Pioneer Softball upends Crusaders

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball started Monday's doubleheader against Clarke University with a 2-1 walk-off win, and went on to upend the Crusaders 6-3 in the nightcap at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium in Platteville, Wis. 

Freshman Jess Butzen got of two big jams in the second and third innings before giving up her first run in the fifth. Three consecutive singles in the fifth fame gave Clarke a 1-0 edge. 

The Pioneers' Lisa Karau led off the bottom of the fifth with a walk then stole second, and scored on a RBI single from freshman Chelsey Walker, to tie up the game, 1-1. 

In the seventh inning, Karau this time led the inning off with a single up the middle than stole second a batter later. The junior moved to third on a ground out. A batter later and with two outs, senior Becca Lowe delivered a walk-off single up the middle, giving the Pioneers their 10th win of the season. 

Butzen scattered seven hits in her one-run complete game victory. Karau went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored. 

In game-two, the Pioneers didn't waste anytime to get on top of the Crusaders. With the bases loaded, Walker burned the center fielder for a 2-RBI double and scored a batter later, giving the Pioneers a 4-0 lead. 

A couple of walks given up by sophomore Keri Treml loaded up the bases, with no one out for Clarke in the fifth inning. Treml held the Crusaders to just two runs, staying in position to earn the win. 

Sophomore Cassie Roach came in relief in the sixth and gave up a run for the Pioneers, 4-3. 

Junior Haley Salazar gave the Pioneers a three-run cushion with a two-run homer to left center, 6-3, in the bottom of the sixth. 

Butzen came in the seventh and sat down the Crusaders in order for her first career save. 

Salazar was the only Pioneer to record two hits, and Lowe put her hitting streak to eight games and her reached base streak to 20 games. 

Treml threw five innings and gave up six hits and two runs in the win. 

The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday to take on Dubuque for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.