UW-Platteville, coming off a 1-15 conference season, stunned UW-Oshkosh, 15-1 a year ago, and its three-time WIAC pitcher of the year 2-1 Thursday afternoon.
Maggie Medlicott threw a three-hitter, and Becky Swanson hit a two-run home run off Ronessa Stampfli in the sixth inning, handing Stampfli just her sixth career conference loss.
"It's huge, absolutely huge," Medlicott said. "Not only is it a win against Oshkosh, of the best teams in the league, but it was a home win, too."
The second game was suspended by rain in the second inning with the Titans up 1-0. The game will be finished at a date to be determined.
Medlicott and Stampfli each threw five scoreless innings before the Titans pushed across a run in the sixth. Angie Heinzelman walked, advanced to second on a bunt and scored on an Aerial Spang single.
The Pioneers had their chances against Stampfli, loading the bases in the fourth and leaving runners on the corners in the fifth. In the sixth, Nikki Hansen reached on an infield single, and with two outs, Swanson blasted a shot over the left-field fence.
"I always say home runs don't win games, but this did," Pioneer Coach Heather Townsend said. "Becky changed her swing and adjusted to the pitch. That's what good hitters do."
Medlicott induced three ground balls, including two to herself, in the seventh to finish the upset. The senior allowed just one hit after the third inning.
"Our fielders had an oustanding game, and Patty (Meoska) called a great game," she said. "It really was a team effort."
The Pioneers improved to 7-7 overall in the conference opener, while the Titans slipped to 6-6.
"It's a good start, a real good start," Townsend said, "however, we still have things to work on."
The Pioneers get right back into conference action Friday, playing a doubleheader against UW-La Crosse that was rescheduled from Tuesday.
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