In a crucial WIAC doubleheader, it
took extra innings in both games to decide the winner, between the
University of Wisconsin-Platteville and University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Wednesday afternoon at the UW-Platteville
softball complex. The visiting Titans took the first game in nine
innings, 9-8 and the host Pioneers took the nightcap in eight
innings, 8-7.
With the doubleheader split,
UW-Platteville is now 19-14 overall and 8-6 in the WIAC; whereas,
UW-Oshkosh is now 21-15 and 6-6 in the WIAC.
In the first game, the two teams
lit up the scoreboard for 27 hits in the 9-8 extra-inning win by
UW-Oshkosh. Julie Sweeney and Katie Koepsel each had four RBI to
lead a Titan attack. Koepsel, Tess Fadness and Hillary Trebiatowski
each had three hits and Sweeney added two to lead UW-Oshkosh.
In the contest, no lead was safe
for either team. UW-Oshkosh went ahead in the top of the first,
plating two runs for the early 2-0 lead. The Pioneers came back in
the bottom half of the inning, sending nine batters to the plate,
scoring three runs
Then, UW-Platteville stretched
its lead to 4-2 in the top of the second when McReynolds hit a solo
home run to start the inning. A two-RBI single by Koepsel in the
third, tied the game at 4 and for the second time in the
contest.
UW-Oshkosh took its second lead of the game in the fourth inning
when they scored four times. Three of which came in on a home run
by reigning WIAC Offensive Player of the Week, Julie
Sweeney.
The Titans retained the momentum in the bottom half of the inning
when
Nathalie Schattner hit a deep fly ball to left field that
UW-Oshkosh left fielder Hillary Trebiatowski caught at the top of
the fence to take away a home run by the Pioneer designated
player.
However, the Pioneers rallied to tie it in the sixth, scoring four
runs to tie the game at 8. For the second time in the game,
UW-Platteville sent nine batters to the plate. To score the runs,
the Pioneers got RBI singles by
Molly Rice and
Colleen Lowe and a
two-RBI single from pinch hitter
Taylor Ruchti.
Both teams stranded base runners in the seventh to force extra
innings. With one out in the ninth, Koepsel recorded her third hit
of the game, going deep to put the visitors ahead by one.
The Pioneers mounted a two-out
threat when Folkers doubled to the gap in left-center field.
However, Sweeney got Schattner to strike out to end the game.
In relief, Sweeney pitched the final 3 1/3 innings, scattering two
hits and striking out four for the win and even her record at
7-7.
UW-Platteville starter
Melissa Anderson pitched all nine innings in
the loss to fall to 9-7.
In the nightcap, the two teams combined for 15 runs and 16 hits but
the biggest run and two biggest hits in the game came in the eighth
inning. In the inning,
Chantal McReynolds started off the inning
with a double to right center and plated the eventual game-winning
run on a double by
Nathalie Schattner for the 8-7 win by the
Pioneers.
UW-Oshkosh took an early 4-0 lead in the first on a Tess Fadness
grand slam. The Pioneers plated their first run of the game when
Schattner drove in McReynolds from second for the first time in the
game. McReynolds started the Pioneer half of the first, reaching on
a walk.
Three walks, including one to Schattner with the bases loaded and a
single by
Jordan Johnson loaded the bases for the UW-Platteville
designated player cut the Pioneer deficit to 4-2.
A three-run home run by Schattner in the fourth put the Pioneers
ahead 5-4; however, the Titans answered when Sweeney hit her second
home run of the doubleheader just inside the foul pole to give the
Titans a 6-5 lead. A solo home run in the sixth by UW-Oshkosh
stretched the lead to 7-5; however, the Pioneers failed to
concede.
In the sixth,
Ashlen Folkers delivered a two-RBI single up the
middle to tie the game at seven between the Pioneers and the
Titans. After both teams stranded base runners in the seventh, it
set the stage for the heroics by Schattner and McReynolds in the
eighth for the Pioneers.
McReynolds picked up her second hit of the contest, doubling to the
gap in right center. After a ground out, Schattner delivered her
sixth RBI of the game when she plated McReynolds with a double to
the gap in right-center field for the game-winning run.
Next, the Pioneers will wrap up
the home portion of its 2012 season with a non-conference
doubleheader against Cornell on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the
UW-Platteville Softball Complex.
