Pioneers drop two at No. 22 UW-Oshkosh

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team dropped the final two games of the 2023 regular season to No. 22 nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh. The Pioneers (24-14, 7-7) dropped a 1-0 nailbiter to start the day and the Titans (33-5, 10-4) pulled ahead early in the nightcap to win 7-4. 

Senior Claire Bakkestuen (11-5) pitched a complete first game striking out six, walking none and allowing three hits across the seven innings. 

The Pioneers and Titans remained tied 0-0 after five and a half innings, but UW-Oshkosh scored the lone run of the game on a throwing error in the bottom of the sixth. 

The Titans pulled away quickly in the second game, scoring four runs in the first inning. 

UW-Platteville answered back and tied the game in the top of the second which started with an RBI fielder's choice. With two outs, the Pioneers scored three more runs starting with a fielding error by the third base followed by a two RBI single up the middle by freshman Melissa Dietz. 

UW-Oshkosh reclaimed the lead for good later in the second inning scoring a run on a single through the left side and two RBI single to left field to pull ahead 7-4 where it would stay. 

Sophomore Jordan Johnson (0-2) suffered the loss and pitched 1.1 inning, allowing six hits and seven runs while walking four. Freshman Jeana Michalak pitched relief and struck out one, walked six and allowed two hits in 4.2 innings.  

Next up, the Pioneers advance to the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver's) as the No. 4 seed. UW-Whitewater will host the tournament as the No. 1 seed and UW-Platteville will face the No. 5 seed on Thursday, May 11 at 9 a.m.