Pioneers Swept By Eagles Sunday

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team (5-10, 2-4 WIAC) dropped a pair of conference game against UW-La Crosse (12-3, 5-1 WIAC) on Sunday afternoon at Copeland Field in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

After scoring twice in the top half of the first to get on the board first, the Eagles connected on home runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to increase the lead to 8-0. Senior Mitchell McLaughlin drove in the Pioneers first two runs of the game with a two-run double to left in the fifth inning to cut the deficit down to 8-2.

UW-La Crosse added four runs in the ninth to push the advantage to 10 and though UW-Platteville was able to score three times in the bottom half of the inning on a wild pitch and a two-RBI single by sophomore Justin Fago, the Eagles won 12-5.

Fago went 3-for-5 to pace the offense while McLaughlin and freshman Charlie Breen each finished with a pair of hits in game one. On the mound, sophomore Brady Hoppert was charged with his third loss after allowing seven runs across four innings.

The Eagles started fast in game two, scoring 12 runs across the first four innings, including four home runs. In the bottom of the fourth, Breen singled to center to drive in the first Pioneers run and senior Grant Mullins smashed a grand slam to center field to make the score 12-5.

Junior Hunter Hopkins and McLaughlin continued the home run barrage with homers in the fifth and sixth, respectively, but the Eagles scored three more in the next couple innings to lead by eight. Freshman Spencer Robertson launched a solo home run in the eighth before UW-La Crosse won 16-9.

The Pioneers finished with 12 hits, with four players hitting a home run in the second game. Mullins went 2-for-4 and led the team with four RBI. Senior Sam Hernandez was dealt the loss after allowing the first four runs of the game in the opening inning.

UW-Platteville will play two more against UW-La Crosse tomorrow in Marion, Iowa at Prospect Meadows. The doubleheader begins at noon with game two set for 3 p.m.