FASTPITCH SOFTBALL
The Blue Devils (5-19, 0-8) will stay in conference play by hosting three conference doubleheaders. Stout will host UW-River Falls (14-12, 1-5), Thursday, April 20 at 4 p.m. then will entertain UW-La Crosse (14-12, 4-4), Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. and UW-Platteville (10-14, 5-5), Sunday, April 23 at noon. Stout won 2-of-3 from the Falcons last year, split a pair with La Crosse, and took both games from Platteville. Last week: The Blue Devils went 0-4 on the week, getting edged by eighth ranked UW-Eau Claire, 2-0, 7-6, in eight innings, April 12 and by UW-Superior, 8-0, and 7-5, April 14. Player of the week: Jackie Juan, So, La Crosse, Wis. (Central); Pitcher of the week: Megan Donley, Sr, Fridley, Minn.

BASEBALL
The Blue Devils (8-15, 7-7) will be at UW-Stevens Point (12-8, 6-3), Wednesday, April 19, then will host Bethel University (11-14), Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. In the home opener April 5, the Blue Devils lost a pair to the Pointers, 15-5, 7-2. Last week: The Blue Devils split a pair of non-conference games with Lawrence University, losing the first, 5-4, then winning the second, 7-6, on April 11. The Blue Devils got back into the playoff race with a four-game sweep over UW-Superior, April 13-14, winning, 18-4, 9-1, 13-4, 11-4. Player of the week: Matt Krause, So, Bonduel, Wis. Pitcher of the week: Scott Decker, Jr, Eau Claire, Wis. (Memorial)

WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
The Blue Devils return to action Friday, April 21 at the UW-La Crosse Quadrangular. Last week: The Blue Devils participated in the unscored Leo Krough Invitational, April 14 at Gustavus Adolphus. Track performer of the week: Oriana Zens, So, Fergus Falls, Minn. Field performer of the week: Erin Berg, Fr, Sheboygan, Wis.

MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
The Blue Devils return to action Friday, April 21 at the UW-La Crosse Phil Esten Quadrangular. Last week: The Blue Devils participated in the unscored UW-Eau Claire Blugold Invitational, April 14. Track performer of the week: Wendell Eskridge, So, Milwaukee, Wis. (Custer); Field performer of the week: Patrick Doty, Sr, Richfield, Minn.

TENNIS
The Blue Devils will be at St. Mary's April 25 and at Martin Luther, May 2.

Softball

STOUT BOUNCES BACK TO MAKE IT A GAME, BUT STILL DROP TWO

MENOMONIE (April 14, 2006) - After getting no-hit in the first game, 8-0, UW-Stout did bounce back in the second game to make a game of it, but still lost both ends of a doubleheader to UW-Superior, falling in the second game, 7-5, Friday.

Jen Reid had a perfect game going for the Yellowjackets (16-9, 4-2) in the opener until Jackie Juan (So, La Crosse) reached on an error in the fifth inning. Reid faced 16, only one over the minimum.

The Blue Devils (5-19, 0-8) needed to recover again in the second game, giving up four runs in the first inning. The Blue Devils scored runs in the second inning when starting pitcher Katie Fichter (Fr, Baraboo) singled in a run, followed by an RBI single by Beth Lloyd (So, Fond du Lac).

Superior jumped out to a 5-2 lead with a run in the third, then extended the lead to 7-2 with two runs in the sixth.

Stout did not go away quietly, adding three runs in the bottom of the seventh when Juan lifted the ball to deep center field for a three-run homer.

Juan was 2-for-4 with the three RBI and Lloyd was 2-for-4. Kathleen Duffy was 3-for-3 to lead Superior and Jamie Bang was 2-for-4.

Stout will host UW-River Falls Thursday, April 20 at 4 p.m. They will host UW-La Crosse, Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. and UW-Platteville, Sunday, April 23.

EAU CLAIRE (April 12, 2006) - UW-Stout was nipped by eighth ranked UW-Eau Claire in both games of a conference doubleheader Wednesday at Carson Park as the Blugolds carried out a 2-0 first game win and eked out an 7-6, eight inning win in the second game.

In the opener, Stout (5-17, 0-6) was held to three hits, but had a chance in the final inning to knot the score, but stranded two runners. Eau Claire had scored an unearned run in the third inning and knocked in another run in the fifth inning.

