Pioneers’ softball team ready to return to action

Platteville, Wis. – In 2020, University of Wisconsin-Platteville Head Softball Coach Rebecca Lowe was excited to be running the program she once played for, but after only four games, the season was over due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the second-year coach and the Pioneer softball team is ready to get back on the field.

"The team has shown some grit and passion for the game," Lowe said. "With the stop and go and change of plans due to COVID, our team has really stayed on the right course and shows up every day ready to compete. A loss of a season can make players a little on edge about the unknowns, but this team has really persevered and shown resilience through this entire process."

Lowe had an idea of what she had through four games and looks forward to seeing the senior class of Ashton Hoeppner, Haili Cota, Alejandra Ochoa, Abby Burns and Shannon Gaul lead the Pioneers in 2021.

"I am excited to see Ashton step on the mound for a final year," Lowe said. "Ocho (Alejandra Ochoa), Abby and Shannon will be big factors in our line-up."

The seniors will be joined by a young mix of players that have been waiting for an opportunity. "Our twins, Angie and Cassie Laabs, as well as Claire Bakkestuen, have been patiently waiting for their time to prove what they have," Lowe said. "I have seen their hard work day in and day out for the past two years. We are now ready to see their hard work pay off."

The Pioneers are scheduled to open play on Saturday, March 13 at Concordia University Wisconsin. Coincidentally, March 13, 2020 was the day the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19. The Pioneers were 2-2 after splitting a pair of doubleheaders in Rochester, Minnesota.

In total, the Pioneers will play 16 doubleheaders on the season, 13 of which will be Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rivals. Due to COVID-19 protocols, the Pioneers can only play teams that require the same testing that the WIAC has in place. Six WIAC doubleheaders will be non-conference games.

The Pioneers first home game is April 6, when they welcome WIAC rival UW-Oshkosh to the UW-Platteville Softball Complex for a non-conference doubleheader. The Pioneers will open conference play with a doubleheader at UW-Oshkosh on April 8.

To follow the Pioneers, visit letsgopioneers.com/sports/sball/index where live stats and any live stream links will be provided.