Pioneers open season with blowout wins
Posted March 8, 2009 (Updated March 9)
So much for season previews.
While most of the preseason attention on the UW-Platteville baseball team focused on the fact the Pioneers return nine pitchers and only player with a batting average above .200, the Pioneers proved that first looks are deceiving. UWP's offense exploded for at least 10 runs three of their first four games in St. Louis Saturday and Sunday.
Included in the initial outburst were a school-record 25 runs at Maryville University in St. Louis. The Pioneers swept the Fighting Saints, 25-17 and 16-10. Coach Eric Frese's team dropped a 8-7 decision at Fontbonne Saturday, then rebounded to win the nightcap 12-1.
The tale of the tape from Maryville was impressive. In two games, UWP had 38 hits, including 16 for extra bases. Shawn Tobie hit two home runs in the opener, including a three-run bomb in the second inning. Jason Jacobson also homered in the opener, and Steve Bomkamp went deep in the seventh inning of the nightcap.
Tobie and Derrick Rice each went 6-8, while Bomkamp had five hits Sunday. Lee Hawkins and Steve Nelson each had four hits against Maryville.
Joe Cox pitched five innings to earn the first win, and Justin Crotty earned the win in the second contest.
Against Fontbonne, Bomkamp's two-run blast gave the Pioneers a 7-6 lead in the seventh, but the Griffins rallied with two in the bottom of the inning for the win. Levi Ney had a perfect 3-3 game, and Brenden Watson had two hits.
In the second game Saturday, Kyle Mack threw five innings of four-hit ball, leading the Pioneers to the 12-1 win. Mack allowed just one walk and one unearned run for the first win of the season. Corey Connolly and Grant Oldenburg each threw a scoreless frame. Ney collected his second three-hit game, while Steve Nelson and James Gallagher each homered.
Related Links