Field.

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