Softball Wins in Extra Innings, Lose to Darkness
Apr 10, 2017
BOX SCORE vs. UW-P Game #1 (10 innings)
BOX SCORE vs. UW-P Game #2 (called for darkness at bottom of 7th, reverts back to 6th inning)
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque outlasted the UW-Platteville Pioneers in the opening game, winning the marathon contest 9-8 in 10 innings after starting late due to rain and thunder in the area. The two teams would begin game two at 5:57 p.m. and it proved to be another exciting game which was lost to darkness at 7:54 p.m. with UD trailing 8-9 in bottom of the seventh inning. UD had runners at first and third with just one out when umpires met and stopped the progress of the game. The stoppage then reverted back to the last full inning, the sixth with UW-P leading 6-4.
UD led early 3-2 before UW-P scored a run in the fifth inning to knot the game at 3-3. The next four innings would be scoreless before the Pioneers scored five runs in the top of the 10th. UD once again battled and would capture the game by scoring six runs in the bottom of the 10th. The Spartans had nine runs off 14 hits and committed one error. UW-P scored eight runs on nine hits and committed two errrors.
Ellie Schneider and Taylor Allard would both finish hitting 3-5 at the plate. The pair would join Brandy Heraty and Nikki Blum with a double in the win. Taylor Blair started on the mound and would return to regain the lead and earn the victory with four strike outs.
Game two UW-P grabbed early lead 1-0 after one inning. UD scored three runs in the secon to take their first lead of the afternoon 3-1 after second inning. The Pioneers added two runs in the fourth and fifth innings and one in the sixth to lead 6-4. UW-P scored three runs in the top of the seventh with darkenss closing fast. UD rallied once again to close the gap 8-9 with runners at first and third with just one out before game was called as the field was nearly enveloped by total darkness as the full moon rose out of the east.
Reverting back to last full inning, the sixth, the Pioneers would take the game 6-4. UW-P scored six runs off eight hits and committed one error. UD scored four runs off 12 hits and committed no errors. Blum, Allard, Kayleigh Leddy, and Gabby Marchese would all finish with two hits. Taylor Blair took the loss on the mound after allowing five earned runs.
The Spartans 10-18 overall will return on Thursday, April 13 to host the Cornell College Rams at 3:00 p.m. in a non-conference doubleheader.
