This Week in Pioneer Athletics

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville athletic teams get closer to postseason competition this week, with the Pioneers baseball and softball teams ready for a week of several games each. UW-Platteville's track and field team heads to the final meet before conference, while women's golf competes at the Viking Invitational.

Softball Set for Busy Week

The Pioneers softball team will play 10 games across seven days this week, starting with a road doubleheader against UW-Stevens Point on Monday. UW-Platteville is then home for the remainder of the week with doubleheaders against UW-Whitewater (Tuesday), Augustana (Thursday), UW-Eau Claire (Saturday), and Simpson (Sunday).

The Pointers were 22^nd on the most recent NFCA Top 25 and are second in the WIAC at 23-3 overall and 3-1 in conference play. UW-Stevens Point boasts the second-best team ERA in the conference at 1.37, highlighted by Morgan Harwood's conference-leading 0.47 ERA across 59.1 innings.

The Vikings have won two straight and enter the week at 18-10 overall. Nadia Ranieri is hitting .506 across 77 at-bats this season with seven doubles and a team-high 20 runs scored. She is also the team's top pitcher with a 1.68 ERA across 83.1 innings pitched.

The Blugolds have dropped five straight and are 13-13 overall and 2-4 in the WIAC this season. Kenna Stuns is fourth in the conference with a .430 batting average and is third in runs scored at 31.

The Storm have lost six in a row to sit at 24-12 overall on the year. Alexis Ehlers leads the team with seven home runs and 42 RBI, while Ashlyn Steen is batting a team-high .434 with 29 stolen bases.

Baseball Hosts UW-Whitewater Wednesday

The Pioneers baseball team will play seven games this week, starting with a road contest against Coe on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. UW-Platteville then returns home to play two games against UW-Whitewater at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Wednesday before traveling to UW-Eau Claire for a four-game series on Saturday and Sunday.

The Kohawks enter the week at 20-12 overall and had won 10 in a row before dropping a couple games to Loras on Saturday. Jake Brosius leads the team with a .403 batting average and five home runs, while Reid Rausch has driven in a team-high 36 RBI.

The Warhawks, ranked sixth in the most recent D3baseball.com poll, sit atop the WIAC at 26-5 overall and 16-2 in conference play. UW-Whitewater is the top offensive team in the WIAC and have four players hitting over .400 on the year, including Eli Frank (.447).

The Blugolds are at the bottom of the WIAC standings at 8-22 overall and 2-14 in conference. Johns Walter is the top offensive player for UW-Eau Claire with a .358 batting average and six home runs and 20 RBI.

Track and Field Wraps Up Regular Season Competition this Weekend

With just under two weeks until the WIAC Outdoor Championships, the Pioneers track and field teams will compete at the Drake Relays and Drake Alternatives this upcoming weekend. UW-Platteville will send some athletes to the two-day Drake Relays on Friday and Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa, while others head to the Drake Alternative on Friday hosted by UW-Whitewater.

Women's Golf Heads to Viking Invitational

The Pioneers women's golf team continues spring competition this weekend when it heads to the two-day Viking Invitational hosted by Augustana (Ill.) on Friday and Saturday. The invite will take place at the Highland Springs Golf Course in Rock Island, Illinois.