In the second game, Eau Claire took a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning when Stout exploded for six runs. Pitcher Megan Donley (Sr, Fridley, Minn) helped her own cause with a three-run home run and Amanda McKellips (Fr, Mosinee) drove in two runs with a single.

The Blugolds (21-8, 6-0) answered back with four runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the score. No one scored until the bottom of the eighth inning when the Blue Devils delivered a bases loaded walk for the game winner.

McKellips led Stout at the plate, going 3-for-4 with the two RBI. Jackie Juan (So, La Crosse) was 2-for-3 and Tara Donahue (Fr, Littlefork, Minn) was 2-for-4.

BLUE DEVILS TAKE SERIES SWEEP OVER YELLOWJACKETS

SUPERIOR (April 14, 2006) - UW-Stout pounded out 23 hits in the two games and went on to complete a four-game series sweep over UW-Superior, getting 13-4, 11-4 wins over the Yellowjackets.

Stout (8-15, 7-7) scored three runs in the second inning of the first game on run scoring hits by Nick Klaren (Fr, North St. Paul, Minn) and a Dan Olson (Jr, Eau Claire) and a fielder's choice by Jon Dobson (Jr, Mankato). The Yellowjackets (3-21, 0-12) tied the game with three runs in the fifth inning, two on a two-run homer by RJ Keur.

Stout took control of the game by scoring two runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth, then tagging on four runs in the ninth. Seth Maier (Jr, Park Falls) drove in two runs in the ninth with a double. The 'Jackets added a run in the bottom half of the ninth.

Maier went 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Olson went 2-for-5 with three RBI, including a home run. Dobson drove in two runs and Erik Johnson (So, La Crosse) was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Matt Christman (Sr, South Milwaukee) pitched seven innings, striking out six, for the win.

In the second game, Stout jumped to a 3-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double by Matt Krause (So, Bonduel), a sacrifice fly by Tim Schneider (So, West Salem) and when Bryan Vilstrup (So, Frederic) reached on an error. Superior chipped at the lead with a single run in the third. Stout countered that run in the fourth on an RBI single by Luke Schultz (Jr, Menomonie), then added two more runs in the fifth.

The Yellowjackets cut the score to 6-2 in the fifth. A Dan Mielke (Fr, Burnsville, Minn) single and a triple by Johnson plated two more runs in the eighth for Stout. Eric Paul drove in two runs and Sean Wilson added another in the ninth.

Krause was 3-for-5 for the Blue Devils and Schultz was 2-for-5. Tony Visger was 2-for-5 for the Yellowjackets and Paul Schlangen was 2-for-3. Klaren picked up the win for Stout, striking out six and allowing two runs. Brock Stimson (So, Lakeville, Minn) made his first appearance of the season, striking out four in two innings of relief.

Stout will be at UW-Stevens Point, Wednesday, April 19.

SUPERIOR (April 13, 2006) - UW-Stout exploded for 10 runs in the sixth inning on their way to an 18-4, seven-inning, first game win, then turned around and got a strong pitching effort from Scott Decker (Jr, Eau Claire) to down the Yellowjackets, 9-1, in the second game.

The Blue Devils sent 15 to the plate in the sixth inning of the opener, which started off with three home runs in the first four batters in the inning. Erik Johnson (So, La Crosse) led off with a home run. Nick Klaren (Fr, North St. Paul, Minn) singled, then was brought home with a home run by Adam Olson (Sr, Mosinee). Matt Krause (So, Bonduel) followed up with a solo shot.

Stout (6-15, 5-7) had built an 8-0 lead coming into the sixth.

Seth Maier (Jr, Park Falls), Tanner Kattre (Fr, Abbotsford), and Olson each drove in a run in the first inning. Krause scored on a passed ball in the third, Maier had a solo home run in the fourth, and Luke Schultz (Jr, Menomonie) doubled in a two runs in the fifth.

John Englund (Sr, Lakeville, Minn) picked up the win, striking out four in five innings of work. Schultz was 3-for-5 and Maier was 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Decker went the distance and chalked up eight strikeouts on his way to a two hitter. Decker walked only two and faced only three batters over the minimum in the complete game effort.

