Written by Colten Bartholomew, UW-Platteville Sports Information Intern

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team began its seven-game road trip with a hard-fought 12-7 loss to Johns Hopkins.

Both teams were strong in the first three innings, keeping each other off the scoreboard.

In the fourth, Pioneer junior starting pitcher Mike Boushley hit a rough patch, allowing Johns Hopkins to score two runs on four hits, all of them singles. Johns Hopkins scored two more runs on an RBI double and an RBI single.

Down 4-0, the Pioneers' hitters started connecting with the ball in the fifth, scoring five runs on six hits. After the Pioneers had already gotten three runs, shortstop Casey Schroeder delivered the big blow, ripping a two-RBI single down the leftfield line.

Johns Hopkins tied the game 5-5 in the seventh, then took the lead back in the eighth, as sophomore Kevin Maher replaced Boushley and allowed three runs on four hits after Johns Hopkins loaded the bases with no outs.

In the ninth inning, Johns Hopkins pushed the lead to 12-5 on the strength of five hits, two of which were RBI doubles.

The Pioneers were able to get two in their half of the ninth, as Schroeder notched an RBI single and first baseman Zach Demmon brought in a run on a fielder's choice.

Despite the loss, Boushley ended with a no decision, as he pitched seven innings, allowing five runs and striking out four.

The Pioneers play again tomorrow at noon against Wooster.