Folkers comes through in the clutch against Loras

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville managed to take one of two from Loras College, on Tuesday at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex. The Pioneers fell in game one, 7-0 and edged out the Duhawks in the nightcap 7-6 in 10 innings. 

UW-Platteville move to 8-10 on the season while Loras goes to 10-13.

In the nightcap, senior Ashlen Folkers tied the game up in the eight and then drove in the game-winning run in the 10th inning.

GAME ONE: UW-Platteville 0, Loras College 7

The Duhawks jumped on top early and scored two runs in the first and three in the second. 

The Pioneer hitters couldn't seem to figure out Loras' pitcher Kellie Klein who kept UW-Platteville off balance all game. Klein struck out seven and scattered three hits in seven innings. 

UW-Platteville's Jeni Freiburger suffered the loss while pitching a complete game. She fanned four batters and allowed seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits.

The Lowe sisters recorded the Pioneers' three hits with senior Colleen Lowe tallying two and junior Becca Lowe getting the other. 

GAME TWO: UW-Platteville 7, Loras College 6 (10 innings)

 The Pioneers started game two with a pair of walks and then freshman Haley Salazar drove in two runs on a double to left center giving the UW-Platteville a 2-0 lead. 

UW-Platteville found a two-out rally in the second inning when junior Lisa Karau doubled to left center. Karau scored a batter later on a RBI single from sophomore Kayla Gosdeck. Colleen Lowe then cleared the bases with a double and gave the Pioneers a 5-0 lead. Lowe's double ended Loras' Makaila Haase's day in the circle and Kien came in relief. Haase threw 1.2 innings, walked three and gave up five runs on four hits. 

A pair of two-RBI singles by the Duhawks in the top of the third put Loras within one-run, 5-4. 

The Pioneers kept the Duhawks alive in the seventh  with two errors as Loras pushed a run across to tie the game up, 5-5. Another error in the eighth inning by the Pioneers prolonged the inning which allowed Loras to take a 6-5 lead. 

Collen Lowe started the Pioneer's eighth inning with a to left field and was pinched ran for by Cassandra Bonin. A sacrifice bunt put Bonin in scoring position and Folkers delivered with a RBI single tying the game up 6-6. 

In the 10^th inning, Gosdeck led off with a bunt single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Folkers came through in the clutch again driving the game-winning run. 

Klein held the Pioneers scoreless for the first the 12.2 innings, but eventually took the loss. She threw 8.0 relief innings with six strikeouts and allowed four hits. 

Senior Melissa Anderson earned her fourth victory of the season and threw all 10 innings and struck out 11. 

Gosdeck,Colleen Lowe and Folkers each recorded two hits. Gosdeck scored three times and Folkers drove in two clutch runs. 

The Pioneers will return to league play on Saturday and Sunday. UW-Platteville play a doubleheader against UW-Superior on Saturday at the Omni Center in Onalaska starting at 2 p.m. and then will play UW-Eau Claire on Sunday at the Shelby Fields in south La Crosse starting at noon. Thursday's nonconference doubleheader at Coe College has been cancelled.