One game after nearly being no-hit, the UW-Platteville softball team exploded for a 16-0 win over Hilbert College (N.Y.) Monday afternoon in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The Pioneers knocked out 18 hits, including a home run by Nikki Hansen and a three-run double by Carley Adams, in rolling to their first win of the year. Becky Swanson and Tera Burr each had three hits with Burr driving home three runs, and Swanson doubling twice.
The offensive explosion was more than enough for freshman Brittani Claus, making her collegiate debut on the mound. The Davenport (Iowa) North product allowed just three hits while striking out five in five innings. She yielded two first-inning hits and then not another until the fourth, and all three hits were singles. The Pioneers scored seven in the second inning and five more in the third.
The Pioneers fell 3-2 in eight innings to St. Joseph's (N.Y.) and red-hot pitcher Jennifer Martinez, who struck out 19 batters. Martinez had a perfect game until two outs in the seventh inning, when Hansen walked and freshman Katie Sutter blasted her second home run in two days. St. Joseph's won the game in the eighth on Elyse Quirk's RBI single. Maggie Medlicott took the loss, despite striking out eight batters.
The 1-2 Pioneers continue the Snowbird games Tuesday, facing Baruch (N.Y.) and Mitchell (Conn.).
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