UW-La Crosse spoiled a record-tying day by Ross Bennett and dealt UW-Platteville's playoff hopes a huge blow by sweeping the Pioneers 13-12 and 12-1 Wednesday in La Crosse.
The Eagles improved their hold of fourth place in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 9-7 record, while the Pioneers slipped to 5-10. The top four teams qualify for the WIAC playoffs.
Bennett tied a UWP record with five hits in the wild 11-inning opener. Both teams scored two runs in the 10th inning, and the Eagles won it in the 11th when Steve Ehms scored on a two-out throwing error.
Mike Flood drew a bases-loaded walk, and Gabe Neitzel hit a sacrifice fly for the Pioneer runs in the 10th. Mike Schmidt's two-out RBI single tied the game in the bottom of the 10.
Bennett's five hits were part of an 18-hit attack. Alex Siehoff had four hits, while four other players had two hits apiece. The only other players in school history to record five hits were Brian Potter and Matt Northey, both in a 1995 game against Evangelical College.
The dispirited Pioneers dropped the nightcap 12-1 in a game ended after seven innings due to the 10-run differential rule. The Eagles built a 9-0 lead after three innings, improving to 14-15 overall. Mike Flood and Bennett each had two hits for the Pioneers (12-14 overall).
UWP returns to action Saturday and Sunday for doubleheaders vs. UW-Oshkosh. Both noon doubleheaders are at Warner Park on Madison's north side, located on Northport Drive, off Hwy. 113.
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