Pioneers win in final inning

LONGVIEW, Texas - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team defeated LeTourneau 12-10 at Conrad-Vernon Field on Monday.

The Pioneers improved to 3-6 overall and the Yellowjackets fell to 13-7.

In the first inning the Pioneers jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead. Senior Curtis Barsness led-off the game with a single, sophomore Jonathan Kelso singled and junior Josh Moses walked to load the bases. Senior Mitchell Susa singled in Barsness and Kelso scored on a throwing error. Junior Collin Mormann and freshman Garrett Gillund each followed with sacrifice flies.

The Yellowjackets took a 5-4 lead in the second inning and extended it to 8-4 by the end of the fifth inning. The Pioneers scored five runs to take a 9-8 lead in the sixth with four hits, two hit by pitch, two walks and a sacrifice fly. The Yellowjackets scored two runs in the seventh to take a 10-9 lead.

Sophomore Sam Behm pinch-hit in the top of the eighth and walked, stole second base and scored on a fielding error to tie the game 10-10. Moses singled to start the ninth and advanced to second on Susa's sacrifice bunt. Moses stole third base and scored on an errant throw by the catcher. Gillund then singled and stole second base before senior Connor Crotty drove in the final run. Senior Russell Lundius pitched the final two innings without allowing any runs and struck out four. 

The Pioneers face Texas-Tyler in a two game series on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 PM CST and Wednesday, March 20 at 7 PM CST.