Bats Heat Up Friday as Pioneers Roll to 4-0 Start on the Season

PEORIA, Ill. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team showcased its potent offense Friday as it improved to 4-0 on the season after the second day of the Blue Angels Invite. The Pioneers erupted for 20 runs on day as they defeated Mount Mary (1-2) 14-0 in five innings and Elmhurst College (0-2) 6-2.

Melissa Dietz had a day as the sophomore went 4-for-5, featuring three doubles and one home run and tallying eight RBI across the two games. The Pioneers scored a total of 11 runs in the first innings of the two games and combined for18 hits compared to eight by their opponents.

The success on offense was joined by a Pioneer pitching staff totaling 25 strikeouts and a defense that committed just one error all day.

Junior Carlie Jo Brownlee (1-0) captured her first win of the season in the first game, striking out 11, walking one and allowing just one hit in four innings pitched.

Senior Taylor Roughen and freshman Morgan Erickson joined forces in the second game. Roughen, coming off a no-hitter last night, started and pitched three innings, striking out six, walking one and allowing three hits and one earned run. Erickson (1-0) captured her first collegiate win, pitching the final four innings and striking out seven, walking none and giving up four hits and one earned run.

The Pioneer swill return to action on Sunday, March 2 when they take on Buena Vista at 11 a.m. at the Rochester, Minnesota Dome.

*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.