UW-Platteville earned the earliest victory in both school and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history, beating the University of Ozarks 7-3 in the second game of a doubleheader Friday.
The host Eagles won the first game 2-1 in Clarksville, Ark.
The Pioneers jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings in the second game and went on to post the 7-3 win. Nick Pepper and Brandon Ihm each had three hits for the Pioneers, with Pepper recording RBIs in the first and third innings. Scott Dybevik tripled home the first run, and was driven in by Pepper's double. Matt Huckstep knocked in three runs in the game as well.
Freshman Bill Bulaga, from Crystal Lake, Ill., pitched the first five innings to win his collegiate debut. Corey Connolly, Kyle Brudos and Bryan Aspenson pitched scoreless relief innings.
In the opener, the Eagles' Caleb Hilton singled home the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. That spoiled a five-hitter by Pioneer pitchers Ryan Slagth, Joe Lange and Justin Athey. Nick Aplin scored the only run for the Pioneers.
Ozarks is now 4-4 on the young season. The Pioneers continue their early-game schedule next weekend playing at Westminster (Mo.) and also facing Rockford. The Pioneers were originally supposed to play Westminster in Arkansas Saturday, but dire weather predictions kept Westminster from making the trip. Instead, the Pioneers played Ozarks in the doubleheader Friday.
Related Links