WINTER HAVEN, FLA.  – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team defeated both opponents in the first day of the team's spring break Florida trip. The Pioneers (5-1) first shutout Minnesota-Morris (3-12) 5-0 before defeating Hamilton (6-4) 7-6 in game two. 

Senior Claire Bakkestuen and sophomore Taylor Roughen combined in the circle for the 5-0 shutout. Bakkestuen pitched the first six innings, striking out seven, walking one and surrendering just three hits. Roughen added two more strikeouts in the seventh inning to close out the game. 

Both teams remained scoreless until senior Payton Marvin scored on a SAC fly by Bakkestuen in the fifth. Overall, UW-Platteville registered 14 hits with freshman Melissa Dietz going 4-4 at the plate.  

In game two, back-to-back homeruns in the third by Bakkestuen and Dietz gave UW-Platteville its first lead of the game.  The Pioneers added another two in the fourth and held a 5-1 lead going into the fifth inning. Not ready to surrender, Hamilton scored four in the fifth to tie the game. 

Freshman Greta Volkening scored on a SAC fly in the bottom of the fifth to reclaim the lead and another homerun by Dietz in the sixth held off Hamilton's attempt at a comeback. 

Roughen started the game in the circle for the Pioneers and struck out four while allowing seven hits and four earned runs. Freshman Carlie Jo Brownlee relieved Roughen after 4.1 innings and received the win while tallying two strikeouts, walking one, and surrendering four hits. 

Overall, the Pioneers registered nine hits and committed three errors in the contest. Dietz's performance brought her showing on the day at the plate to 6-7, including two homeruns, two RBI and one double. 

The Pioneers will continue their Florida campaign on Monday with games against Luther at  10:30 a.m. CST and Bates at 2 p.m.