The Blue Devils opened the scoring when Kattre drove in a run in the first. The Yellowjackets (3-19, 0-10) got to Decker in the bottom half of the inning, getting their only two hits of the game and their only run of the contest. Decker allowed only one more base runner the rest of the way, that coming in the ninth inning.

Stout got the eventual winning runs in the fourth inning on a two run home run by Tim Schneider (So, West Salem). The Blue Devils added two more on a sacrifice fly by Krause and an infield single by Schultz in the sixth.

Johnson singled in a run in the seventh, and Maier drove in a run in the eighth. Krause capped off the game with a two-run home run in the ninth.

Schultz was 3-for-5, Krause 2-for-4 with three RBI and Schneider 2-for-5 with two RBI.

MENOMONIE (April 11, 2006) - Erik Johnson's (So, La Crosse) sacrifice fly in the final inning was enough to give UW-Stout a 7-6 win over Lawrence University Tuesday and forge a split in the doubleheader. The Vikings won the first game, 5-4.

After seeing Lawrence (7-11) tie the game in the top of the seventh with two runs, one unearned, Seth Maier (Jr, Park Falls) led off the bottom of the seventh with a double. Tanner Kattre's (Fr, Abbotsford) sacrifice bunt moved Maier to third, setting the stage for Johnson. With two strikes against him, Johnson lifted the ball to shallow right field and Maier beat the throw home for the win.

Stout (4-15) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two innings. The Vikings cut the lead in half with a run in the fourth. Stout got two runs in the bottom of the inning. Tim Schneider (So, West Salem) drove in a run with a double, then, after moving to third on a fly out, scored on a wild pitch for a 5-1 lead.

Lawrence pulled to within one run when Billy Bodle hit his second three-run home run of the day, this time in the fifth inning.

Stout scored a run in the sixth, a run they would need, when Dan Mielke (So, Burnsville, Minn) stroked his second sacrifice fly of the game, bringing in Nick Klaren (Fr, North St. Paul, Minn).

Things started to unravel for the Blue Devils in the seventh. The Vikings' leadoff, Tim Salm, reached on an outfield error. Matt Krause (So, Bonduel) moved from the catcher spot to the mound, only to see the game tied after two runs scored. After walking in a run, Krause, who would get the win, settled down to strike out the final two batters, setting the stage for bottom half of the inning.

Maier was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for Stout. Mielke, with four quality trips to the plate, was 1-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI.

Jordan Clark was 3-for-4 for the Vikings with an RBI. Bodle was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Bryan Rosen was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

In the opener, the Blue Devils blew a 3-0 advantage, allowing five runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Bodle's three-run smash to right field.

Stout got on the board with three runs in the third. Klaren hit his first home run of the season and Kattre scored two with a single to left field.

Stout pulled to within one run, 5-4, in the sixth inning on a lead off, solo shot by Kattre to left center. The Blue Devils stranded one in the bottom of the seventh.

Kattre was 2-for-3 in the game four Stout, while Bryan Vilstrup (So, Frederic) went 2-for-2, with a walk and one runs scored as the lead off. Lawrence had no one hit more than one hit, but Bodle tallied three RBI off his home run.

Dan Olson (Jr, Eau Claire) took the loss for Stout, but had a perfect game going after three-plus innings, then allowed a runner on an error in the fourth. Through five innings, Olson allowed 17 batters, only two over the minimum, before getting roughed up in the sixth. He finished the day with six strikeouts, but all six hits and five earned runs.

CHAR EDWARDS TAKES A FOURTH AT GUSTAVUS MEET

ST. PETER, Minn (April 14, 2006) - Char Edwards (Fr, Danbury) placed fourth in the 100-hurdles at the Leo Krough Invitational, Saturday at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Edwards clocked a time of 15.99 seconds in the race. Jasmine Patzner (So, Taylor) was sixth (16.25). Stefanie Irwin (Fr, Elk Mound) was eighth in the 400-hurdles (1:13.06), Sam Strunk (Jr, Athens) was seventh in the javelin (98-8) and Taylor Mayo (So, Iron River, Mich) was eighth in the javelin (96-10). Erin Berg (Fr, Sheboygan) was seventh in the triple jump (34-0). Edwards placed sixth in the high jump (4-11.75), Carrie Peterson (So, Luck) was seventh (4-11.75) and Mayo was eighth (4-9.75). No team scores were kept.

