Pioneers shutout Falcons for non-conference split

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Bats came alive for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team (9-9, 3-3 WIAC) in game two of Sunday's doubleheader against UW-River Falls (9-9, 4-4 WIAC) at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex. The Pioneers divvied out 11 runs and 10 hits in the shutout after falling 7-4 in the first contest. Abby Burns (3-2) got the win in the circle for the Pioneers striking out five, walking one and allowing just two hits in the five innings.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers' hitting brigade was led by seniors Shannon Gaul (3-for-3), Abby Burns (2-for-2), Haili Cota (2-2) and sophomore Claire Bakkestuen (2-for-3). UW-Platteville jumped to the lead early with a double to right center to run home Burns in the bottom of the 1^st. The Pioneers extended their lead to three runs in the 3^rd inning courtesy of a double to left field by Burns and a sacrifice fly from junior Rachel Plautz to run Burns home once again.

Three batters and three outs later, Bakkestuen led off the bottom of the 4^th inning and homered for what went on to be the first of two home runs for Bakkestuen in the same inning. After one out, one error and one pitching change for the Falcons, Burns walked to load the bases. Senior Alejandra Ochoa grounded one to the shortstop, but a fielding error left the Pioneer safe at first and scored one run. Then a wild pitch over the catcher's head advanced the runners scored the third run of the inning.

After the wild pitch, Plautz singled to right field for two RBIs and UW-River Falls was forced to make yet another pitching change, still with one out. Gaul singled to place runners on first and second base. The Falcons could not catch a break as junior Angela Laabs' SAC bunt scored Plautz and advanced Gaul who went all the way to third after the second baseman who covered first base overthrew second base in an attempt to wrap-up the inning. Leading 9-0, Bakkestuen was back up for her second at-bat of the inning and hammered another one over the 325' fence to score two runs and extend the lead to 11-0. Burns and the Pioneers wrapped-up the game with three batters and three outs later to finish the day in five innings.

Corinne Roe (1-2) suffered the loss while giving up seven hits and six runs with one strikeout.

The five-inning shutout followed a hard-fought comeback attempt in game one following a challenging 3^rd inning which left UW-Platteville trailing 7-1. As in the following game, the Pioneers were first on the board after Cota battled it out for a perfectly placed hit to left field with two outs and bases loaded.

The Falcons managed to stack up seven runs in the top of the 3^rd inning and set the Pioneers up for a chance at a comeback. With two outs in the 6^th inning, Cota singled up the middle to score Bakkestuen and keep bases loaded. Burns followed and walked to move the runners and trim UW-River Falls' lead to four runs before the final out of the inning. UW-Platteville continued to battle through the end with another situation which left the Pioneers with two outs and bases loaded in the final inning. Sophomore Amanda Stanczuk's infield single scored one run and brought the winning run up to the plate. The Falcons then re-entered the leadoff pitcher Juliana Reynolds to save the 7-4 win. Reynolds (6-3) struck out three, walked two and gave up seven hits and three runs.

The Pioneers will take off Monday and return to action on Tuesday, April 20 when they travel to UW-Oshkosh for a WIAC pair starting at 2 p.m.