Pioneers split pair in Tucson

TUCSON, AZ – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team split a pair of games Tuesday afternoon with an exciting final inning win over Texas-Dallas before being downed by Buena Vista University late in the game.

In game one, the Pioneers (3-6) defeated the Comets (11-10) 7-5 with the final two runs for the Pioneers coming off a two RBI single by centerfielder Rachel Bonnell in the top of the seventh.  

UW-Platteville got off to a slow start with Texas-Dallas taking a 3-0 lead after one inning, but the Pioneers fought back and tied the game up with one inning remaining and was able to execute in the seventh the winning run and a little insurance.

Bonnell went 3-for-3 at the plate and tallied up three RBI along the way with one run scored. Left fielder, Alejandra Ochoa got on base off two hits and a walk to scored three runs while third base, Abby Burns totaled two hits for two RBI and a run scored.

Andra O'Brien (1-0) got the win after relieving Ashton Hoeppner in the bottom of the second and struck out two, walked one, gave up five hits, and one earned run.

In game two, the Pioneers fell to BVU 5-2. The game remained tied 0-0 until BVU took a one run lead after four innings. The Pioneers tied up the game in the bottom of the fifth when second base, Chaela West scored off a wild pitch and Rachel Martin singled deep to left field with two outs to run Haili Cota in for the 2-1 advantage.

BVU got the tying run off a throwing error in the top of the sixth and took the lead for the second time of the day shortly after. BVU would add two more runs in the top of the seventh before the would be called final. 

Peyton Cross (7-0) pitched a complete game and struck out six, walked four, gave up five hits, and had two earned runs against.  Abby Burns (1-2) took the loss and struck out two, walked two, had one earned run against, and gave up five hits before Andra O'Brien entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and gave up four hits and one earned run before the game came to a close.

The Pioneers move to 3-7 overall while Buena Vista improves to 12-4 overall. The Pioneers near the end of their spring trip to Tucson with two games scheduled Wednesday against MacMurray and Edgewood College.