It was only fitting that Leslie Huntington earned her 600th career win on Senior Day.
The long-time UW-Eau Claire softball coach didn't want the spotlight shining on her during a milestone afternoon at Sonnentag Fieldhouse. She preferred that her players earned most of the recognition.
Huntington's team did what it has done so many times over the years, roll to a doubleheader sweep. The Blugolds downed St. Catherine 8-1 and 5-1 on Saturday.
"I have so much respect for our seniors," Huntington said. "Being a four-year student athlete is hard. There is a huge time commitment involved and I have so much respect for kids that play for four years.
"My job is to support them and teach them some lessons. If we do things the right way, then the wins take care of themselves. The quality of these kids, you can't beat it."
Huntington, in her 24th season as head coach of the Blugolds, became the second coach in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history to reach 600 career wins.
She began her career in 1995 at Simpson (Iowa) College, where she won a pair of NCAA Division III championships.
"This is about much more than wins and losses. It is about building relationships and helping these student-athletes develop as people," Huntington said. "I could've never imagined doing something like this when I first started. Not in my wildest dreams. I've been fortunate and blessed to coach a lot of great players over the years."
UW-Eau Claire (17-3) relied on a pair of outstanding pitching performances Saturday en route to the sweep over the visiting Wildcats (7-11).
Claire Beck struck out six in a six-inning gem in the circle in Game 1. She also went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in a run.
The Blugolds struck for three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a solo home run by senior Megan Patterson.
UW-Eau Claire senior Jacie Schultz allowed an early run in the nightcap, but didn't give up anything after that. She pitched a complete game with three strikeouts.
Blugold senior Kenna Strunsee combined for five hits and four RBIs to lead the offense on Saturday.
"It was an emotional day for the seniors. It was great to be recognized," Schultz said. "And it was awesome to see our head coach earn her 600th win. She's a great coach who pushes us, but she also cares about each one of us. She loves us all unconditionally and treats us like family."
Schultz is part of a close-knit senior class at UWEC.
"I love every single one of the seniors," she said. "We have gone through a lot. We won the WIAC my freshman year. All of the success we have had has been really special."
UW-Eau Claire is scheduled to play host to UW-Superior in a doubleheader on Wednesday.
And Huntington will look for career wins 601 and 602.
"Coaching is in my blood. Softball truly is who I am," the coach said. "It's just been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. My dad played fast-pitch softball and I picked up a love of the game from him."
