Molly Tumanic

Superb pitching and improved hitting proved to be a successful combination for the UW-Eau Claire softball team Monday in their nightcap against conference rival UW-Stout.

In the first game of the double-header at Menomonie’s Alumni Field, the Blugolds fell 2-0, despite giving up only two hits.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth, when a Blue Devil walk preceded a two-run homer by Stout’s Erin O’Connell.

Junior Molly Blakewell and freshman Shannon Wing were the only Blugolds to pick up hits in the game, getting two apiece.

Coach Leslie Huntington said she was not necessarily disappointed with the loss.

“I thought we played two good games,” she said.

The tide turned as the Blugolds stepped up their offense, pounding out 10 hits to win the second game 7-2.

After giving up a run in the bottom of the first, Eau Claire responded with four runs on four hits in the top of the second.

Blakewell said hitting was the key to the win against Stout.

“Our bats were just hitting the spots,” she said. “We stepped it up as a team overall.”

Sophomore pitcher Andrea Neuville agreed.

“Our hitting came around a lot better in the second game,” she said.

An RBI double in the third inning and two singles in the fifth helped the Blugolds secure their victory.

Neuville helped carry Eau Claire during the game, getting the win after allowing four hits and one run in four innings.

“Personally, with pitching, I always try to get ahead of the batters,” she said, “and try to get most of them through and make them effective.”

Neuville also said the first game fueled the Blugolds’ ability to win the second.

“Every loss is a learning experience,” she said.

Blakewell agreed, saying the team as a whole improved its playing in the second game.

“We worked together to get that win,” she said. “We stepped it up as a team overall.”

The Eau Claire softball team continued its practices this week in anticipation of their matchup against UW-La Crosse todayt at Carson Park.

Huntington said she is looking forward to the game against the Eagles.

“I’m expecting a tough battle,” she said, adding La Crosse is traditionally a strong team in the WIAC.

Blakewell said the team will take the game one step at a time.

“We have the desire to win,” she said. “We need to play each play pitch by pitch.”