Softball Splits a Pair of Opening Day Games

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Universtiy of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team split its opening games of the 2013 season on Saturday. The Pioneers fell to host Rhodes College, 10-3 and bounced back to beat DePauw, 8-1, in the final game of the day. 

Game One: UW-Platteville 3 – Rhodes 10

The Pioneers didn't waste any time to get on the score board as Colleen Lowe belted a double to right field scoring Ashlen Folkers and Becca Lowe.  The Lynx tied the game up in the second frame scoring a run in the first and the second. 

The Pioneers regained the lead in the third off a RBI double from sophomore Taylor Ruchti. Rhodes scored five runs in the fourth and added three more in the sixth earning a 10-3 victory. 

Becca Lowe led the Pioneers by going 3-for-4 with two runs. Melissa Anderson took the loss as she gave up 10 runs on 15 hits and struck out two. 

Rhodes had seven different players get a hit and three with two hits. Chloe Hundman earned the win and allowed six hits and three runs. 

Game Two: UW-Platteville 8 – DePauw 1

Junior Jeni Freiburger started her season by pitching a gem. She fanned four batters in five innings and allowed one run on three hits. 

Freiburger sat down the Tigers in order in the second, third and fourth. The Pioneers finally gave the Belmont, Wis. native some run support in the in the sixth inning. UW-Platteville scored six runs with two outs in the fifth frame. DePauw earned its only run in the fifth. 

Keri Treml came in the sixth and threw two scoreless innings sealing the 8-1 win. 

Colleen Lowe, Lisa Karau and Molly Rice all tallied two RBIs to lead the team. 

The Pioneers return to action on Sunday and plays Depauw at noon and Rhodes at 2 p.m. 

Box scores not available