April 23, 2007 - April 29, 2007

Pitcher: Bri Sturm, Pitcher/Utility, Sophomore, Zumbrota, MN/Mazeppa-Zumbrota

Sturm appeared in six of 10 games for the Blugolds last week in which Eau Claire went 5-1. As a starter Sturm went 3-1 with three complete games and one complete game shutout. Sturm’s only loss of the week was a 1-0 decision at conference champion UW-Oshkosh where the only run of the game scored was unearned. Sturm was the pitcher of record as the Blugolds defeated UW-La Crosse 5-1, UW-Stout 8-0 in five innings and UW-Superior 3-2 earning the win pitching eight innings. In six games Sturm went 5-1 allowing 23 hits, 11 strike outs, seven walks, four runs of which two were earned for an earned-run average of 0.48.

Position: Jill Janke, First Base, Junior, Black River Falls, WI

Janke continues to lead the Blugolds from the plate as Blugolds won seven WIAC contests last week. Janke knocked in the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Blugolds defeated UW-Superior 3-2. For the week Janke went 12-for-29 from the plate for a .413 batting average driving in four runs and scoring two. From the field Janke recorded 72 putouts and two assists and no errors. Janke has yet to record an error in 38 games this season.

April 9, 2007 - April 15, 2007

Pitcher: Bri Sturm, Pitcher/Utility, Sophomore, Zumbrota, MN/Mazeppa-Zumbrota

Sturm earned wins in four of the Blugolds’ five wins last week as the Blugolds returned to the field after a slew of postponements to open conference play. Facing their first opponent in 17 days, Sturm pitched six innings allowing one run in six innings for a 9-1 victory at home versus St. Norbert. Sturm went the distance in the second game of a doubleheader against St. Mary’s (MN) when Eau Claire scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn a 7-6 win. In her only loss of the week Sturm pitched seven innings scattering four hits with the only run of the game coming off a solo home run as the Blugolds lost to UW-Stevens Point 1-0. The following day at UW-Whitewater Sturm started both games, pitching four innings as Eau Claire won game one 10-3 and five innings in game two as the Blugolds earned a sweep of the Warhawks with an 11-4 victory. For the week Sturm pitched 31.1 innings allowing 17 runs on 38 hits, all earned for an earned run average of 3.80 to go along with 14 strikeouts and eight walks.

Position: Mallory McKinney, Pitcher/Utility, Senior, Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park

After a 17 day lay-off due to inclement weather, McKinney used her bat to help Eau Claire win five of eight games in the Blugolds’ first week of conference play. In a doubleheader sweep of St. Norbert McKinney totaled three RBI’s including her first home run of the season. In a split against St. Mary’s (MN) McKinney drove in three of the Blugolds’ nine runs in both games. At UW-Whitewater McKinney continued her consistency driving in runs as she knocked in a pair of RBI’s in both games as the Blugolds earned the road sweep. In eight games McKinney went 12-for-24 from the plate for a batting average of .500 that included two doubles and one home run. McKinney knocked in 10 home runs, hit two sacrifice flies and walked once while striking out twice from the plate.

March 18, 2007 - March 24, 2007

Pitcher: Mallory McKinney, Senior, Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park

McKinney and the ninth-ranked Blugolds went 9-1 at the Sun West Games in Orange, California beating three teams currently ranked in the NFCA Division III Top 25 in the process. In a 2-1 victory over top-ranked St. Thomas (MN) McKinney pitched all seven innings allowing four hits and one earned run striking out six Tommie batters while walking just one. Against host and sixth-ranked Chapman (CA) McKinney pitched another complete game allowing eight hits and one earned run in the 3-2 win. Facing 22nd-ranked Williams (MA) McKinney came in relief to pitch the final three innings of the game allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out one and walking one in the victory. In her only loss of the week against St. Thomas McKinney pitched eight innings allowing two earned runs on five hits. For the week McKinney went 5-1 with a 1.08 ERA in 32.1 innings. McKinney allowed seven runs, five earned, scattering 25 hits and striking out 21 batters while only walking five.

Position: Jill Janke, First Base, Junior, Black River Falls, WI
Also selected as WIAC Position Player of the Week

Janke and the ninth-ranked Blugolds went 9-1 at the Sun West Games in Orange, California beating three teams currently ranked in the NFCA Division III Top 25 in the process. Janke’s home runs each came in separate games including a 13-0 win over Amherst (MA), 8-7 win against Elmhurst (IL), 20-6 victory over 22nd-ranked Williams (MA) and a 15-4 decision over Augsburg (MN). Janke also set the school career record for hit-by-pitches when she was hit for the eighth time in three season. For the week Janke went 12-of-28 from the plate (a .429 average), scored 13 runs and drove in 12 runs-batted-in. Janke recorded four home runs, two doubles and finished the week with a .929 slugging percentage. From the field Janke tallied 83 put outs and four assists with no errors in 10 games.