#3 UW-Eau Claire 5, #7 Muskingum 1

The Bluegolds Remain Unbeaten

May 17, 2008

 

SALEM, Va. --- UW-Eau Claire trailed for four innings before putting two runs up on the scoreboard in the fifth frame to defeat Muskingum in the 2008 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. 

 

The Blugolds' two runs came after a Michelle Butkus single.  Butkus was thrown out at second but Tessa Pecha and Tamara Zeman were able to round the bases to home. 

 

The Blugolds scored another three runs in the seventh inning.  The first run came in after Jessica Flood was hit by a pitch and forced a runner home.  The final two Blugold runs were forced as well after Bekki Kidnie and Betsy Kittinger were walked.

 

“We did a good job late in the game with our patience at the plate, which resulted in a few more runs for us," said head coach, Leslie Huntington.

 

UW-Eau Claire pitcher, Jenny Ross pitched a complete-game and gave up just four hits and one run on the night.

 

Randi Dance led the Muskingum offense and went 2-for-3 at the plate.  The Muskies only score came in the first inning when Kari Hoying hit a double to right field, allowing for teammate Mary Margaret Boda to score.

 

In the cirlce, Amy Martin pitched five innings for the Muskies and allowed five hits and three runs scored.

 

“We struggled in all areas, " said head coach, Donna Newberry.  "Our offense didn’t help as much, our pitching struggled some, our defense struggled some so we definitely got outplayed tonight.  Hopefully we will regroup and bring a little bit better game to the field tomorrow.”

 

UW-Eau Claire (34-11) will face #1 Louisiana College on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.  Muskingum (41-11) returns to the field on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. to take on UW-Whitewater in Game 10.