Softball drops first two at home

Written by: Jeremy Williamson, Sports Information Student Assistant

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Coming back from an 8-6 spring break performance, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team was unable to garner a victory in two contests against the Beloit College Buccaneers on Wednesday as they lost 4-3 and 9-8.

Although both games came down to the final inning of play, the Pioneers could not produce or prohibit the late runs needed to earn a win.

The first score of the evening came in the bottom of the third when left fielder MJ Patten had made her way to third base, with Carley Rote on second, and infielder Chelsey Walker reached first on a poor throw by the Buccaneers, driving in Patten for the score and sending Rote to third. Kelsie Jo Enders struck out, reached first on a wild throw, and drove in Rote to make the game 2-0 at the end of the third.

The Buccaneers were then able to drive in two runs of their own and hold off the Pioneers in the fourth, followed by scoreless fifth and sixth innings, to send the game to the seventh tied at two.

The Bucs started off the final inning with a two-run homer, before sending the game to the bottom of the seventh up by two, 4-2.

Patten started things off again for the Pioneers, singling up the third base line. Rote followed with an RBI double, but it was not enough as the women were unable to provide any more runs dropping the game 4-3.

Rote was the most consistent batter for the first game leading the team with three hits, going 3-4, earning one run and driving in an RBI.

A late sixth inning surge was not enough to overcome a 9-8 loss, as the Pioneers dropped the second game to the Buccaneers as well.

The Bucs drove in at least one run every inning. The Pioneers kept up through the first two innings as they entered the third tied at two. Then the Bucs tacked two more scores onto the board, but the Pioneers went one-two-three, as they were unable to garner a hit in the third inning, 4-2.

The Bucs and the Pioneers each tacked on one run in the fourth and fifth innings making the score 6-4 heading into sixth.

Beloit brought in two more runs at the top of the inning, but the Pioneers held the big bat during the sixth. 

Following a single by Crystal Rote and a successful bunt by LaRissa O'Kimosh to advance Rote, Kellsey Beyer singled to second base, advancing both the runners and filling up the bases for Patten. Patten stepped up for the Pioneers with a single to the shortstop to bring in Rote and keep the bases loaded. The other Rote, Carley, then drove in O'Kimosh on a fielder's choice as Patten and Beyer moved to second and third. Walker then earned two RBIs bringing in the two left on the bases and reached first on a passed ball, but two ensuing strikeouts haltered the Pioneer's run sending them into the seventh tied at eight.

Unfortunately, Beloit was able to tack on a final run and hold off the Pioneers in the final inning to take the seconds game, 9-8.

Patten led the offense going 2-3 with three of the Pioneers' eight runs and drove in one RBI.

The Pioneers play at Wartburg on Thursday with a double-header against the Knights beginning at 4 P.M.