Pioneers secure first WIAC Championship berth since 2010

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team won both games of their double header on Friday to secure the #3 seed in the WIAC Championship.

The Pioneers won 16-3 and 11-0 with both games ending after seven innings. With the wins the Pioneers improved to 18-18 overall (13-9 WIAC) and the Titans fell to 17-20 overall (10-12 WIAC).

In game one, the Pioneers trailed 2-3 going into the bottom of the fifth inning and exploded for fourteen runs to build their 16-3 lead with 12 runs scored before the first out. The Pioneers had 12 hits including a grand slam by sophomore Jonathan Kelso. Kelso also had an RBI single later in the inning. Senior Curtis Barsness also had two at-bats with an RBI. Barsness had an RBI single followed by an RBI double.

Kelso went 4-of-4 with the grand slam, five RBI, a run scored and a walk. Barsness went 2-of-3 with two RBI, three runs scored and a walk. Junior Collin Mormann went 3-of-3 including a double and bunt single in the big fifth inning for the Pioneers. Mormann had three RBI, scored two runs and drew one walk.

Senior Keegan Madigan pitched a complete game to earn the win. Madigan allowed three earned runs and struck out three batters.

Like the first game, in game two the Pioneers had a big inning that secured the win. The Pioneers were up 3-0 before scoring eight runs in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 11-0. Senior Russell Lundius pitched a complete game shutout and only allowed one hit in his seven innings of work.

In the sixth inning the Pioneers had eight singles, a double, one hit by pitch and a few Titan wild pitches. Sophomore Ryan Vogel had a single and an RBI double during the big inning.

Vogel, Kelso and junior Josh Moses each went 3-of-4 to lead the attack. Vogel also had two RBI and scored a run. Kelso had two RBI and scored two runs. Senior Connor Crotty went 2-of-3 with one RBI and two runs scored.

The Pioneers finish the series with the Titans tomorrow Saturday, May 4th at Kendall Murray Field at 12 pm and 3 pm.