UW-Platteville 2021 Softball News
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – For the 21st consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers have received the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) All-Academic Award. The award is presented to member institutions where the 2020-21 academic year grade point average (GPA) of the student-athletes is equal to or greater than the GPA of the institution’s overall student body. The 21-year steak is the longest consecutive streak in the conference.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announced Monday (July 19) that home Pioneer athletic events will be at full capacity for the 2021 fall season. After nearly 18 months of empty or near-empty facilities, Pioneer Athletics is excited to welcome back fans following the recent campus approval.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Platteville Director of Athletics and Recreation and Assistant Chancellor for Sports Administration Dr. Kristina Navarro along with SWA and Director of Sports Medicine and Sports Performance Ryanne Breckenridge announced Monday (June 28) a formal restructure of the Department of Sports Medicine and Performance. The changes build on the mission of providing a transformational student-athlete experience and enhancing the Pioneers’ profile of competitive excellence.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announces the launch of the Pioneering Forward Athletic Fund. This innovative fundraising initiative will enhance both the experience of donors and all 550 Pioneer student-athletes.
Platteville, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville athletic department has earned the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s All-Academic award for the past two decades, making it the longest active streak in the conference. To earn the award, student-athletes must obtain a higher grade point average than the general student body. Pioneer student-athletes have excelled in the classroom, but they could not have done it without the resources the university offers.
Platteville, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team placed six members on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference team. Seniors Shannon Gaul and Ashton Hoeppner were named to the first team, while senior Alejandra Ochoa, junior Rachel Plautz and junior Claire Bakkestuen were named honorable mention. Senior Abby Burns was named to the All-Sportsmanship team. Hoeppner was also named WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete.
OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh softball team put an end to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s season with a 3-1 Titan victory in the WIAC Championship (presented by Culver’s) semifinal. Thursday’s game at UW-Oshkosh’s Softball Field marked the first time since 2012 that the Pioneers advanced to the semifinal of the conference tournament.
Claire Bakkestuen -- Softball Jonny Kelso -- Baseball
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team claimed its first victory since 2012 in a WIAC Championship (presented by Culver’s) game with a 6-5 win over UW-Eau Claire after 11 innings in Tuesday’s quarterfinal. The #6 seed victory over the #3 seed was the only upset in the WIAC on the day and advances the Pioneers to Thursday’s semifinal at UW-Oshkosh.
Platteville, Wis.- For the third straight week, a University of Wisconsin-Platteville athletic team will compete in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason. The Pioneer softball team (16-16, 7-7 WIAC) will travel to UW-Eau Claire (22-16, 8-6 WIAC) on Tuesday, May 11 to open the WIAC Softball Championship (presented by Culver’s). The Pioneers and Blugolds split a conference doubleheader on Friday, May 7.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team split with the Blugolds of UW-Eau Claire in Friday’s regular season finale. After a walk-off 5-4 Blugold victory in the opener, the Pioneers answered back with 9-0 shutout (six innings) in the nightcap.
Shannon Gaul -- Softball Claire Bakkestuen -- Softball
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team battled it out in back-to-back, one-run losses to UW-Whitewater on senior day. The opener went into extra innings where the Warhawks pulled away for a 6-5 win and the visitors held on for a narrow 2-1 win in the nightcap. Prior to the non-conference doubleheader, the Pioneers (15-15 overall) recognized the 2021 senior class which included Abby Burns, Shannon Gaul, Ashton Hoeppner, Alejandra Ochoa and Haili Cota.
Platteville, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville spring athletic teams are in the final stretch of their spring season. The Pioneer women’s golf team finished its season by finishing sixth at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship (presented by Culver’s). Junior Markie Ash was the top finisher for the Pioneers, with a three-day total of 247 to finish 13th. Ash was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team.
Bakkesteun shuts out Stout in Game 2, 4-0.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – Senior Shannon Gaul’s perfect 5-for-5 day at the plate for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team guided the Pioneers (13-13, 6-6 WIAC) to a 4-2 nightcap victory after falling 2-1 in the opener to the Eagles of UW-La Crosse (11-12, 7-5 WIAC). Friday’s conference split at the UW-Platteville Softball Complex leaves the Pioneers tied with UW-Stevens Point for fifth in the WIAC and UW-La Crosse sitting at fourth in the league.
