Pioneers cruise to sweep over UW-River Falls

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Softball team (20-10, 5-3) swept its second WIAC opponent of the season with 9-3 and 9-1 (5 innings) victories over UW-River Falls (14-12, 2-2) on Saturday. The second win of the day marked the team's 20^th win of the season, a first for the program since the 2018 season.

The Falcons took their only lead of the day in the opener with an RBI double to left center in the second inning. UW-River Falls got in a jam an inning later when senior Amanda Stanczuk doubled to right center, scoring junior Payton Marvin and freshman Calli Storms. Dietz singled through the left side the next at bat to take a 3-1 lead. One out later, sophomore Taylor Roughen tripled to right field and drove in Dietz. Roughen then scored a couple pitches later on a wild pitch. The Pioneers weren't done yet and junior Danielle Trumbo doubled to score one more run for UW-Platteville to take a 6-1 lead by the end of the third.

An RBI double by Dietz and RBI single by Roughen in the fourth extended the Pioneers' lead to 8-1.

Both teams went three up, three down in the fifth before the Falcons made their best attempt at a comeback. With bases loaded and one out, an RBI single scored one. Another run scored on a single, but the Pioneers got out of the jam leaving three stranded and a lead of 8-3 intact.

Marvin stole her second base of the game and scored on an error on the play to extend the Pioneers lead to 9-3 which would soon become final.

Senior Claire Bakkestuen (9-4) claimed the win and pitched 5 and a third innings striking out six, walking three and surrendering six hits with three runs (two earned). Roughen relieved Bakkestuen in the sixth and struck out one and allowed one hit.

Maggie Wallin (5-4) suffered the loss while pitching two innings, striking out two, walking two and allowing three hits and three earned runs.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers built their lead at a steadier pace allowing only one Falcon to reach base in three innings while also scoring one run in each of the first three innings.

UW-River Falls finally got on the board in the fourth with an RBI single, to cut the Pioneers' lead to 3-1. The game quickly got out of reach for the Falcons in the bottom of the fifth as the top of the lineup led off and went back-to-back-to-back singles to score one run. Sophomore Jordan Johnson kept the rhythm going and singled to load bases just in time for Roughen to reach base on an RBI hit by pitch. Bakkestuen reached on a fielders choice, but an error at the plate allowed two runs to score to bring the Pioneers' lead to 7-1. Another error allowed sophomore Alexandria Davis reach and bring in another run. Freshman pinch hitter Morgan Brummer brought in the nineth run on an RBI single to right field to end the game with a run-rule win and sweep.

Roughen (10-4) was in the circle all game two and struck out three, walked one and allowed three hits and one run.

While the Pioneers pummeled the Falcons defense outhitting the Falcons 12-3, Morgan Stevenson (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing eight hits and four runs (3 earned) in four innings while striking out two and walking one.

Across the two games, the Pioneers outhit the Falcons 21-10 including seven doubles and a triple. UW-Platteville committed just one error while UW-River Falls suffered six.

The Pioneers will return to action on Sunday, April 23 for Senior Day against UW-Stout. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex.

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.