Pioneers sweep Westminster

FULTON, Mo. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team was taken to extra innings by Westminster (Mo.) in the opening game of the doubleheader and came out victorious, 7-6 in nine innings, before routing the Blue Jays, 11-1, on Monday in Fulton, Mo.

The Blue Jays grabbed an early 2-0 lead, and the Pioneers took advantage of a few passed balls to make it a one-run game in the second frame.

UW-Platteville and Westminster traded runs in the fourth, before the Pioneers used a two-RBI double by sophomore Carley Rote and a RBI single by freshman Chelsey Walker, taking a 5-3 lead through five innings. UW-Platteville added another run in the sixth before the Blue Jays tied the game up, 6-6, scoring three runs with all on two outs.

In the ninth, Rote started the frame with a double and advanced to third on a single by senior Ellyn Goerdt. Rote scored the go-ahead run a batter later on a wild pitch.

Sophomore Keri Treml closed the door in the bottom half of the ninth, earning the complete game victory.

Freshman Jess Butzen recorded her first career win in the night cap, and only allowed one run on four hits.

Senior Becca Lowe delivered the game's first run in the second inning with a RBI double, and the Pioneers added two more run in the third on two hits. Junior Haley Salazar came through in the clutch in the fourth inning with a two-RBI single with two outs, making it a 5-0 game.

Butzen allowed her only run in the fifth, while the offense continued its stellar day with three runs on three hits in the sixth and seventh inning.

Seven Pioneers recorded a hit with Lowe and Salazar leading the way with three hits apiece.

UW-Platteville won't return to the diamond until Monday, March 17 in Fort Myers, Fla. for its spring trip. The Pioneers open its trip against University of New England at 9 a.m. local time and then take on Alfred State at 11 a.m.