High jump: 1. Becky Schulz (Augustana) 5-3.75; 6. Char Edwards 4-11.75; 7. Carrie Peterson 4-11.75; 8. Taylor Mayo 4-9.75; 13. Becky Monyhan 4-6; Pole vault: 1. Shanna Dawson (Gustavus) 11-1.75; 11. Tabitha Blanchard 9-8; 13. Amelia Treptow 9-2.25; Long jump: 1. Lisa Paulson (Mankato) 18-9.75; 19. Jackie Bruchez 14-6.50; 20. Erin Berg 14-6; 21. Katie Kronebusch 14-5; Triple jump: 1. Susan Brown (Macalester) 37-6.75; 7. Erin Berg 34-0; 11. Jackie Bruchez 32-5.75; 12. Katie Kronebusch 32-4.25; 16. Tessa Rohl 30-9; Javelin: 1. Amy Koester (Wartburg) 119-6; 7. Sam Strunk 98-8; 8. Taylor Mayo 96-10; 13. Nikki Sims 82-8; 19. Carrie Peterson 65-5; Shot put: 1. Liz Podominick (Minnesota) 49-4.50; 17. Christa Leesman 29-7.50; 18. Nikki Sims 29-4.75; Discus: 1. Liz Podominick (Minnesota) 167-9; 19. Christa Leesman 85-10; Hammer: 1. Jessica Stephan (Minnesota) 166-5; 16. Christa Leesman 90-6.

Men's Track & Field

GONZENBACH TAKES A FIRST, ESKRIDGE HAS GOOD DAY AT EAU CLAIRE

EAU CLAIRE (April 14, 2006) - Derek Gonzenbach (Jr, Milbank, SD) placed first in the 400-meter hurdles and Wendell Eskridge (So, Milwaukee) had a couple of top four finishes in the sprints at the UW-Eau Claire Blugold Invitational Friday.

Gonzenbach clocked a time of 54.52 in the hurdles and Eskridge improved on his fourth place finish in the 100 meter preliminaries to finish second in the finals of the event (11.25). He also placed fourth in the 200-meter (22.53). The 4x100-meter relay team was first (41.98).

Brett Heimstead (Sr, Savage, Minn) took second in the steeplechase (9:36.97).Kendall Wade (Fr, Milwaukee) was third in the high jump (6-feet, 0.75-inches) and Patrick Doty (Sr, Richfield, Minn) was fourth in the pole vault (14-5.25).

Zak Germo (Jr, Mapleton) placed fourth in the triple jump (41-5.25) while competing at the Gustavus Adolphus Invitational Friday.

High jump: 1. Parker Robinson (Minnesota) 6-4.75; 3. Kendall Wade 6-0.75; 5. Brad Hoerth 5-8.75; Pole vault: 1. Ben Graham (Minnesota) 14-11; 4. Patrick Doty 14-5.25; Long jump: 1. Dan Roemhild (EC) 21-7.50; 5. Garret Fletch 20-2.25; 7. Sean Gallagher 19-3.50; Triple jump: 1. Eric Eigenfeld (EC) 43-2.50; 8. Garret Fletch 39-4; 10. Bakari Williams 37-5; Shot put: 1. Adam Schaible (Minesota) 55-6.25; 15. Eric Peplinski 41-10.75; 20. Ben Corcoran 39-7.75; 21. Zach Schaefer 39-5; 22. Jon Wolf 39-3; 24. Sean Larson 37-10.50; 26. Ryan Ament 35.5.25; 27. Andrew Berlin 35.2; 31. Derren Izdepski 29-4; Discus: 1. Mike Turgeon (unattached) 172-7; 7. Sean Larson 144-0; 11. Ryan Ament 137-10; 13. Andrew Berlin 135-7; 19. Jon Wolf 117-5; 20. Eric Peplinski 114-1; 22. Derren Izdepski 107-5; 23. Ben Corcoran 104-8; 25. Zach Schaefer 100-7; Hammer: 1. Adam Schnaible (Minnesota) 202-7; 8. Ryan Kawski 151-3; 13. Sean Larson 140-7; 21. Derren Izdepski 112-0; 24. Jon Wolf 100-1; 25. Eric Peplinski 92-7.

Updated: April 17, 2006