Pioneers’ effort in comeback falls just short, lose 12-10

Written by Colten Bartholomew, UW-Sports Information Intern

PLATTEVILLE, Wis – University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball was able to push the Loras Duhawks to their limits, but the Pioneers' comeback bid fell just short in the 12-10 loss Wednesday. 

 The Pioneers fell behind quickly, allowing two runs in the first, one in the second and a three-run home run on a hanging curveball gave Loras a 6-0 lead after three innings.

Centerfielder Ryan Duva scored the Pioneers first run in the bottom of the third. Duva led off with a single, moved to second on an error, advanced to third on a single and then scored on a sac fly.

Both teams plated a run in the fifth inning, but Loras burst out with a five-run sixth to give them a 12-2 lead.

Despite being behind 10, the Pioneers began chipping away at the Duhawk lead.

With men on first and third, shortstop Casey Schroeder drilled a triple to right center to bring home two runs, and in the next at bat, first baseman Zach Demmon brought Schroeder home with an RBI single.

In the eighth, the Pioneers had the bases loaded with one out, and were able to score one run with the opportunity, this time on a fielder's choice.

Down sixth heading into the last frame, the Pioneers started to square up the Duhawk pitchers, starting the inning with the first five batters reaching base, and three of them scoring. After a double play took some of the steam out of the engine, UW-Platteville brought home another run on a Zack Iverson RBI single.

The game ended on a hard line out by Duva.

Freshman pitcher Nathan Fay had a solid day out of the pen, hurling 1.2 scoreless innings in relief. A total of 11 pitchers were used in the high-scoring game.

The Pioneers hit the road for pair of doubleheaders with UW-Stevens Point beginning on Saturday.