Eagles sweep the Pioneers

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team dropped its final two games of a four-game series against UW-La Crosse, 16-2 (7 innings) and 9-5 on Sunday at North Campus Field.

The Pioneers fall to 7-21 and 2-12 in WIAC action while the Eagles improved to 13-10 and 5-4 in league play.

GAME ONE: UW-Platteville 2, UW-La Crosse 16

UW-La Crosse jumped on top early, scoring three runs in the first inning and then had a solo shot in the third to take a 4-0 lead.

The Pioneers finally got on the board in the bottom half of the third. Senior Bobby Patton led off the inning with a double and scored on a two-out single from sophomore Evan Greco.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Eagles were at it again scoring two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth and then a seven spot in the seventh, 16-2.

The Pioneers didn't have a hitter with more than one base knock while the Eagles had five players with two or more hits.

Senior Adam Theis suffered the loss, giving up six runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

GAME TWO: UW-Platteville 5, UW-La Crosse 9

Once again UWL didn't waste any time getting on the board and scored a least one run in the first four innings. The Eagles scored two in the first and three more in the second frame.

The Pioneers started to chip away at their deficit in the bottom of the second. Bobby Beanand Greco led the inning off with a pair of singles. Bean scored two batters later on a Topher Scheeler ground out.

The Eagles answered with a run of their own in the top of the third, 6-1. The Pioneers responded when they got their chance, scoring two runs, 6-3. Junior Ryan Duva started the inning with a single and scored two batters later on a RBI double from fellow junior Zach Demmon. UW-Platteville added another run  off a wild pitch, 6-3.

Three Pioneer errors helped cultivate two UWL runs in the top of the fourth, 8-3. The Eagles scored their final run of the day in the sixth, and the Pioneers tried to mount a big comeback in the bottom half of the inning, but could only muster two runs. For the fifth time on the day UW-Platteville were able to score when leading the inning off with a hit, 9-5.

Bean and Greco led the team with two hits apiece and Bean scored two runs.

Senior Bill Oppriecht endured the loss as he gave up nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits in five innings of work.

UW-Platteville will take a break from conference play for a single midweek game at Loras College on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m.