On Saturday, the Blugold softball team traveled to UW-La Crosse in their first WIAC matchup of the year. The La Crosse Eagles came out on top both games, beating UW-Eau Claire 5-3 and 5-4.

In the first game, the Blugolds started things off when Amanda Fischer made it home after teammate Deanna Gilane got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. That would be the last time the Blugolds were up.

Even with freshman Leah Wolff’s double to left field to score two in the top of the third, La Crosse gained the lead and never looked back. By the end of the first game, the Blugolds collected six hits, scoring three runs.

Emma Wishau started in the circle the second game, and Lauren Blasczyk relieved her in the bottom of the second. While the Eagles initially scored first, the Blugold eventually gained the lead at the top of the third. Kelsey Meredith and Emily Pomykalski both scored that inning, and the following inning, Amanda Houle followed their lead.

The Eagles came back with a three-run home run to keep them ahead 4-3 after that inning. Taylor Pierce found a way to home plate, tying the game. It wasn’t until the bottom of the seventh when the Eagles scored on a fielding error by the Blugolds.

The Blugolds swept UW-Platteville Sunday by scores of 13-7 and 13-3. Eau Claire is now 15-9 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC.

Check out more in Thursday’s edition of The Spectator.