Pioneers Open Conference Play With Split Against Eagles

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team (4-8, 1-1 WIAC) opened WIAC play on Friday afternoon with a split against UW-La Crosse (9-4, 1-1 WIAC). The Pioneers dropped game one of the doubleheader 6-5 before rolling to an 11-4 win in game two from Copeland Park in La Crosse.

Game One

Back-to-back two out hits, including an RBI double by sophomore Mason Molitor, put the Pioneers on the board in the top of the first, but the Eagles answered with a three-run home run in the bottom half of the inning to move in front 3-1.

After UW-La Crosse scored once in the third to increase the lead to three, UW-Platteville put together a three-run fifth inning to tie the game at four. Junior Justin Fago doubled to lead off and later came in to score on a throwing error. Sophomore Caleb Parker and junior Grant Bossert brought home the other two runs on the inning on singles.

The Eagles regained the lead with a two-run bottom half of the fifth and the Pioneers cut the deficit in half in the sixth on a sacrifice squeeze by sophomore Charlie Breen. UW-Platteville put runners on base in each of the final three innings but were unable to even the score as the Eagles won 6-5.

The Pioneers outhit UW-La Crosse 10-7, with Parker and Fago each recording three hits. Two of Fago's hit were doubles, with Molitor tallying the other UW-Platteville extra-base hit. Parker was active on the basepaths in the game with two stolen bases.

On the mound, senior Brandon Molldrem was saddled with the loss after allowing six runs across five innings. Freshman Josh Dahlgren tossed the final three innings and allowed just two hits and no runs.

Game Two

The Pioneers scored first with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. All four hits in the frame came with two outs, including RBI singles from senior Wyatt Molitor and Bossert. UW-La Crosse got one back in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI groundout.

UW-Platteville's offense got rolling in the seventh inning, scoring seven runs, including six with two outs, to take a 9-1 lead. Wyatt Molitor knocked in one on a groundout and Bossert delivered a two-out single to center to score the second run. Following a UW-La Crosse pitching change, Mason Molitor singled to score one, and another scored on a fielding error. Senior Jake Wegner came through with a double to plate the fifth run and the final two runs of the inning crossed the plate on a single by sophomore Ian Merry.

Fago drove in two more runs in the coming innings on a single in the sixth and a groundout in the eighth as the Pioneers held off the Eagles for an 11-4 win.

UW-Platteville totaled 13 hits in the second game, with four player recording multiple knocks in the game.

On the mound, senior Mitchell Pomeroy threw his first career complete game to pick up the win. He gave up four runs on eight hits while striking out four.

Up Next

The Pioneers will play two more against UW-La Crosse tomorrow with first pitches scheduled for noon and 3 p.m.

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.