Nikki Hansen had 9 HRs in 2007

The UW-Platteville softball team will look to blend 10 letter winners with a talented freshman class as the Pioneers get ready for the 2008 season, which begins March 16-21 at the Snowbird Softball Games in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

"They're looking good, and we have seen a lot of improvement from the first day of practice," third-year coach Heather Townsend said. "With a big freshman class we had coming in, we had to get them used to the game and the higher level. They're looking good and gaining confidence."

Seven position players return from an offense that doubled the school record with 40 home runs and had a .463 slugging percentage in 2007. Leading the charge is junior second baseman Tera Burr, who hit .495, the best average in Pioneer history and the second-best in the history of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The two-time all-league pick holds the UWP career batting mark with a .443 average. She slugged nine home runs last year.

Seniors Nikki Hansen (.354, 9 HRs at shortstop), Becky Swanson (.339, 3 HR in left field), Lindsay Weigand (.283, 32 RBIs at third and first), Patty Meoska (.260, 9 doubles at catcher), Stefany Delifer (.151 at oufield/DH) and pitcher Maggie Medlicott (7-14, 3.35 ERA) give the Pioneers an experienced core.

"We're looking for a lot of senior leadership, a lot of confidence," Townsend said. "We want them to be good examples and be supportive."

Sophomore returners include third baseman Dru Schneider, who started 34 games, catcher Mandy Cerqua, 18 starts, and outfielder Danielle Roznos, 10 starts.

Among the freshmen standouts are a pair of pitchers. Barneveld all-state player and four-time Six Rivers MVP Katie Sutter and Davenport North's Brittani Clauss will provide immediate help.

Bridgette Clark, from Rock Falls, Ill., has the inside track on the centerfield position, while several other first-year players are pushing for playing time. Thirteen freshmen are on the 2008 roster.

"I expect the same out of the freshmen as I do the seniors," Townsend said. "We have a lot of good leaders coming out of that class, which will motivate and carry us through the season."

With the deep and talented crew, the Pioneers will be looking to improve upon last year's 11-28 record. Fourteen of the losses were by either one or two runs. Reversing those would make 2008 a much more successful season.

"The main thing is just being knowledgeable of the game situations," Townsend said. "We can't be making mental errors. We have to know every situation, the type of batter and type of runner; just really knowing the game and the opponents."

The Pioneers are scheduled to open their home season March 27 vs. Cornell, although the artificial surface of Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium may serve as their home until the snow clears from the UWP Softball Complex.