Pioneers sweep season-ending doubleheader against Marian

Written by Colten Bartholomew, UW-Platteville Sports Information Intern

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team ended their season on a five-game winning streak after Monday's doubleheader sweep of Marian.

After winning the first game 5-2, the Pioneers won a nail-biter in the nightcap, winning 2-1. Both games were scheduled for seven innings.

Game One

The Pioneers got on the board right away in the first inning, scoring on an RBI double by first baseman Zach Demmon. Shortstop Casey Schroeder got the rally started with a one-out single, and was moved to second on a single by designated hitter George Jester III.

Marian tied the game in the third on a bases-loaded wild pitch, but Pioneer freshman starter righted the ship and got out of the jam.

UW-Platteville immediately regained the lead in the top of the fourth, as a well-placed groundout to the right side by catcher Todd Wienkes brought Demmon in from third. In the fifth, the Pioneers loaded the bases and were able to score on a groundout by Jester III.

Fay continued to keep Marian off the board, and the Pioneers pushed their lead to 5-1 on an RBI double by outfielder Ryan Lehmann and a wild pitch later in the inning.

After attempting to go for a complete game, Fay left with two in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded. Senior closer Tyler Nelson came in to shut the door, earning a quick five-pitch save, his second save of the season.

Fay earned his first win of his Pioneer career with the solid performance.

Game Two

The first half of the nightcap was a pitcher's duel, as neither team was able to crack the scoreboard until the fourth, when the Pioneers loaded the bases and scored on a five-pitch walk drawn by third baseman Zack Iverson.

UW-Platteville's starter Mike Boushley kept the Marian batters off-balance, recording nine strikeouts and working out of three jams.

Boushley was not able to blank Marian, however, as an error allowed a run in to tie the game in the sixth.

The Pioneers regained the lead in their last turn at bat, as Schroeder brought home the winning run with a one-out single to right with runners on the corners.

UW-Platteville ends the season with 13 wins, their highest win total since 2010. With the great performances shown by young players like Jester III, Schroeder and Fay, the Pioneers have a bright future.