Pioneers Conclude Series With Titans Friday

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team (5-7, 0-4 WIAC) wrapped up the four game series with UW-Oshkosh (13-3, 4-0 WIAC) on Friday, falling 8-7 on a walk-off in game one and 8-4 in game two from Alumni Stadium in Oshkosh.

Game One

The Pioneers put three on the board of the opening inning in game one, which started with a double by freshman Trinity Beland. He came in score on an error that allowed sophomore Caleb Parker to reach base, and junior Sam Meidenbauer ripped a single up the middle to bring home Parker. Senior Jake Wegner drove in the final run of the frame with a double.

Two more runs scored for UW-Platteville in the second on a single by freshman Danny Hodel, but the Titans responded with six runs across the next two innings to take a 6-5 lead heading into the fifth. Freshman Anthony Massa tied it back up with a two-out RBI double in the fifth and the Pioneers grabbed the lead back in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Hodel.

The Titans knotted it back up at with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the sixth, and the game remained even at seven over the next couple innings. UW-Platteville threatened to take the lead in the ninth after Parker doubled to lead off and then advanced to third with one out, but a pair of strikeouts ended the inning. UW-Oshkosh put two runners on with one out in the bottom of the ninth, and a single to left center won it for the Titans.

Sophomore Peerson Kephart (0-1) was dealt the loss, but he pitched a strong 3.1 innings of relief for the Pioneers prior to the walk-off in the ninth. Junior Jordan Stanton started the game for UW-Platteville, allowing five earned runs across 3.2 innings.

UW-Platteville finished with 10 hits, with Beland and Wegner each finishing with a pair. All nine of the Pioneers starters in game one reached base at least once, and Hodel posted a team-high three RBI.

Game Two

UW-Oshkosh scored five runs across the first two innings behind a pair of home runs, with the Pioneers sandwiching one run in between on a wild pitch that allowed sophomore Tarron Bockhop to score.

Senior Slate Higa doubled in a run for UW-Platteville in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 5-2, but the Titans added a run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly to extend the gap back to four. Massa brought in a run with a double down the left field line in the eighth, but another UW-Oshkosh home run and an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning made it 8-3. Hodel wrapped up the scoring in the game with a single in the top of the ninth that brought home Beland.

Wegner fell to 0-1 on the season after allowing five earned runs across 1.1 innings. He was replaced by junior Pierce Nelson, who held the Titans scoreless over 3.2 innings while striking out five. Freshman Jacek Gutowski pitched the final three innings, giving up three runs on three hits.

At the plate, Parker and Massa each finished with three hits as the Pioneers outhit the Titans 12-8. Beland added a pair of hits, finishing with four on the day.

Up Next

The Pioneers are slated to play their 2025 home opener on Thursday at 4 p.m. against Edgewood.