Pioneer Softball takes down Bison, 4-2

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team ended its Wednesday with a 4-2 victory over Nichols after falling to Rutgers-Newark, 5-2, to open the day in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Scarlet Raiders struck first in the top of the second, and then broke the game open in the third with four runs on five hits, 5-0.

Freshman Jess Butzen came in relief for the Pioneers in the fourth and shut down the Scarlet Raiders as she only allowed three hits in four innings.

Junior Lisa Karau got the Pioneers on the board as she drove in classmate Katie Huss with a RBI single.

The Pioneers scored their final run of the game in the sixth inning, when senior Ellyn Goerdt's double to right center to score sophomore Carley Rote.

Sophomore Keri Treml took the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits in three innnigs.

Junior MJ Patten led the team with three hits followed by Karau with two.

In the Pioneers' second game of the day, they only needed one big inning, and that inning came in the third.

Goerdt started the frame off with a single to left field and scored two batters later on a wild pitch. Patten then slapped  the ball over the right fielder's head to the wall for an in the park home run, and gave the Pioneers a 3-0 lead. A double by junior Haley Salazar scored Karau for the Pioneers' final run of the game.

Nichols answered in the bottom of the third with two runs on three hits, 4-2.

Pioneer starter Cassie Roach finished out her appearance in the fourth and ended her day with the victory and only allowed five hits.

Treml came in relief in the fifth and was nearly flawless, as she tossed three hitless and scoreless innings.

Lowe, Patten and Karau each went 2-for-4 and scored a run.

The Pioneers take on Knox and Smith on Thursday at the Lee County Park and Rec. Sports Complex at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.