Fourth-ranked UW-Whitewater over powers Pioneers in season finale

WHITEWATER, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team dropped its final two games of the 2013 season to fourth-ranked UW-Whitewater, 8-5 and 4-2 on Wednesday.

GAME ONE: UW-Platteville 5, UW-Whitewater 8

The fourth ranked Warhawks took command right from the get go with a lead off solo homer and a RBI double to take 2-0 lead after one.

The Pioneers responded in the top of the second with three runs of their own taking a 3-2 lead. Senior Tyler Jacobson came through with two-outs and the bases loaded two-RBI single up the middle. Junior Ryan Duva answered Jacobson's single with one of his own putting UW-Platteville on top.

The Pioneers were able to put together three consecutive hits in the third inning to extend its lead to 4-2. UWW answered  with another solo homer in the bottom half of the third to put it back to a one-run game, 4-3.

The Warhawks took all the momentum and pushed a run across in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings regaining the lead, 6-4. UWW added two more runs in the eighth inning, 8-4, and the Pioneers tried to mount a ninth inning comeback but could only score one run, 8-5.

The Pioneers had four batters with multiple hits led by with three hits. Junior Zach Demmon, senior Jon Lewerke and Duva each recorded two hits.

Senior Bill Oppreicht unfortunately ended his career in the Orange and Blue with a loss. He threw five innings and allowed seven hits and five runs (four earned).

GAME TWO: UW-Platteville 2, UW-Whitewater

The Pioneers took advantage of two hit by pitches and freshman Casey Schroeder draw a walk with the bases loaded and two-outs to give the Pioneers 1-0 lead in the second inning.

The Warhawks tied the game up, 1-1, in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI double.

The Pioneers regained the lead in the top of the sixth on senior Bobby Patton's RBI double, 2-1. UWW took advantage of two Pioneer miscues and took a 3-2 lead.

The Warhawks added an insurance run in the seventh inning, 4-2.

Like Oppreicht, senior Adam Theis didn't end his career the way he wanted and gave up 10 hits and three runs (one earned) in six innings of work.

Patton led the team with two of the four Pioneer hits.

UW-Platteville end its 2013 campaign with a 10-30 record and a 5-19 WIAC mark.