Returning from an impressive 9-5 spring break trip, the softball team dropped a pair of losses in a doubleheader in their home series opener. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team began their home play against the Beloit College Buccaneers on April 1 and lost both games, 4-3 and 9-8.
The first score of the evening came in the bottom of the third when senior left fielder MJ Patten was able to score on an error made by a Buccaneer first baseman. Patten was the most consistent batter of the day, going 4-7, scoring five runs and adding one RBI. She also currently leads the team with a batting average of .482 (27-56) and accumulated a team-high in runs scored (19) and stolen bases (14). Even with all the success she has been having, the Loves Park, Ill. native is not satisfied with the results of the series.
“I would feel better if we won,” Patten said. “This one hurts but it was cool to be out here in beautiful weather playing the game we love.”
Moments later, junior outfielder from McConnell, Ill., Carley Rote was able to score again on a wild pitch. Rote stressed that the team is not playing to their potential and lacks enthusiasm and focus at the plate.
“We need to be more confident going up to the box and our energy level needs to go up to a higher point,” Rote said.
Beloit answered in the top of the fourth with two runs and was able to hold off Platteville. The fifth and sixth innings were scoreless, sending the game into the seventh tied 2-2. Beloit started the seventh off with a two-run homer putting the score at 4-2 when Platteville took over the second half of the inning. Patten started things off by getting on base and Rote followed with an RBI double, but the women were unable to provide any more runs and the final score of the first game was 4-3.
The second game brought in a higher score with Beloit adding at least one score in every inning of the game. Platteville was able to keep up through the second inning with the score at 2-2. In the third, the Buccaneers put two more on the board but Platteville was not able to answer.
Beloit and Platteville each put up one run in the fourth and fifth innings making the score 6-4 going into the sixth inning. During the top of the sixth Beloit brought in two more runs, but Platteville answered with a huge inning to crack the 8-4 deficit.
In the bottom of the sixth, Patten stepped up to bat with the bases loaded, Crystal Rote on first, LaRissa O’Kimosh on second and Kellsey Beyer on first. She hit a single to the shortstop allowing Rote to score and keep the bases loaded. Rote drove O’Kimosh home on a fielder’s choice as Patten and Beyer moved to second and third. Chelsey Walker reached first on a passed ball that allowed both Patten and Beyer to score. The inning ended with two strikeouts and a tie game 8-8.
“[The sixth] inning was the only inning we hit the ball hard and made things happen,” Coach Lee Negrelli said. “Hitting is contagious and unfortunately it was only one inning it happened in.”
Beloit answered the eventful sixth inning with a score in the top of the seventh and held Platteville scoreless in the second half of the inning to take the second game, 9-8.
The team was disappointed in the endings of their first home series but they know there are things the team needs to work on. At the end of the game Negrelli spoke with the team and said they need to focus on their fundamental skills and maintain consistent quality play.
The women also dropped a pair of games against Wartburg College on April 2 in Waverly, Iowa, 6-1 and 5-0. They are currently 9-9 on the season and 0-4 since returning from spring break. They travelled to UW-Oshkosh to compete against the Titans with results unavailable before publication.