Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire softball team advanced to the regional final in the 2025 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament after winning two elimination games on Friday. The Blugolds defeated the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and then secured a comeback victory over No. 19 Baldwin Wallace in ten innings.

In their first game, UW-Eau Claire (29-15) scored three runs on five hits in the initial two innings against Pittsburgh. Kenna Strunsee contributed significantly with a perfect three-for-three performance from the plate, adding two RBIs to secure a 4-1 win. Jacie Schultz earned her 13th win of the season by pitching four innings without allowing any runs, while Lauren Trottier provided relief by giving up just one run and collecting two strikeouts.

During the second game, Baldwin Wallace (32-6) initially led with seven runs in four innings. However, Kiara Schubert's NCAA postseason debut turned the tide as she pitched six scoreless innings, earning her first win of the season. The Blugolds rallied in the fifth inning with five runs off one hit, narrowing Baldwin Wallace's lead to 7-5.

With three outs remaining in the seventh inning, UW-Eau Claire managed to tie the game through consecutive singles and a fielder's choice play by Paige Lathrop. In extra innings, both teams were held scoreless until Molly Marquardt's sacrifice fly allowed Brooklyn Swanepoel to score from third base, securing an 8-7 victory for Eau Claire.

The Blugolds will face Trine University on Saturday, May 17 in the Regional Final at SportONE/Parkview Softball Field. They need to defeat Trine twice to advance to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals.