Pioneers looking to build off strong 2019 season

PLATTEVILLE, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball program returned to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament for the first time since 2010 in Chad Harris' first season as head coach.  The Pioneers finished with an 20-21 record, and won a school-record 14 WIAC victories.  Harris returns for his second season along with four All-WIAC performers looking to return to the WIAC tournament in consecutive years for the first time in school history.

Harris and the Pioneers returns six starters in the field including first team All-WIAC junior outfielder Jonathan Kelso.  Kelso finished fourth in the WIAC in hitting with a .391 average.  "The top of our lineup has a chance to be very exciting," Harris said.  "Jonathan, Josh (Moses) and Ben (Espinoza) can change the feeling of an inning in a heartbeat."   Senior Josh Moses is a two-time first team all-conference performer that finished eighth in the WIAC in hitting with a .364 average.

In total, the Pioneers return four all-conference performers.  "We know we have talent on our squad who have proven they can hang with anyone in the WIAC," Harris said.  "We will simply ask them to continue to be themselves and not to feel like they have to do it all.  We just want them to show up every day and play to the best of their ability, understanding our success doesn't just fall on their backs."

Though rain hindered most of the fall season, Harris was excited to have the time on the field with his team.  Harris was not hired till the conclusion of the fall season in 2018.  "It was nice being able to have a fall with the guys this year," Harris said.  "We were able to accomplish a lot of positive things along with getting our young players involved."

College of DuPage transfer Dan Opem will be relied on to provide protection for the lineup.  He hit .418 in 23 games at catcher. "Dan has the chance to make some noise in our conference," Harris said.  "Freshmen Sam Hernandez, Zach Lieb, Jacob Berendes, Grant Mullins, Mitchell McLaughlin and Braeden Verbsky are just a few of the freshman we are extremely excited to watch get their feet wet at this level.  We believe these are names which could be heard around the WIAC for years."

The Pioneers will need to replace over 200 innings on the mound as all four conference starters graduated in the spring.  "We don't view it has a hindrance in replacing the innings we lost," Harris said.  "We view it as tons of opportunities for guys who have been waiting for their turn and for freshmen to leave their mark on the program."

The Pioneers return three pitchers that registered multiple starts in 2020.  Seniors Edwin Calvillo and Michael Greco combined to make six starts, while sophomore Nate Jennings started two.  Junior Shane Nolan and sophomore Jared Carney each started one game in 2020.

The Pioneers will open the 2020 season when they travel to Minneapolis to face Bethel University on March, 3 at 10 a.m.  The double header will be held in the US Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings.  Following the trip to Minneapolis, the Pioneers will travel to Memphis, Tennessee to face Eureka in pair of weekend double headers.

The Pioneers will debut at home for the first time in 2020 on March 19 when St. Scholastica visits for a 3 p.m. contest.  The Pioneers will open WIAC play with eight straight at home.  UW-Stevens Point visits March, 28 and 29 for noon starts while UW-La Crosse visits the following weekend.

The Pioneers will travel to league favorite UW-Whitewater for a pair of games on April, 14 and return to face the Warhawks on April, 29. 

The Pioneers will honor the seniors in the program on May 2, when they play a split double header.  Coe College and the Pioneers will play at 10 a.m. and then take on St. Norbert at 1 p.m.  The Pioneers will close the regular season on May 3 when they take on St. Norbert at 1 p.m.

"We have a great mix of returning, experienced players and young talent," Harris said.  They are a fun group to be around and have been putting in the work both in practice and on the their own.  After getting a taste of success last season, I can tell they are hungry for more.  We are excited to get the season going and to see where that journey leads."

The Pioneers are picked to finish fourth in the WIAC by the conference head coaches and sports information directors.  Follow along all season at letsgopioneers.com.  For full schedule click this link.