Beck returns from injury to lead Blugolds

After missing all of the 2023 season with an injury, Claire Beck stepped back on the diamond, ready to play. The Junior Pitcher from Jefferson, WI showcased her arm as well as her bat in the Blugolds season-opening tournament.

The tournament took place in Central Illinois and was hosted by Millikin University. In their first action of the season, the Blugolds went 2-2 over the course of March 2 and 3. 

In their first game vs. Hope College, Beck provided a spark for the Eau Claire squad right away when she knocked in a couple of runs on a 2-RBI first-inning single. She would go on to finish the game as the closing pitcher, keeping Eau Claire’s lead, and picking up her first save of the season.

The following day in a matchup against the visiting Hanover Panthers, the two teams found themselves tied, heading into extra innings. With Eau Claire holding home-field advantage in this contest, Beck stepped up to the plate, down by one run with the bases loaded. 

In one swing of the bat, Beck smacked the ball to center field, and drove in two of the runners in walk-off fashion, giving the Blugolds their second win of the season. 

Beck finished the weekend with a .571 batting average, driving in 8 runs over four games. In addition to her solid batting average, she had three multi-hit games throughout the weekend. 

Beck will look to keep her momentum going as the Blugolds travel south to Florida to compete in The Spring Games Tournament this March 16-22.