Pioneers sink Buccaneers

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team swept its fifth doubleheader of the season with a pair of five-inning run-rule victories over Beloit College on Wednesday. The Pioneers (23-11) took game one 22-1, falling just one run away from the school record, before shutting out Beloit (8-24) 13-0 in the nightcap. 

The Pioneers combined for 35 runs scored, 29 hits, 30 RBI, two triples and seven doubles. 

Leading the Pioneers were junior Payton Marvin who went 5-for-8, senior Claire Bakkestuen who finished the day 4-for-7 and sophomore Jordan Johnson who went 4-for-8. Marvin tallied five RBI, Bakkestuen four and Johnson three.  

In game one, the Pioneers took off quick out of the gates and never looked back. Three runs in the first inning was soon overshadowed by seven more runs in the second. A triple by freshman Melissa Dietz scored two runs while Marvin's triple scored the fourth run of the second inning.

Leading 10-1 and going into the bottom of the third a double down the left line from junior Kendall Drake scored the first two of eight runs scored in the third. A two RBI double from Johnson extended the Pioneers lead to 18-1. 

UW-Platteville scored four more in their final offensive appearance in game one to secure the 22-1 win. 

Bakkestuen (10-4) took home her final win at home of her college career striking out five, walking none and allowing six hits and one run in three innings pitch. Johnson relieved the senior and struck out two, walked one and allowed one hit in two innings.  

The Buccaneers kept game two closer until the Pioneers broke away in the fourth. 

Senior Amanda Stanczuk scored the first run of the nightcap in the second inning when she was hit by a pitch with bases loaded. 

In the third, Bakkestuen's double to centerfield fell just shy of a home run as it hit the fence but did bat in the second run of the game. Three batters later, freshman Calli Storms singled to right field to score two more runs and extend the lead to 4-0. 

Three up and three down in the top of the fourth set UW-Platteville up for their highest scoring inning of the day. Drake stole home for the first of nine runs. Sophomore Alexandria Davis doubled to left field to score another run and Bakkestuen added another RBI with a single to left. Davis' second appearance in the fourth scored the nineth and final run of the inning with a single down the left field line. 

Sophomore Taylor Roughen (12-5) captured the win in game two striking out four, walking one and allowing just one hit in 4.2 innings.  

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, April 29 when they travel to UW-Eau Claire for a WIAC doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. 

*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.