Pioneer Pitching Gems Lead To Sweep Of Blue Devils

MENOMONIE, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team defeated the University of Wisconsin-Stout in both ends of a non-conference doubleheader at Stout on Saturday.  The Pioneers took game one by a final of 4-2.  In the nightcap, it was Platteville shutting out the Blue Devils, 4-0.  With the wins, Platteville has now won four of its last five and improves its overall record to 15-13.  Stout falls to 5-21.

In game one, Ashton Hoeppner (Sr./Winona, Minn.) won her second game in as many days as she went the distance in the 4-2 victory.  A two-run, bases loaded single from Michala Belter in the third inning were the only runs the Blue Devils could muster against the Pioneer starter.  Hoeppner scattered eight hits and struck out eight in improving to 6-8 on the season.  The senior pitched in both ends of a doubleheader on Friday vs. UW-La Crosse and earned a win in relief during a 4-2 win over the Eagles.

The Pioneers opened the scoring in the second inning with a pair of runs.  With one out and two on, Riley Kelsch (Jr./Aurora, Ill.) singled scoring Claire Bakkestuen (So./Forest Lake, Minn) and Alejandra Ochoa (Sr./Plainfield, Ill.).  After Stout tied things in the third, Shannon Gaul (Sr./Aurora, Ill.) walked with the bases loaded in the fourth to give the Pioneers the lead for good.  In the sixth, Gaul reached base on an error.  On the play, Amanda Stanczuk (So./Palatine, Ill.) scored giving Platteville an insurance run.

Bakkestuen was dominant from the circle in game two.  The righthander struck out 10 and only walked just one in shutting out the Blue Devils and earning her fifth win of the season (5-2).  Platteville got all the runs they would need in the top of the first.  Abby Burns (Sr./Morris, Ill.) led the game off with a single.  After an Ochoa sacrifice moved Burns to second, Gaul singled to right and advanced to second shortly thereafter.  Rachel Plautz (Jr./Wausau, Wis.) then stepped to the plate and ripped the thirf Pioneer hit to right field in the inning, scoring Burns and Gaul.

Bakkestuen helped her own cause in the top of the sixth with a solo home run, her fourth of the season, to push the Platteville lead to 3-0.  The Pioneers added a single run in the seventh for the final margin of victory.

Gaul reached base in all four of her game two plate appearances going 3-3 and drawing a walk.  The performance raised her season batting average to an even .400.

Platteville will take Saturday's momentum into the pivotal final week of the regular season.  Currently holding a 6-6 record in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Pioneers have the opportunity to make up some ground with doubleheaders against two WIAC rivals currently above them in the standings.  On Tueasday, Platteville hosts UW-Whitewater at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex.  After a doubleheader sweep of previous first place UW-Eau Claire, the Warhawks will come into Tuesdays game with an 8-4 conference mark.  Then on Friday, UWP will travel to UW-Eau Claire (7-5 in WIAC) for the final doubleheader of the regular season.