Pioneers shutout Falcons in conference opener

RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team shutout UW-River Falls by scores of 4-0 and 10-0 in the WIAC opener on Saturday afternoon. Junior Taylor Roughen tallied 10 strikeouts in the opener while sophomore Carlie Jo Brownlee added five strikeouts in the nightcap.

Overall, the Pioneers (21-3, 2-0) outhit the Falcons (10-10, 0-2) 21-9 and never committed an error. 

In the first game, the teams remained locked at zeros going into the fifth inning, but a single to left field by junior Alex Davis scored one run. Roughen increased the lead in the seventh inning with a 2RBI single through the right side and freshman Felicia Teubert added an insurance run with a single to left field. 

Roughen (13-1) pitched the complete first game, walking one and allowing five hits. 

The Pioneers only needed six innings in the nightcap to capture their second victory of the day. 

Senior Danielle Trumbo's single to left field scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Another single an inning later by freshman Allison Peters scored two more runs and freshman Mia Savage's double to left field brought the Pioneers' lead to 4-0 after three innings. 

The bats stayed hot and the Pioneers increased their lead to 6 runs before junior Jordan Johnson's grand slam to left field extended the lead to 10-0 in the sixth.

Brownlee (5-2) pitched the complete game in the second half of the doubleheader and walked one and allowed four hits. 

The Pioneers return to action and conference competition on Wednesday, April 17 when they travel to UW-Stevens Point for a 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.