RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls baseball team opened its WIAC series against UW-Platteville on Friday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader against the Pioneers at First National Bank of River Falls Field.
UWRF's overall record moves to 7-9 and 1-5 in the WIAC. The Falcons and Pioneers play again tomorrow with a 12 p.m. first pitch in game one.
UW-River Falls 3, UW-Platteville 0
The Falcons opened the weekend with their first shutout victory of the season, led by strong start by pitcher
Shaun Gavin, who pitched seven scoreless innings en route to the Pioneers being shut out for just the second time this season.
UWRF broke through in the fourth inning when Tanner Hraby connected on a solo home run to left field to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead, his second of the season. River Falls added another run in the fifth, taking advantage of a Platteville miscue and a double play ball that allowed Jeffrey Freund to score and make it 2-0.
The Falcons added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Andrew Athmann led off the frame with a double and later came around to score on a RBI single from Freund, extending the lead to 3-0.
On the mound, Gavin struck out five batters to earn the win, improving his record to 3-1 on the season.
Evan Senobe handled the final two innings, allowing just one hit while striking out five to secure his first career save.
Hraby led the Falcons at the plate with three hits, while Freund added two hits and two RBIs. Athmann also contributed with a double and a run scored as River Falls finished with eight hits.
UW-Platteville 12, UW-River Falls 0 (7 Inn.)
The Pioneers flipped the script in game two led by a seven inning shutout by pitcher Pierce Nelson.
The UW-Platteville offense scored 12 runs off 15 hits, paced by a strong start including a five-run second inning, jumping out to a eight-run lead after four innings.
Kaleb Zabielski broke up Nelson's potential no hitter in the seventh inning with a double, UWRF's lone hit of the game.
