Mandy Cerqua is one of the team leaders

In 2008, the UW-Platteville softball team set a school record and led NCAA Division III in home runs per game with 49 in 35 games. As soon as the 2009 season begins, the Pioneers are already ensured another record.

UW-Platteville will play the earliest softball game in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history when the Pioneers face Mount Mercy in a doubleheader Friday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

"It's really exciting, and it's really upped our intensity in practice," fourth-year Coach Heather Townsend said. "Instead of dreading six weeks of practice inside, we have two weeks to get ready for our first game."

The opportunity came about in the fall, when Mount Mercy contacted UWP about playing in the Ramada/UNI-Dome Softball Classic. Eighteen games will be played over a three-day span. Townsend already had a 40-game schedule set, but wanting to participate in the event, she cut the team's spring trip to Tucson from 10 games to eight.

"Playing in a dome will be a first for a lot of us," said junior catcher Mandy Cerqua. "It's pretty exciting and a good chance to see what we have. We have good talent this year."

The Pioneers return seven players and two upperclassmen from last year's 14-21 squad. Three-time all-conference and two-time all-region second baseman Tera Burr is the lone senior. The all-American candidate already is the Pioneer career leader in batting average (.441), doubles (32) and home runs (21) and is within striking distance of almost every other mark.

Cerqua hit .262 while starting 15 games, and Whitney Foltz, Destiny Glasson, Calan Nelson, Kristin Nelson and Samantha Niemann each started at least five games in their first years. Fifteen talented freshmen will be anxious to show their abilities inside the UNI-Dome.

"We get to see what we have with a young team," Townsend said. "I don't want to jinx us, but we've looked good. The pitchers are throwing strikes, and the hitters are on. I'm really excited. We have a lot of potential."

Even though the two upperclassmen have the leadership roles because of their seniority, the entire team chemistry is taking ownership of the program.

"A lot of the younger girls look up to us, but there is a mutual respect across the team," Cerqua said. "I'm really excited for it. They have good attitudes. It's a really fun team."