Kelso sets new career and season hits records in regular season finale

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Junior Jonathan Kelso set new University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball records for both career hits and single season hits during the WIAC doubleheader against UW-Stevens Point at Kendall Murray Field. While the Pointers won with an 11-4 decision in game one and 6-2 victory in the nightcap, Kelso finished the day at 196 career hits with 68 hits this season. Ross Bennett (2005-08) previously held the career hits record with 195 while Ryan Levendoski set the previous season hits record of 64 in 2004.

Saturday also marked senior day for the Pioneers and a Class of 2021 Senior Day Salute took place in-between games. Seniors included catcher Logan Kozak, right fielder Josh Moses, right-handed pitcher Shane Nolan, catcher Dan Opem, right-handed pitcher Samuel Peters and right-handed pitcher Ian Schildgen.

"This senior class is a group of guys our program is really going to miss," said UW-Platteville head coach Chad Harris. "They have done a tremendous job leading our younger players and have been a group I could always depend on both on and off the field. I am excited to see what they do with their lives after Platteville."

Having tied the season record on Wednesday, Kelso took sole ownership in the opener as he crushed one over the left center wall to lead off the top of the seventh inning. Kelso's run kept the game alive for the Pioneers as UW-Stevens Point had leaped out to a 10-0 lead after four innings.

UW-Platteville narrowed the lead to six runs in the eighth frame off an RBI single by Jake Wegner followed up by a Grant Mullins home run for two RBIs. The Pointers extended the lead back to seven runs after another home run in the nineth and the opener wrapped following four Pioneer at bats in the bottom of the nineth.

Three Pointers and two Pioneers homered in game one while UW-Stevens Point held the advantage with 11 hits to four. Both teams committed two errors in the opener.

Sam Hernandez (3-5) suffered the loss and struck out three while walking one and surrendering six hits and seven earned runs in two innings. Zach Lieb tossed relief and struck out two, walked three and gave up seven hits and four runs (three earned). Caleb Krommenakker (5-1) was credited the win and struck out seven while allowing six hits and four runs (three earned).

After the win in game one, UW-Stevens Point was one victory away from the number one seed in the WIAC Championship tournament and a share of the WIAC regular season title. The Pointers got into scoring position early with bases loaded in the top of the first, but Shane Nolan got out of the jam with a huge strikeout looking to retire the final out.

UW-Stevens Point got on the board first in the third inning with the second home run of the day for Aaron Simmons. Kelso tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth with a triple to center field to score one run. Mitchell McLaughlin ran in the new record holder off a fielder's choice bunt to take the 2-1 lead after four innings.

The Pointers reclaimed the lead in the firth, tallying two runs off a double and a wild pitch. UW-Stevens Point extended the lead to 4-2 in the sixth and 5-2 after seven innings. The sixth and final run of the game for the Pointers was another home run by Simmons to bring his total on the day to three.

Although the Pioneers were unable to close in on UW-Stevens Point's four-run lead, the final frame was highlighted by a hard-hit single up the middle to mark Kelso's 196^th career hit and sole ownership of the program career record.

Nolan (2-4) pitched eight innings of the nightcap and struck out seven Pointers. The senior walked two and surrendered nine hits and five runs. Andres Yance threw relief for one inning. J. Schultz (4-0) celebrated the win and tallied 13 strikeouts while walking one and yielding two hits and two runs. Sidney Ferry tallied his eighth save of the season and pitched two innings of relief, striking out three and giving up one hit.

In the nightcap, the Pointers outhit the Pioneers 10-3 while neither team committed an error.

Along with the program records, Kelso currently leads the conference with 68 hits this season.

UW-Stevens Point improves to 30-9 overall and 24-4 in the WIAC. With the Saturday sweep, the Pointers enter the conference tournament as the #1 seed and will get a bye in the first round along with #2 seed UW-Whitewater. UW-Stevens Point will face the lowest seed remaining on Friday, May 21 at Championship host site, UW-Whitewater.

The Pioneers conclude the regular season 15-25 overall and 8-20 in the WIAC. The Pioneers enter the WIAC Championship (presented by Culver's) as the #6 seed and will travel to #3 seed UW-La Crosse for the first day of the tournament on Wednesday, May 19 with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.  Winner of Wednesday's game will advance to the weekend competition at UW-Whitewater.

For more information on the WIAC Championship (presented by Culver's) click here.