Gaul leads Pioneers to WIAC split with Eagles

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Shannon Gaul's perfect 5-for-5 day at the plate for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team guided the Pioneers (13-13, 6-6 WIAC) to a 4-2 nightcap victory after falling 2-1 in the opener to the Eagles of UW-La Crosse (11-12, 7-5 WIAC). Friday's conference split at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex leaves the Pioneers tied with UW-Stevens Point for fifth in the WIAC and UW-La Crosse sitting at fourth in the league.

Gaul went 3-for-3 in the opener tallying one double and dishing out the first hit of the game in the bottom of the second frame.  Both teams held each other scoreless until the fourth inning when the Eagles scored two runs off two RBI bunts.

The Pioneers trailed 2-0 going into the bottom of the seventh and moved into scoring position with runners on first and third with one out. A single to left field by senior Haili Cota scored one run, but a pitching change for the save knocked out the two final outs of the game.

In game two, the Pioneers were first on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second frame off an RBI single by sophomore Amanda Stanczuk. The Eagles added one run in the third to knot the game 1-1, but the Pioneers pulled away in the bottom of the same inning with back-to-back doubles from Gaul and junior Angela Laabs to each score one run and give UW-Platteville a 3-1 advantage.

UW-La Crosse chipped away at the lead and added one run in the fifth, but junior Riley Kelsch knocked one to left field for an RBI with two outs to give the Pioneers a two-run cushion.

Senior Ashton Hoeppner (5-8) tallied the win in the nightcap after suffering the loss in game one where the Pioneer struck out 11, walked none, and surrendered just four hits in loss. Hoeppner pitched four innings of relief for sophomore Claire Bakkestuen in the nightcap and added four more strikeouts for 15 on the day while surrendering three additional hits and walking two.

Maddie Muelken (6-6) took home the win in game one and struck out two, walked one, and surrendered eight hits. Sydney Shattuck (5-2) suffered the loss in game two and surrendered five hits while walking one.

The Pioneers will return to action tomorrow (Saturday) for a non-conference doubleheader at UW-Stout. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.