Pioneers sweep Bucs

LOVES PARK, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team swept the Beloit College Buccaneers in a neutral site series in the Mercyhealth Sportscore Complex Tuesday afternoon. The Pioneers (4-2) clinched game one 9-3 before taking game two from the Bucs (0-2) 12-1 in six innings.

"All four pitchers had great outings today!" said head coach Becca Runde. "Two freshman pitched an exceptional game in game two, only giving up four hits and one run. Very proud of the girls for continuing to score both early and late in the game! They all had an excellent approach at the plate today."

Pitcher and first baseman Claire Bakkestuen went 4-8 on the day, batting in six runners with four coming off a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to make the Pioneers go ahead 5-1 in game two. Catcher Rachel Plautz led the Pioneers with five hits while shortstop Riley Kelsch tallied four hits and three RBIs.

Bakkestuen also led the Pioneers in the circle and got the win in game one striking out eight and surrendering just three hits and one earned run. Jordan Johnson got the win in game two and struck out three while walking one and surrendering four hits and one earned run. Corrie Remley pitched two innings of game two and struck out one while allowing one hit.

In game one, right fielder Danielle Trumbo singled through the left side to run in Bakkestuen and give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. The next inning, back-to-back hits and RBIs by Bakkestuen and Kelsch gave UW-Platteville a 3-1 lead. Then with two outs, Trumbo singled once again to left center run in two. Madison Hughes followed and drove in Trumbo and Payton Marvin to put the Pioneers ahead 7-1 and call for a Bucs pitching change.

Beloit added three runs across  the next three innings , but Plautz singled with two outs in the top of the seventh to score one run before center fielder Haili Cota reached on a error and scored the nineth Pioneer run of the day.

In game two, the Pioneers were first to score once again off a single up the middle by Marvin in the top of the second. The Bucs added one of their own in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 1-1. Then in the fifth inning, Amanda Stanczuk reached on what should have been the third out and loaded the bases. Bakkestuen followed Stanczuk and hit her second grand slam of the season to give the Pioneer more grand slams than home runs this season.

To close out the day The Pioneers added seven runs off six hits in the top for the sixth, all with two outs to take a 12-1 lead before ending the game in six innings.

UW-Platteville will return to action on Sunday, March 13 for day one of their Spring Break Trip to Clermont, Florida. Game one of the trip is set for 3:15 CST against The College of New Jersey.