“Hard to put into words just how happy I am for this group of young women,” Huntington tweeted. | Shutterstock
“Hard to put into words just how happy I am for this group of young women,” Huntington tweeted. | Shutterstock
The look on UW Eau Claire women’s softball coach Leslie Huntington’s face said it all after her team rallied for two runs late to knock off top-seeded UW Lacrosse 8-7 in the WIAC title game to earn a berth in the NCAA championships.
“Hard to put into words just how happy I am for this group of young women,” Huntington tweeted. “They have done everything we have asked. This celebration took my breath away. I love each and every one of them. So proud of this team.”
The Blugolds are now set to face Trine in the first round of the NCAA tournament from May 13-15 in Indiana. With a win, the Blugolds would earn a date against the winner of the North Central Illinois-Penn State in the regionals set to commence on May 20.
Against Lacrosse, there was no shortage of heroes, with the Blugolds pushing across two runs in the bottom of the seventh to secure the come-from-behind win.
With one out in the seventh, the Lacrosse Tribune reports that Megan Maruna jumpstarted the rally with a one-out double to left. Back-to-back walks to Kenna Strunsee and Sadie Erickson loaded the bases before Ellie Decker’s RBI single and Maria Back’s RBI groundout put the Blugolds ahead for good. Maruna finished the game with three hits, including two doubles, and Decker added a pair of hits to go with two RBIs.
With the Blugolds going undefeated in the tournament, Erickson also starred, connecting for a fifth inning homer against the Eagles.
The Blugolds quickly jumped on their state rivals, taking full advantage of some early Eagles’ miscues to take a 4-0 lead in the second inning.
Alerts Sign-up