Pioneers Split With Blue Devils Friday

MENOMONIE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team (5-11, 2-4 WIAC) split a doubleheader against UW-Stout (6-8, 1-5 WIAC) on Friday afternoon, winning game one 16-7 before falling 7-0 in game two from Nelson Field in Menomonie.

Game One

After scoring once in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by junior Justin Fago, the Pioneers offense erupted for five runs in the third to go in front by six. Junior Grant Bossert drove in the first two runs in the third with a bases loaded single before senior Jake Wegner brought home another on a double. Junior Brady Katterhagen capped off the inning with a single that scored both Bossert and Wegner.

UW-Stout got on the board with a two-run home run in the fourth, but UW-Platteville scored five more runs in the bottom half of the inning to make it 11-2. Senior Wyatt Molitor knocked in one with a single and Bossert connected on a grand slam to centerfield to bring his RBI total to six in the game.

The Blue Devils chipped away at the lead and trailed 11-7 entering the bottom of the eighth inning before the Pioneers put together another five-run frame. Three runs scored in the inning on a couple of Blue Devil errors, and Wegner and Katterhagen each plated runs with hits.

The Pioneers put together season-highs in runs (16) and hits (19) in the win while striking out just two total times. Wyatt Molitor, Katterhagen, Bossert, and junior Slate Higa each led the team with three hits, while Parker, Fago, and Wegner each had a pair.

Senior Brandon Molldrem made the start on the mound and allowed two runs across four innings of work. Freshman Josh Dahlgren picked up his first win of the year in relief after tossing the next two innings before junior Conner Paulson locked down the final three frames.

Game Two

The Pioneers offense couldn't get much going in the second game, as Higa recorded the team's only hit of the game with a double in the third inning. UW-Platteville drew four walks in the game as well, with Fago reaching via base on balls twice.

UW-Stout scored once in the top of the second on a solo home run and put together three-run innings in both the fifth and seventh innings to win 7-0.

Junior Brady Hoppert fell to 1-3 on the year after allowing four earned runs across 4.1 innings. Sophomore William Hough gave up the last three in the next 2.1 innings, while freshman Isaac Then tossed the final 2.1 innings of scoreless ball.

Up Next

The Pioneers will wrap up the four-game series against UW-Stout tomorrow afternoon with games set for noon and 3 p.m.