Hoeppner’s pitching leads Pioneers to split with Titans

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team split the WIAC doubleheader against UW-Oshkosh Friday at the UW-Oshkosh Softball Park.

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Hoeppner’s pitching leads Pioneers to split with Titans
April 19, 2019

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team split the WIAC doubleheader against UW-Oshkosh Friday at the UW-Oshkosh Softball Park.

The Pioneers shutout the Titans 1-0 in game one before falling 7-2 in game two and moved to 13-15, 3-3 WIAC while UWO improved to 18-10, 5-3 WIAC.

Ashton Hoeppner (W, 6-7) led the shutout in game one by racking up nine strikeouts and allowing just one walk and three hits.  Five of the seven innings were no-hitters as Hoeppner completed all seven innings.

The pitching was strong on both sides in game one and UWO's Bailey Smaney (L, 11-4) allowed just two hits, walked three, and struck out three.  Riley Kelsch accounted for one hit and one run scored while Rachel Martin tallied the second Pioneer hit with an RBI.

In game two, and early lead by the Titans sealed fate for the Pioneers. UW-Platteville suffered four errors with three occurring in the first two innings where UWO was able to pull ahead 7-0.

The Pioneers and Titans each tallied seven hits apiece in game two and the Pioneers' hitting was led by Shannon Gaul who went 3-for-3 at the plate.  Martin added a double in game two as well as another RBI on the day.

Hoeppner returned to the circle and relieved Abby Burns (L, 4-6) after one and one-third innings. Burns yielded four hits, three earned runs, and two walks while Hoeppner added another strikeout and allowed three hits. 

The Titans' Claire Petrus (W, 7-6) claimed the win and struck out three in seven innings and allowed seven hits, two earned runs, and walked one.

The Pioneers travel to #21 UW-Eau Claire Saturday for a double header scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m.