Two days after losing to UW-Eau Claire in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III softball tournament in Bloomington, Illinois, the UW-Whitewater softball team eliminated Eau Claire on Saturday in a 7-2 decision that lasted nine innings.  The Warhawks improve to 38-6 while the Blugolds finish their season at 28-16.  UW-Whitewater's NCAA Tournament site

Both teams were facing elimination in the double-elimination regional as UW-EC had previously beaten Whitewater, but the Blugolds lost on day one to Coe.

Eau Claire went up 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run double by Jenny Janke.

The Warhawks got one run back in the top of the fifth on a solo homer by Liz Yucuis (S. Elgin, IL/St. Charles East).  They knotted the game at two apiece in the top of the sixth when Suzanne Gersich (Wadsworth, IL/Warren) doubled to send home Ashley Smith (Elgin, IL/St. Edward Catholic).

A scoreless seventh frame by both teams meant bonus softball.  The Warhawks erupted for five runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach for Eau Claire.  Another Yucuis solo homerun was the first run in the inning.  An error allowed the second run to score while the third and fourth runs crossed the plate on sacrifice hits.  The final run of the game also came at the hands of another Eau Claire error.

Yucuis went 2X4 in the game, both home runs, her eighth and ninth of the year.

Jessica Stang (Minnetonka, MN/Minnetonka) again went the distance for UW-W as she pitched all nine innings and gave up four hits and two runs while striking out seven.

The Warhawks will face Illinois Wesleyan later on Saturday.  If the Warhawks defeat the Titans they advance to play in the last day of the regional.  The champion of the regional moves on to compete at the NCAA Division III championships next weekend.

For additional information:
UW-W head coach, Brenda Volk