The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire baseball team split a home-opening doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Apr. 8 at Carson Park, dropping the first game 6–3 and securing a narrow 4–3 win in the second.
The games were significant for both teams as they sought to improve their records in conference play. The results left UW-Eau Claire with a record of 13-7 overall and 6-2 in conference, while UW-Stevens Point moved to 8-12 overall and 2-8 in conference.
In the first game, despite recording eight hits including a home run by John Digregorio, UW-Eau Claire could not overcome two home runs and fourteen hits from Stevens Point. Cooper Brown’s seventh-inning homer helped extend the Pointers’ lead. Will Johnson doubled and scored late for the Blugolds, but their comeback fell short. Devin Nedland started for Eau Claire, pitching over six innings with four strikeouts.
The second game saw key contributions from Kellen Smith and Cole Clausen, who set up Logan Hesselman’s two-RBI single that proved decisive in the seventh inning. Digregorio hit another solo home run earlier in the contest. Tyler Webb pitched six strong innings with six strikeouts to earn his first win of the season; Ben Dorantes closed out with three strikeouts to secure victory.
According to the official website, UW-Eau Claire Blugolds serve both campus and community through statewide collegiate athletics and operate under the university’s athletics department. The Blugolds field more than two dozen varsity sports teams for men and women, utilizing various on-campus and off-campus facilities for their twenty-five intercollegiate teams according to their official site. Since its inception, their Hall of Fame has enshrined 271 athletes, coaches, and administrators according to university records.
The Blugolds represent Eau Claire as well as engage with its surrounding community through these athletic programs according to information provided by UW-Eau Claire.
