MENOMONIE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team dropped two close conference games to UW-Stout on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Pioneers fell 7-5 in game one and 2-1 in game two.
Having not played a game in 14 days due to weather and field conditions, it was not surprising that the Pioneers (11-12, 3-3 WIAC) had to brush off some dust. The Blue Devils (12-18, 2-6 WIAC) took an early 3-0 lead after one inning to start the day. UW-Platteville got back on track and added two runs in the 3rd inning to narrow the Blue Devils' advantage to one.
The Pioneers added one run in each of the next three innings, but the early lead would prove too much to overcome.
Jordan Johnson led the way in game one for the Pioneers, going 3-5 with one RBI and one run. A crew of Pioneers took turns in the circle in the first game and Claire Bakkestuen finished the final 2.1 innings striking out six and walking one while allowing two hits and one earned run.
Bakkestuen (4-4) finished the day in the circle and pitched a complete second game. The Pioneer added six more strikeouts and walked four batters while surrendering seven hits and two earned runs.
In contrast to the early runs scored in game one, game two remained tied 0-0 going into the bottom of the 4thinning. The Blue Devils put one run on the board in the 4th and 5th frames off a double and homerun. Johnson singled to bat in one run in the 7th but UW-Stout got the third out before the tying run could make it home.
Riley Kelsch finished game two 2-3 after tallying two RBI in the first game of the day.
The Pioneers will return to action on Tuesday, April 26 when they travel to UW-Stevens Point for two make-up games at 2 and 4 p.m.
