Fighting Bees chase down Pioneers

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team (8-10) led 6-4 going into the bottom of the 6^th inning Tuesday, but St. Ambrose (18-3) buzzed by the Pioneers to win 8-7 and extend its win-streak to 13. St. Ambrose also claimed game one of the double header in St. Vincent Complex by a score of 5-2.

Claire Bakkestuen had a notable day going 6-8 on the day, including 4-4 in game two, along with three runs batted and one home run. Bakkestuen (3-3) also pitched a complete second game while striking out six, walking three and allowing nine hits in six innings pitched. 

In game one, the Bees built their lead slowly, putting up five runs across the first six frames while the Pioneers managed to add one in the 5^th inning off a single to left field by Bakkestuen and another run the 7^th inning. St. Ambrose's Erica Ralfs' (10-0) tossed a complete game for the bees and struck out seven, walked two and offered up eight hits.

In game two, bats came alive as the Pioneers outhit the Bees 17-9. Although St. Ambrose came out of the blocks taking a 4-0 lead after two innings, UW-Platteville cut that lead in half in the 3^rd frame. Amanda Stanczuk grounded out to the second baseman to score one run and Riley Kelsch followed and doubled to right center to score the second run of the inning. The Pioneers added three in the 5^th and a single run after Bakkestuen homered in the 6^th to lead 6-4. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the 6^th altered the score 8-6 in favor of the Bees. Bakkestuen doubled in the 7^th to bat in one run, but the tying and go-ahead run remained stranded after the final out of the game. 

The Pioneers will return to action next Wednesday, April 6 when they open WIAC play against UW-Whitewater at 3 p.m. at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex.