Pioneers Pick Up Two Run-Rule Wins in Florida

CLERMONT, FLA. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team got off to a fast start on day one of their Spring Break trip at The Spring Games, registering a pair of six-inning run-rule victories on Sunday. The Pioneers (7-1) first defeated Westminster (3-12) 14-4 before beating Manchester (3-4) 10-2. 

Junior Melissa Dietz had a fantastic day at the plate, finishing 6-for-8, including three doubles and a triple, for seven RBI and three runs scored.

In the first game, Westminster took an early 2-0 lead, but with two outs and bases loaded in the top of the second, the Pioneers scored six runs. Two runs scored on a walk and hit by pitch and two more runs each scored off a double by sophomore Allison Peters and a single by Dietz.

The Pioneers scored another run in the third and three more in the fourth to lead 10-2 after four innings. Dietz doubled again in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 11-2 and then scored on an error. Senior Lauren Heuberger singled to drive in two more runs to take a 10-run lead.

Freshman Morgan Erickson (3-1) captured the win in the circle and struck out seven in 3.2 innings pitched. Erickson surrendered three hits, zero runs and walked none. 

In the second game, UW-Platteville slowly built their lead behind scoring at least one run in all but one of the innings. By the end of four innings, the Pioneers led 4-0, but Manchester cut that lead in half in the top of the fifth off a two-RBI double to center field. Senior Felicia Teubert answered back in the bottom of the fifth with a double to right field, which scored two runs. Senior Taylor Roughen brought in another run off a sac fly.

Manchester went three and out to start the sixth inning and Dietz tripled to right field, extending the lead to 9-2. Sophomore Mia Savage's walk-off single to left field scored Dietz and the Pioneers finished the day with two victories in 12 innings. 

Roughen (2-0) pitched a complete game for the win and struck out eight, walked one and allowed four hits and two earned runs. 

The Pioneers will continue their busy week on Monday with games against Kalamazoo (9:15 a.m.) and Colby (12:15 p.m.) in Clermont.