Softball takes two over Clarke in home opener

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville opened its home slate by sweeping Clarke University, 10-9, and 12-7 on Thursday night at Pioneer Stadium. 

With field conditions at UW-Platteville Softball Complex unplayable, the Pioneers and the Crusaders squared off in Pioneer Stadium on Butch Leitl Field. 

GAME ONE: UW-Platteville 10, Clarke 9

The Pioneers took an early commanding lead scoring five runs in the second and added another one in the third inning, 6-0. Junior Ellyn Goerdt broke her hitting slump with a two RBI double up the middle, which scored senior Molly Rice and freshman Carley Rote. Two batters later Goerdt scored on a bunt single by Kayla Gosdeck. JuniorBecca Lowe then stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher attempting to throw out Lowe. Gosdeck scored the Pioneers final run in the second inning on anAshlen Folkers single to left field. Cassandra Bonin led the third inning off with a walk and scored a batter later on a RBI double by Rote giving the Pioneers a 6-0 advantage. 

The Crusaders took a chunk out of the Pioneers' lead in the fourth inning scoring three runs on three hits. 

Clarke took the lead in the fifth with a five run inning. Freshman Keri Treml came in relief to start the inning and allowed a three-run home run to tie the game up at 6-6. The Crusaders stayed aggressive and added two more runs, taking a 8-6 lead. 

The Pioneers took one back in the bottom half of the inning before Clarke pushed its lead back two, 9-7, in the top of the sixth. 

Rote blasted a three-run go-ahead homer, which was her first collegiate homer, in the bottom of the sixth giving the Pioneers a 10-9 lead. 

Treml came out in the seventh and put the Crusaders away. 

Jeni Freiburger started for the Pioneers throwing four innings of work and allowing three runs on five hits. Treml earned her first collegiate victory and gave up five hits and three earned runs. 

Rote and Gosdeck both went 3-for-4 as eight different Pioneers recorded hits. 

GAME TWO: UW-Platteville 12, Clarke 7 

The Pioneer bats kept going in the night cap as they took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. UW-Platteville took advantage of two Clarke miscues to go with three hits.

The Crusaders and the Pioneers traded runs in the second, 4-1, but Clarke tied the game up in the third inning with three runs.

The Pioneers regained the lead in the fourth, 5-4, on a RBI single by Goerdt, but the Crusaders came right back in the top of the fifth with a run of their own. 

Three hits in the fifth gave UW-Platteville a 7-5 lead and then added five insurance runs in the sixth, 12-6. 

Melissa Anderson pitched her fifth straight complete game and earned her second win of the season. She fanned six Crusaders after striking out a career-high 12 batters on Tuesday. 

UW-Platteville had six players with two hits.

The Pioneers begin conference play on Saturday with a doubleheader against UW-River Falls. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. but the game location has yet to be determined. UW-Platteville wraps up its weekend with a doubleheader with UW-Stout on Sunday with the twin bill to be played either at the Softball Complex or Pioneer Stadium just like Saturday's doubleheader. 

With poor field conditions across the state of Wisconsin, UW-Platteville will now host a "cluster" of contests involving UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout and UW-Superior.  The games will be held at the Softball Complex and Pioneer Stadium.