MAUSTON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team was bested by big innings in both games (7-5, 13-5) of Monday's WIAC opener against UW-Stout at Woodside Sports Complex. The Blue Devils (7-5, 2-0 WIAC) tallied four runs in the 3rd inning of game one and six runs in the 8th inning of game two in order to secure the advantage against the Pioneers (2-6, 0-2 WIAC) needed for the sweep in the neutral site home double header.
In game one, UW-Platteville was first on the board, scoring one run in the 2nd off an error by the third basemen. The Blue Devils took control in the 3rd inning, scoring four runs off two doubles to left field and down the left line. The Pioneers kept battling and trimmed UW-Stout's lead to 4-2 off single through the left side by Dillon Sunnquist. The Blue Devils notched one more in the 5th and one in the 6th to take a 6-2 lead, but the Pioneers were not done yet. The Blue Devils intentionally walked Jonathan Kelso in the 7th inning to put Pioneers on first and second base. Jake Wegner was next up to bat and doubled down the left field line to bring in two runs. Jordan Collins batted in one more run to close in on Stout 6-5 with two innings to go, but the Pioneers were unable to close the gap.
On the mound in game one, Michael Greco (0-2) pitched five innings and struck out four and walked two while allowing seven hits and five runs. Brady Hoppert finished the final four innings and struck out two while surrendering four hits and two runs. Jace Baumann (1-1) took the win in game one and struck out four, walked two and allowed seven hits and five runs in seven innings pitched.
In game two, UW-Stout pulled ahead off a six-run 8th inning, but the Pioneers and Blue Devils remained tied 5-5 going into the 7th inning. Brady Katterhagen's double scored the final two of four runs in the 5th tied the game, but UW-Stout finished the day with a big inning of their own to secure the team's second win of the day. Katterhagen went 2-4 in the second game tabbing two RBI while Kelso went 3-5 with one run scored in the final game of the day. Kelso and Jake Wegner each snagged two stolen bases in game two while Grant Mullins tallied the team's fifth stolen base of the second game.
Parker Heidorf struck out five and walked one while offering up eight hits and five runs (three earned) while on the mound for the first six innings. Jake Schneider (0-1) suffered the loss while Quintin Gonzalez (1-0) took the win, striking out two, walking two and surrendering 1 hit in two innings pitched.
The Pioneers and Blue Devils will pick back up where they left it on Tuesday, March 29 for the second doubleheader starting at noon at Woodside Sports Complex.
