RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) – UW-River Falls Softball (14-20-1 overall, 5-8-1 WIAC) swept the Pioneers of UW-Platteville (4-26 overall, 1-13 WIAC) in their final WIAC doubleheader of the season.
With the sweep the Falcons narrowly missed the WIAC Tournament as they finished one spot out of the tournament. The Falcons finished 6th overall in the WIAC regular season standings.
GAME 1: UW-RIVER FALLS 11 UW-PLATTEVILLE 0
Stepping into the circle for the Falcons of UW-River Falls was Michelle LaCasse. LaCasse was stellar over five innings, as she allowed no runs on just two hits. LaCasse also walked two Pioneer batters while adding seven strikeouts. LaCasse picked up her eighth win of the season.
Taking the loss for the Pioneers in game one was Jordan Schmike who allowed seven runs on six hits in just three innings of work. Schmike is now 0-5 on the season. Replacing Schmike and pitching the final inning was Dakota Stout. Stout allowed four runs on just two hits and also allowed two walks. The Pioneer pitching staff was not able to register a single strikeout in game one.
The Falcons got off to a hot start in the bottom of the first inning when Aiyana Ledwein homered. This homerun was Ledwein's first homerun of the season. Ali Murray followed up Ledwein by reaching safely on an error by the third baseman. Murray wouldn't be at first for long as Katie Thompson would make her way to the plate just two batters later. Thompson would knock her fifth homerun out of the park to push the score to 3-0 Falcons at the end of the first inning.
The bottom of the third inning would bring the Falcons much success as they put four runs on the board. To start off the inning Abby Veloske would reach safely on an error by the third baseman. Veloske was advanced to second on Ledwein's single to the pitcher. Murray would single and advance to second on the throw attempt to put out Veloske at home which was unsuccessful for the Pioneers, also advancing on the play was Ledwein who reached third. Hannah Zurn was the next Falcon to step up to the plate and she doubled to center field and drove in Murray and Ledwein. Zurn then stole third and was brought in on Thompson's single to center. Thompson's run scoring single pushed the games score to 7-0 Falcons.
UW-River Falls struck for another four runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sarah Sorenson started the inning off with a walk and was drove in on Veloske's double to left field. Veloske advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ledwein. Ali Murray would walk and advance to second on a wild pitch. Driving in Murray was Zurn who doubled to right field. Zurn advanced to third on the second passed ball of the inning by the Pioneer catcher. Zurn was brought in when Katie Thompson grounded out to the shortstop. After four innings the Falcons were ahead by a tally of 11-0.
Michelle LaCasse would finish the game in the circle in the top of the fifth inning to allow the Falcons to pick up the win on the run rule.
GAME 2: UW-RIVER FALLS 10 UW-PLATTEVILLE 5
Michelle LaCasse started the game in the circle for the Falcons and was replaced by Maddie Studnicka. LaCasse finished the game however, as she came back in to pitch the final frame. In total LaCasse pitched three full innings and one third of an inning. LaCasse allowed three runs on five hits and also added four strikeouts. Studnicka picked up the win and went three and two thirds innings while allowing two runs on just three hits. Studnicka also added a strikeout.
Pitching five and one third of an inning for the Pioneers and taking the loss in game two was Jessica Butzen. Butzen allowed ten runs on twelve hits while walking three and also adding three strikeouts. Brooke Posey replaced Butzen with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Posey allowed no runs and no hits.
Starting off the first inning for the Falcons was Abby Veloske. Veloske singled to the shortstop and was advanced to second on Ali Murray's single to left field. Both runners were brought in two batters later as Katie Thompson hit her second homerun of the day and her sixth on the season. At the end of the first inning the score was 3-0 in favor of the Falcons.
UW-Platteville scored their first run of the day when Brooke Posey scored in the top of the second inning.
The Pioneers tied the game in the top of the third inning when Brooke Posey doubled for the second time in the game. Posey's double brought in both Stout and Woodford to even up the score at the end of the top half of the third inning.
Scoring would remain the same until the Falcons half of the fifth inning. Aiyana Ledwein singled to left field and was brought in as Ali Murray homered. This homerun was Murray's first of the season. At the end of five full innings the score was 5-3 in favor of the hometown Falcons.
The visiting Pioneers tied things up in the top of the sixth inning when both Schultz and Treml scored to even up the score for the second time in the game.
The Falcons exploded for five runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. It all started when Thompson doubled to center field. Shannon Borchardt then homered to drive in Thompson and push the score to 7-5 Falcons. This was Borchardt's fifth homerun of the season. Mady Bunnell walked and Ali Krohn was sent in to run for the Falcon catcher. Maddie Studnicka singled to left field and advanced Krohn to second. Sorensen singled to left, advancing both runners an additional base. Abby Veloske walked with the bases loaded to push across the third run of the inning for the Falcons as Krohn came across to score. Aiyana Ledwein came up with a big hit as she doubled to left field, which allowed Sorensen and Studnicka to score to push the tally to 10-5 Falcons at the end of the sixth inning.
LaCasse would shut the door on the Pioneer's season as she got the final three outs to end the game and give the Falcons the sweep.
The Falcons finish up their first season under Head Coach Amber Dohlman on Tuesday, May 3rd when they take on Hamline University in a doubleheader with first pitch of game one slated to take place at around 3:30 P.M.
