Pioneers split doubleheader at UW-La Crosse

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team split Thursday's doubleheader at UW-La Crosse, losing 6-3 then rebounding for a 4-1 victory. 

The Eagles used a two-out double to get on the board first in the opening frame. UWL came up with another two-out RBI to go up 2-0 through two innings. 

A pair of Pioneer miscues allowed UWL to break the game up in the fifth, by scoring four runs, 6-0. 

UW-Platteville finally got on the board with back-to-back homers by Lisa Karau and Carley Rote, 6-2, in the sixth inning.

The Pioneers tried to mount a two-out come back in the seventh, but could only push one run across and left two on base, 6-3. 

Eight of the Pioneer nine recorded hits, while Karau tallied two hits. 

Freshman Jess Butzen suffered the loss, and gave up six hits and two earned runs. 

The Pioneers didn't waste time in the night cap, and scored all of their runs in the first inning. Senior Becca Lowed started the game off with a single. Three batters later and with the bases loaded, senior Ellyn Goerdt singled through the left sided to score Lowe and Karau and move Rote to third. Walker recorded the Pioneers' final RBI with a sacrifice fly, and then a UWL miscue allowed UW-Platteville to its four run. 

Sophomore Keri Treml held UWL to just one hit in the first three innings. In the fourth, she gave up her only run of the day from a solo home run, 4-1.  

A Pioneer miscue in the seventh put the potential game-winning run at the plate. Treml didn't allow the extra out hurt the Pioneers, and forced a ground out to herself to end the game. 

Treml scattered six hits in the complete game victory. 

The Pioneers return to the diamond on Tuesday as they travel to UW-Stevens Point.