Box Score Menomonie, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse softball team extended its 2014 season with a 6-1 victory over UW-Platteville Friday afternoon in an elimination game at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament at UW-Stout's Alumni Field.  UW-L improves to 22-12 on the season and will play Saturday, May 3 starting at 2 p.m. versus an opponent to be determined.  UW-Platteville finishes its season at 16-25.

UW-L, the tournament's fifth-seed, took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning Friday afternoon.  Katie Fink opened the inning with a single and advanced to second on Alecia Faber's bunt single.  Megan Nelson then drew a walk to load the bases.  Lindsey Sheehen grounded into a double play to force Fink out on the play, but Faber and Nelson scored as Emilie Wiltzius reached on a UW-Platteville error.

The Eagles scored unearned runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 4-0 lead.  Fink reached on an error to start the third inning and went to second on Faber's sacrifice bun.  Nelson and Sheehan drew walks to load the bases.  Wiltzius followed with a sacrifice fly to knock in Fink.  In the bottom of the fourth, Kallie Krech singled with one out and moved to third on Emily Holldorf single and a UW-Platteville error.  Krech scored on Fink's sacrifice bunt to make it 4-0.

UW-Platteville cut the lead to 4-1 in the top of the fifth as Katie Huss scored on Ellyn Goerdt's single.  UW-L finished the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Mary Kate Pryor singled to open the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Erin Maletzke.  Krech's sacrifice bunt moved Maletzke to second base. Pinch-hitter Katrina O'Keefe singled to score Maletzke with O'Keefe advancing to second on the play.  Fink followed with an RBI double to score O'Keefe.

Jessie Carignan (8-2) earned the victory for UW-L, pitching 4.0 innings, allowing three hits, one run and two walks with two strikeouts.  Heather Grelle picked up her first save, going 3.0 innings, allowing three hits with one strikeout.  Faber finished 2-for-3 for the Eagles while Fink had two RBI.  Fink, Pryor, Krech, Holldorf and O'Keefe each had one hit.

Jess Butzen (8-13) suffered the loss for UW-Platteville, going 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, six runs (two earned) and five walks with two strikeouts. Becca Lowe and Goerdt each went 2-for-4 for the Pioneers.

UW-L returns to action Saturday, May 3 starting at 2 p.m. at Alumni Field.  UW-L's opponent will be determined after games are played at 10 a.m. and noon.