The UW-Eau Claire Blugolds baseball team is making history, punching their ticket to the WIAC playoffs for the first time since 1995 after a dramatic doubleheader split against UW-River Falls on Saturday.

After a tough 21-9 loss in the opener, the Blugolds bounced back with a statement 20-11 victory in the second game, capping their best regular season since the program's return. As the No. 3 seed, UW-Eau Claire (21-19 overall, 14-14 WIAC) will head to Whitewater on Thursday to face UW-La Crosse in the playoff opener.

The first game saw Logan Hesselman shine despite the loss, crushing two home runs while driving in two runs and scoring four times. But the Blugolds saved their best for the nightcap, erupting for a seven-run second inning that featured Diego Caicedo's three-run homer to left-center field. Brayton Thillman added an exclamation point with a two-run homer in the ninth, sealing the decisive win.

On the mound, Sebastian De La Toba started but lasted just two innings, allowing five earned runs. Aaron Skrypek provided stability in relief, tossing seven innings with five strikeouts. Caicedo finished the game with two home runs, five RBIs, and three runs scored, leading the offensive charge.

Meanwhile, the Blugolds' track and field teams also made noise at the WIAC Outdoor Championships in La Crosse, with the men finishing third and the women taking second. Bella Hooker claimed the 800-meter title, while Allyson Kakes swept second-place finishes in the 100 and 200 meters. Kayla Behnke dominated the throws, winning the hammer and taking second in the discus. On the men's side, Blake Postler won the 400 hurdles and placed second in the 110 hurdles, while Gage Stankiewicz earned third in the discus.

For the Blugolds, it's a season of milestones—on the diamond and the track—and the best may be yet to come.