UW-Platteville and UW-Stout Split Doubleheader

UW-Platteville was a diving catch away from a doubleheader sweep of UW-Stout on Friday afternoon at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex on Friday. The Pioneers (14-20, 4-8 WIAC) bounced back from a 3-2 defeat in the opener to post a 2-1 win over the Blue Devils (16-16, 3-7 WIAC) in exciting fashion in the nightcap.

Prior to the game, the Pioneers recognized seniors Samantha Niemann and Kristin Nelson for their contributions both on and off the field to the program.

Game 1
Both teams had double-digit hits in game one but a RBI double in the top of the seventh by the Blue Devils was just enough for the 3-2 win. The Pioneers nearly had the come-from-behind win in its half of the inning.

Molly Rice recorded her third hit of the afternoon with a double to center field to start the inning. Next, Cassandra Bonin reached on a fielder’s choice but a Pioneer pinchrunner was thrown out at third. The Blue Devils got a pop out for the second out of the inning but the Pioneers managed to load the bases for Jordan Johnson and prompting a UW-Stout pitching change. A pop out on a diving catch by the Blue Devils shortstop Alison Gray ended the game and the opportunity for the Pioneers.

Despite the loss, Molly Rice had a season-high three hits, Chantal McReynolds, Brittany Caley and Ellyn Goerdt each had two hits to spark an 11-hit attack. Alison Gray led the Blue Devils with three hits and Kelly Conway added two in the win.

Game 2
The Pioneers bounced back in the nightcap with a 2-1 win to pick up the doubleheader split. UW-Platteville freshman pitcher Jeni Freiburger and they got both runs in the fifth inning in the win; plus Brittany Caley (picture above) led the Pioneers with two hits and had both RBIs. The Blue Devils spread its five hits among five-different players in the loss.

UW-Platteville had base runners in every inning except for the third but it was fifth inning that proved to be the difference. Molly Rice started the inning with a single, next Cassandra Bonin reached on a fielder’s choice. Then, a Chantal McReynolds single put runners on the corners for the Pioneers. An infield single by Aubrey Fulton loaded the bases for Brittany Caley, who singled to drive in McReynolds and Bonin for the 2-0 advantage.

Freiburger kept the Blue Devils without a hit until the sixth inning. A single by Alison Gray in the sixth broke up the no-hitter. Two-straight hits by UW-Stout in the seventh plated the Blue Devils first run of the game, cutting the Pioneers lead to 2-1.

However, Freiburger got out of the jam and the stellar defense of Pioneer freshman Cassandra Bonin ended the game. Bonin, who was playing right field, made a catch for the second out and the Blue Devils runner at third tagged up and headed for home. The throw by Bonin went straight to Pioneer catcher Samantha Niemann to complete the relay, who tagged the base runner to end the threat and the contest for the Pioneer win.

The Pioneers will next host UW-Stevens Point at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex on Monday, April 25 at 4 p.m.