Pioneers Picked Sixth In WIAC Preseason Poll

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville baseball team was picked to finish sixth in the conference, according to the 2024 WIAC Preseason Poll conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

UW-La Crosse, who won the WIAC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division III World Series last year, was chosen to finish atop the conference. UW-Stevens Point was pegged to place second after claiming the conference regular-season crown last year, while UW-Whitewater rounded out the top three.

Head Coach Chad Harris returns for his sixth season at the helm after posting a 10-25 record last season, including a 7-17 mark in WIAC play.

Twenty-seven letterwinners return for the UW-Platteville, highlighted by junior Justin Fago, who was named to the All-WIAC team in 2023. Fago was a force in the middle of the Pioneers lineup, hitting .379 with five home runs and a team-high 26 RBI. Other key position players returning include senior infielder Wyatt Molitor and junior outfield Chris Tsouras. Molitor hit .263 across 24 games played, while Tsouras was hitting .341 with 10 RBI across 11 games before an injury derailed his sophomore season.

On the mound, juniors Brady Hoppert and Isaac Bixby return after each made nine starts a year ago. Hoppert's best start came in a complete-game win over Spalding, while Bixby allowed one unearned run with 10 strikeouts in a complete-game win over UW-Eau Claire last April. Senior Brandon Molldrem, who made six starts last season, is also back, giving the Pioneers three returners with starting experience.

The Pioneers 2024 season begins in St. Louis, Missouri with games against Greenville, Illinois Wesleyan, and Fontbonne on February 23 and 24. The team then heads to Pensacola, Florida to play six games over spring break before taking on Carroll (Wis.) in a doubleheader on March 23. Conference play begins on March 29 at UW-La Crosse with the home opener coming on Saturday, April 6 against UW-Stout.

The full WIAC baseball preseason release can be found HERE.