Pioneers take two in Florida opener

LEESBURG, FL – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team improved to 6-0 on the season after winning its first two games of the spring break trip to Florida.  The Pioneers opened the day with an 8-0 six-inning shutout over Macalester followed by a 3-1 triumph over McDaniel. 

The Pioneers got on the board in the second inning of the Macalester game after scoring two unearned runs, with two outs. Kate Davis singled to second base to bring in a third run in the third inning.  Later in the fifth, junior Jordan Johnson and freshman Felicia Teubert each doubled to opposite centers to bring in a run apiece. Two at-bats later, junior Alex Davis scored on a fielding error. The Pioneers added the final two runs in the top of the sixth and the game ended shortly after when senior catcher Payton Marvin's throw to Davis at second base got there in time to catch the runner stealing for the final out. 

Teubert went 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of runs and RBI. 

Junior Taylor Roughen improved to 3-0 on the season and pitched her second complete game, striking out six, walking none and allowing three hits.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Roughen singled through the left side to drive in the first run and take a 1-0 lead. In the third inning, McDaniel loaded the bases, but a ground out to second base got the final out and kept the Green Terror off the scoreboard. Roughen stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the third with two outs and a runner on first and drilled one to right center for a triple and RBI. Davis followed Roughen and singled through the left side to run in Roughen and put the Pioneers ahead 3-0. McDaniel finally got on the board in the seventh on a ground out RBI, but the Pioneers 3-1 lead held. 

Johnson collected her first win of the season and pitched 3.2 innings after relieving  sophomore Carlie Jo Brownlee who had struck out three while allowing one walk and four hits. Sophomore Jaena Michalak earned the save and stepped into the circle for two-thirds of the seventh.

The Pioneers return to action on Monday, March 11 for another pair of games in Florida. First up is Nichols at 11:30 a.m. followed by Albertus Magnus at 1:30 p.m.