Long ball not enough as Pioneers swept by UW-Oshkosh

OSHKSOH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team couldn't hold on to its leads in the final two innings, falling to UW-Oshkosh, 6-2 and 7-4, in a midweek conference doubleheader on Wednesday at YP.com Softball Park.

The Titans keep themselves in position for a chance for the top seed in the conference tournament in the first weekend of May with a 6-1 WIAC record as the Pioneers fall to 2-7 in league action.

GAME ONE: UW-Platteville 2, UW-Oshkosh 6

The Titans struck first scoring a run in the opening frame, 1-0.

The Pioneers used the long ball to tie the game, 1-1, in the second inning and to take the lead in the fourth. Sophomore Haley Salazar tied the game up with a two-out solo homer, and senior Colleen Lowe put the Pioneers ahead with a solo home run of her own.

The Titans took advantage of a Pioneer throwing error in the fifth to tie the game and pushed to more across home to take a 4-2 lead.

UWO added two insurance runs in the sixth to make it a 6-2 game.

UW-Platteville's Jeni Freiburger struck out four but walked four and gave up six runs (five earned on nine hits.

Lowe tallied two of the Pioneers' six hits.

GAME TWO: UW-Platteville 4, UW-Oshkosh 7

Junior Becca Lowe started the nightcap with a single and stole second to put herself in scoring position. Fellow junior Cassandra Bonin came through and struck a RBI single to center field giving the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead.

The Titans answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second.

The Pioneers started the third inning with a pair of base hits, and Colleen Lowe cleared the bases with one swing of the bat, hitting a three-run homer to left field giving UW-Platteville a 4-1 lead.

UWO responded with a  two-run homer in the fifth inning making it a 4-3 ballgame.

Another Pioneer miscue prolonged the sixth inning and allowed the Titans to score four runs and take a commanding 7-4 lead into the seventh.

The Pioneers out hit UW0 11-8 but UW-Platteville leaving eight runners on base proved to be the difference. Becca Lowe, Bonin, and Ashlen Folkers all recorded two hits.

Senior Melissa Anderson suffered the loss as she fanned eight batters and allowed seven runs (six earned) on eight hits.

UW-Platteville will have a relatively quick turnaround as they travel to UW-Whitewater on Friday. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 3 p.m.