Following a heart-breaking weekend of walk-off sweeps from UW-Stout, the Pioneers hosted University of Dubuque and split the night 0-8, 5-1 on April 26. The win broke a curse that has stalked UW-Platteville all season long.

Photograph by Anthony Bauer


Senior catcher Mandy Cerqua attempts to tag out University of Dubuque player during the two-game split at UW-Platteville on April 26.

“We have had some problems with the opposing teams winning with walk-off home runs,” head coach Heather Townsend said. “We have to work on finishing a game so we can end with a win. We will prepare for our next games and be ready to come out and battle.”

Courtney Ryan pitched the entire second game against UD. Ryan threw a seven-hitter, allowing only one run and striking out seven. The Spartans tied up the game in the fourth after Maggie Schuttler singled to right field and Chantal McReynolds hit a triple over the right-fielder’s head to put UW-P ahead 2-1.

The Pioneers continued their comeback into the sixth, scoring three runs on seven hits.

UW-P improved to 10-24 on the season, doubling their win total from 2009. The Pioneers remain 0-10 for the WIAC.

The Pioneers will host all remaining games of the season, with the hopes that the home-field advantage will continue to beat the curse. The next conference games will take place in a doubleheader against UW-Eau Claire at 2 p.m. Saturday May 2.

The WIAC tournament will take place at UW-Oshkosh on May 7-9.

“One of our team strengths would be our offense,” Samantha Niemann, a junior majoring in animal science said. “We have always been able to make some kind of contact with the ball.”

Niemann said that a key element to preparation for the remaining conference games will be clearing their minds of the stress and frustration of the previous loses.

“We have to keep practicing hard and just clear our minds so we are able come out and win,” Niemann said.

“The team has many strengths this season, the greatest has been our team unity,” Townsend said. “The team give it their all during every game and that won’t change as we head into the stretch of home games before the conference tournament. We look forward to playing at home until then.”