Eagles Score Three in 10th to Advance to WIAC Semifinals

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team nearly pulled off the first upset in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday afternoon.  Coming in as the sixth seed, the Pioneers held multiple leads before ultimately falling to the three seed, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse by the score of 14-13 in 10 innings.  With the loss, Platteville's season ends with a 15-26 record.  The Eagles improved to 30-11 and now advance to play in the WIAC semifinals on Friday against UW-Whitewater.

Things started out good early for UWP as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead and chased starter Brady Schmitt after just 2+ innings.  Schmitt had entered the contest with a 3-0 record and 3.76 ERA.  After an unearned run in the top of the first and a clean bottom half from Pioneer starter Michael Greco ((Jr./Bolingbrook, Ill.), the Platteville bats went to work scoring four runs, three coming after two were out.  Logan Kozak (Sr./Waukesha, Wis.) led off with a bunt single and promptly stole second.  One out later, Ben Espinoza (Jr./Villa Park, Ill.) walked.  With two on and one out, Ross Krist (Jr./Sheboygan Falls, Wis.) doubled to center, scoring Kozak.  Jonny Kelso (Jr./Villa Park, Ill.) then walked to load the bases.  Jason Adams (So./Burlington, Wis.) popped out on the infield for the second out.  Up 2-0, Austin Pullara (Fr./Morris, Ill.) delivered a clutch 2-RBI single to right center to double the Pioneer lead.  Mitchell McLaughlin (Fr./Amboy, Ill.) followed with a ground ball deep in the hole at short.  SS Conner Roesler ranged to his right and made a strong throw across the diamond but not in time to get a diving McLaughlin at first.  Kelso scored from third on the infield single.

Down 5-0, the three-seed Eagles began chipping away at their deficit scoring two runs in the 2nd, one in the 3rd, and two more in the 5th.  Heading into the 7th, Platteville maintained a slim 6-5 advantage.  A Kozak RBI double extended the cushion to 7-5 but La Crosse responded with two runs in the bottom half to knot the game at 7 apiece.  The game would not remain tied for long as a Kelso 2-run home run in the 8th highlighted a three-run top half.  Reliever Nate Jennings (Jr./Arena, Wis.) then came in and tossed a scoreless bottom of the 8th.  A Krist RBI sac-fly in the top of the ninth gave Platteville an 11-7 lead and only needing three outs to complete the first round upset.

With their season on the line, the Eagles responded in the 9th.  Jennings got the leadoff hitter with a line out to short.  After a walk to RF Parker Plume, Roesler drove a home run to left to cut into the Pioneer lead, 11-9.  After Jennings walked Jonathan Wizner he recovered by striking out Zach Carney.  Down to their last out, the next three La Crosse batters reached base via a single, single, and walk respectively.  The walk issued to Jack Olver brought in a run and made the score 11-10.  Shane Coker then stepped to the plate and hit a ground ball to the right side.  2B Grant Mullins (Fr./Greenville, Wis.) was unable to field it cleanly and the Eagles scored their fourth run of the inning, tying the game at 11.  Jennings assured extra innings by striking out Ethan Gerstner to end the rally.

Despite the devastating bottom of the ninth, the Pioneers bats got the lead right back in the 10th.  Platteville loaded the bases with two outs and it was Mullins getting a little redemption by providing a 2-RBI single to right putting UWP back up 13-11.

In the bottom of the 10th however, Pioneer pitching was unable to record an out while La Crosse pushed three runs across via three singles, two walks, and a game-ending wild pitch by Andres Yance (Fr./Fond du Lac, Wis.) who came in to relieve Jennings mid-inning.  The rally capped a stretch of seven runs in the final two innings to give UWL the win and keep its season alive.

The tough quarterfinal loss marks the end to the collegiate careers of a half dozen Pioneer seniors:

Logan Kozak (Sr./Waukesha, Wis.) handled the majority of the catching responsibilities in 2021, playing in 28 games.  Kozak threw out 13 would-be base stealers in 31 attampts and only allowed three passed balls.  At the plate, Kozak hit .238 for his career and stole 12 bases, nine of which came this season.

Right fielder Josh Moses (Sr./Cedarburg, Wis.) spend the majority of 2021 injured but enjoyed a stellar career as a Pioneer in his first three seasons.  His best year at the plate came his sophomore campaign when he hit a dazzling .370, collected 61 hits and 43 RBI.  In his career he amassed a .456 OBP, hit 11 HR and stole 21 bases.

Right-handed pitcher Shane Nolan (Sr./Lake Zurich, Ill.) notched the first two wins of his four-year career in 2021 and posted his lowest ERA as well, 5.17.  For his career he struck out 41 in 67.2 innings of work.

Dan Opem (Sr./Glen Ellyn, Ill.), caught in parts of 19 games this season.  He caught 10 baserunners stealing in 26 attempts.  He had 10 hits and 9 RBI in 2021.

Right-handed pitcher Samuel Peters (Sr./Harmony, Minn.) finishes his 3-year Platteville career with a 1-1 record and 2 saves.  In 2021 he appeared in eight games, worked 15 innings and struck out 10.

Right-handed pitcher Ian Schildgen (Sr./Fitchburg, Wis.) ends his 2-year Platteville career having worked 24.2 innings, earning a 1-2 record with one save.  His ERA is 4.74.