Keller, Daniels throw complete-game victories

Lucas Keller and Austin Daniels each threw complete-game victories, leading UW-Platteville to a doubleheader sweep of visiting UW Oshkosh Friday, clinching back-to-back Pioneer 20-win seasons for just the second time in school history.

Keller tossed a five-hitter in the 6-2 opening win, while Daniels scattered nine hits in the 3-2 nightcap victory. The Pioneers are now 20-18 on the year, 6-12 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Titans fell to 16-19-1, 7-11.

Coach Eric Frese's club was 21-19 last year. The only other back-to-back 20 win campaigns came during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Colin DeBoer crashed a home run over the 365 sign in right-center in the fifth inning, giving the Pioneers a 2-1 lead in the opener. UW-Platteville then took advantage of three Titan errors and two wild pitches in the sixth for an insurmountable 6-1 lead. 

UWO's Tyler Kozlowski doubled home a run in the seventh, but that was all the Titans could manage. Keller tossed a perfect ninth to complete the victory. 

The Pioneers and Titans played a scoreless first six innings in the nightcap, UWO's Jack  Paulson singled home a run in the top of the seventh with a two-out bunt, but the Pioneers answered with three in the bottom. George Jester knocked an RBI single to tie the score, and Todd Wienkes and Casey Schroeder had sacrifice flies to score runs.

Kozlowski hit another double down the left-field line, bringing the Titans within 3-2, but Daniels induced two ground-ball outs. He then threw perfect eighth and ninth innings to complete the sweep.

The same two teams play Saturday at noon at Kendall Murray Field. The Pioneers will salute their seniors between games.

Written by: Paul Erickson - Director, University Information and Communications