Pioneers prepare for 2022 season with two early trips south

Platteville, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville 2021 softball season can be summed up with one word – split. In 16 doubleheaders, the Pioneers split 10 of them, swept three and were swept in three to finish the regular season 16-16. Following the season's theme, the Pioneers defeated UW-Eau Claire in the quarterfinals of the WIAC Softball Championships, before falling in the semifinal to finish 17-17.

Third year Head Coach Becca (Lowe) Runde's 2022 squad will look to build off a 2021 season that saw them fall short in a game and then find a way to win a game. "We were the team of splits last year," Runde said. "We need to win game one. To win two, you got to get the first game." 

In 2022, Runde will need to replace two All-WIAC first team members in pitcher Ashton Hoeppner and third baseman Shannon Gaul. Hoeppner threw a 128 of the 227 innings the Pioneers played in 2021, while Gaul led the Pioneers with a .398 batting average. Gaul was second on the team with seven homeruns.

The Pioneers pitching staff returns two members from the 2021 season that saw time in the circle and added three freshman pitchers. With the diversity in skill and specialization in the circle, Runde feels all five will see action during the early portion of the non-conference season.

"We have five women on our staff, and they all specialize and do something very different," Runde said.  "McKenna Rommel and Claire Bakkestuen have experience. Claire has the most experience, and I feel she can be our number one. The three freshmen, Corrie Remley, Jordan Johnson, and Emma VandeVoort are new to college and still have the jitters. We need to see them settle down and throw in college." 

Bakkestuen also excelled at the plate during her sophomore year of college, the first playing in college due to the 2020 season being cancelled because of COVID-19. She led the Pioneers with eight home runs and 26 runs batted in. With Gaul graduating in 2021, the Pioneers will need to find another offensive threat to help lift the load off Bakkestuen.

Senior Rachel Plautz started all 34 games for the Pioneers and hit .327 with seven doubles, a triple and a home run. "Rachel is very consistent at the plate. She has set goals for herself to improve on her game," Runde said. "She will help protect Bakkestuen in the lineup, but we have a few newcomers that can really hit the ball. Amanda Stanczuk is another power potential at the plate, and I can see her doing good things for us." 

Newcomers Jordan Johnson, Calista Fuehrer and Kaitlyn Lawrence will look to provide some power at the plate for the Pioneers. "Jordan, Calista and Kaitlyn bring some power to the plate and consistent contact. Alex Davis makes good contact, and we have some speed, more speed than last year. I am excited to see how we can mesh our line-up together this year," Runde said.

The Pioneers will play five games over two days at the Mount Mary Slugger Series in Peoria, Illinois, beginning Thursday, March 3, before they head to Clermont, Florida for 11 more contests over spring break. During the 16 contests, Runde would like to see what her young pitching staff can do and how the individual players develop.

"I want to figure out our pitching staff during the early portion of the season. I want to give the freshmen a chance and see how we can mix them in," she said. "I really want to use the trips to Peoria and Florida as a time to not only develop as a team, but see how the individuals develop and how they step up and compete at the college level."

The Pioneers begin a six-game homestand when they face North Central (Illinois) on Friday, April 1 at 2 p.m. WIAC rival UW-Whitewater visits for a pair on Wednesday, April 6 at 3 p.m. Runde and the Pioneers will welcome back alumni when UW-Eau Claire visits on Sunday, April 10 for a noon start. 

Runde and the Pioneers will be scheduling a youth day during the season. In the final doubleheader of the regular season, the Pioneers will honor the seniors on Sunday, May 1 when UW-Oshkosh comes to town.

The WIAC Softball Championships (presented by Culver's) will begin with the quarterfinals on Friday, May 6.

To follow the Pioneers all season, visit www.Letsgopioneers.com for links for live stats, postgame recaps and links for the contests that are live streamed. Follow the official social media accounts of Pioneer Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.