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University of Wisconsin-Superior Athletics

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Wisconsin-Superior
Yellowjackets
Megan Nelson
Jade Jensen

Softball

Platteville Downs Yellowjackets

Megan Nelson had five hits for the Yellowjackets Saturday against Platteville.
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday the Yellowjacket softball team opened the home portion of its 2015 schedule on a picturesque day in Superior. Just 24 hours later the 70-degree temperatures gave way to temps in the low 40s with an unforgiving wind howling off of Lake Superior.

The change in climate didn't do anything to change the Yellowjackets' fortunes, however, as they lost a pair of games to UW-Platteville at Liebaert Field.

Platteville 10, Yellowjackets 6

The teams were tied at 6-6 in after five innings, but a big seventh inning by the Pioneers put the Yellowjackets away, as the visitors earned the 10-6 victory.

Up one run heading into the final inning, Katie Huss singled home an insurance run before a bases loaded error with two outs by the Yellowjackets allowed two more runs to score, providing Platteville with a four-run cushion. The Yellowjackets did rally, loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but pinch hitter Nichole Weigman was retired on a popup, ending the game.

The Yellowjackets opened up a 3-0 lead in the first inning. With one out and runners on the corners, Megan Nelson (Carlton, Minn./Carlton) doubled to score two. Nelson then came around to score on a Ciarra Taipale (Duluth, Minn.) single in the big opening frame for the Yellowjackets.

Platteville answered, using four hits and a Yellowjacket error in the top of the second to manufacture four runs and take a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the third the Yellowjackets tied it. Nelson singled with one out and came around to score on a Sally Linzmeier (Valders, Wis./Valders) double, evening the game at 4-4.

Platteville again pulled ahead, scoring single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. But once again the Yellowjackets tied it. With one out Kristen Haider (Dassel, Minn./Dassel-Cokato) singled and went to second on a passed ball. Nelson's third hit of the game put runners on the corners, and the Yellowjackets pulled to within one when Haider and Nelson executed a text book double steal. An error put Nelson on third and Taipale drove her home, tying the game 6-6.

The tie didn't last, however, as Platteville scored the game-winning run in the sixth before pulling away in the seventh.

Nelson had a big game at the plate for the Yellowjackets, going 4-for-4 and scoring three times while driving in two runs. Taipale also had a two-hit game as the Yellowjackets had ten in the game.

Sarah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld) got the start and took the loss for the Yellowjackets, falling to 12-9 on the year. She went 6.1 innings and gave up nine runs (five earned) on 11 hits. She walked two and struck out two. Katie White (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Peguot Lakes) pitched the rest of the way, allowing one unearned run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning. She walked one and struck out one.

Lisa Karau, Haley Salazar, Shannon Books, and Huss paced the 12-hit attack for Platteville, each picking up a pair of hits in the game.

Platteville 22, Yellowjackets 5

As tight as the second game was, the second game was anything but, as Platteville enjoyed a pair of monster innings and routed the Yellowjackets 22-5.

After scoring once in the first inning on an RBI single from Salazar, Platteville exploded in the second. The Pioneers had eight hits in the inning and sent 19 batters to the plate, scoring 14 times to blow the game open. Books, Salazar, Chelsey Walker, and Carly Rote all drove in two runs in the inning.

If the good news was the second inning was over, the bad news was that Platteville would enjoy another big inning in the third. Kelsie Endres connected for a two-run home run to get the scoring started. When the dust settled the Pioneers sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven more times, building the lead to 22-0.

The Yellowjackets were finally able to break through in the bottom of the third. White reached on an error and Katie Wilke (Baraboo, Wis./Baraboo) followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Kari Shipman (Frazee, Minn.) then singled to bring home White with the first Yellowjacket run of the game. Two hitters later another run scored on a Misco ground out. Nelson then drove in a third run to make it 22-3.

With one out in the fifth Haider and Nelson had back-to-back singles to put two runners on. Taipale had the third straight hit, plating the fourth Yellowjacket run. Nelson then scored the fifth and final run of the game for the Yellowjackets, coming home on a fielder's choice.

Nelson had another good game at the plate, going 2-for-3, finishing the day 5-for-6. Haider and Linzmeier also had two hits for the Yellowjackets, who had 10 in the game.

Platteville got at least one hit from eight of nine starters and finished the game with 14 hits. Crystal Rote had three hits, while Karau, Salazer, Books and Endres had two each.

White started in the circle for the Yellowjackets and pitched four innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits. Weigman faced nine hitters in the second without recording an out. She allowed eight runs (two earned) on just two hits, but had five walks. Hendrickson pitched a third of an inning and Taipale threw two-thirds of an inning.

Defense was a tough subject for the Yellowjackets on this day, as they finished with five errors in each game.

The Yellowjackets (15-13, 1-9 WIAC) will hit the road for their final two road games of the season, traveling to UW-Eau Claire for a doubleheader Wednesday, April 22. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
 
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Players Mentioned

Kristen Haider

#7 Kristen Haider

IF
5' 4"
Senior
R/R
Sarah Hendrickson

#21 Sarah Hendrickson

P/IF
5' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
Sally Linzmeier

#3 Sally Linzmeier

OF
5' 7"
Junior
R/R
Megan Nelson

#13 Megan Nelson

IF
5' 7"
Junior
R/R
Katie Wilke

#8 Katie Wilke

OF
5' 5"
Junior
R/R
Kari Shipman

#2 Kari Shipman

OF
5' 6"
Junior
Ciarra Stavang

#9 Ciarra Stavang

OF
5' 7"
Freshman
Katie White

#5 Katie White

IF
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kristen Haider

#7 Kristen Haider

5' 4"
Senior
R/R
IF
Sarah Hendrickson

#21 Sarah Hendrickson

5' 2"
Sophomore
R/R
P/IF
Sally Linzmeier

#3 Sally Linzmeier

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
OF
Megan Nelson

#13 Megan Nelson

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
IF
Katie Wilke

#8 Katie Wilke

5' 5"
Junior
R/R
OF
Kari Shipman

#2 Kari Shipman

5' 6"
Junior
OF
Ciarra Stavang

#9 Ciarra Stavang

5' 7"
Freshman
OF
Katie White

#5 Katie White

5' 9"
Freshman
IF