PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team (24-14, 7-7) split Saturday's doubleheader with UW-La Crosse (22-17, 7-7) at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex. In extra innings, the Eagles captured the first win of the day with a 9-7 decision in 11 innings while the Pioneers took the second game 6-4.
In game one, the Eagles scored four runs in the top of the third to take a commanding 4-0 lead, but UW-Platteville flipped the script in the bottom of the frame, scoring five times for a one-run advantage. With bases loaded, an RBI walk scored the first run wihile the next three scored on singles by seniors Felicia Teubert and Jordan Johnson. Freshman Delaney Johnson grounded out to shortstop to drive in the fifth run.
The Eagles took back the lead in the fifth, but Jordan Johnson locked the game 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth on a single to right field. The score stayed at sixes until both teams scored one run in the 10th, but the Pioneers were unable to tie the game for a fourth time in the 11th inning after UW-La Crosse scored another two runs.
Senior Taylor Roughen pitched the first three innings, striking out two, walking one and allowing five hits and four runs. Freshman Bentley Cutts relieved Roughen and tallied five strikeouts, one walk while giving up three hits and two runs across two innings. Freshman Morgan Erickson (9-5) suffered the loss and pitched six innings, striking out three, walking none and allowing five hits and three runs.
In the next game, UW-La Crosse scored first with a solo home run in the second inning. The Pioneers tied the game in the bottom of the same inning on a wild pitch and then junior Caitlin Giacomo drove in a second run on a single to left. The Eagles reclaimed the lead in the top of the third, but Teubert tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third, batting in one run on a single to center field.
The fourth inning saw UW-La Crosse score once, but the Pioneers scored twice as sophomore Allison Peters' RBI single was followed up with another RBI walk. Leading 5-4, Roughen's sacrifice fly stretched UW-Platteville's lead to 6-4.
Cutts started in the circle in game two and struck out three, walked none and surrendered four hits and three runs across two innings. Sophomore Mia Savage (2-0) was awarded the win, striking out two, walking none and allowing four hits across four innings pitched.
With the win, the Pioneers locked in a spot in the WIAC Tournament which starts next Friday, May 9.
