University of Wisconsin, Platteville Women's Softball

Becca (Lowe) Runde is starting her fifth season as head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville softball team. In 2019, Runde returned to her alma mater and the place that launched her coaching career. In Coach Runde's time here she has coached the team to the best record in 30 years with a 25-16 season in 2023. She has coached the 1st All-American (Melissa Dietz) for the Pioneer Softball Program. In three full seasons (one being a cancelled COVID season) she has coached 11 All-WIAC players, one WIAC Newcomer of the Year (Melissa Dietz), and one WIAC Position Player of the Year (Melissa Dietz). As well as two CoSIDA Academic All-Americans ( Rachel Plautz, Amanda Stanczuk). The Byron, Illinois native had an illustrious college career of her own which started at Kirkwood Community College in Iowa. Runde was a two-time All-Region player for the Eagles and helped lead the team to a 7th place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. She then transferred and finished her college career with the Pioneers while UW-Platteville advanced to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament in 2014. In two seasons at UW-Platteville, Runde was among the top leaders in runs scored, batting average, on base percentage, and stolen bases.Runde’s family as been a staple in Pioneer Athletics with her three siblings all graduating and competing for UW-Platteville. Oldest sister Carin ran cross country, older sister Colleen competed on the softball team, and younger brother Daniel played on the men’s basketball team. SeasonOverallConference202325-167-7202213-195-9202117-177-720202-20-0Total57-5419-23

Riley Kelsch enters her second year as assistant coach with the Pioneers in the 2023-2024 season. Kelsch has now helped coach the 1st All-American in Pioneer Softball history (Melissa Dietz), and 3 All-WIAC players. She has also been a part of the coaching staff with the best record of 25-16 in 30 years. Kelsch is no stranger to UW-Platteville softball having been a four-year starter at shortstop. "I am extremely excited to have Riley join our coaching staff this year! Not only was Riley a great softball player, but she was an excellent student too. She knows exactly what it takes to be a student-athlete at the Division III level. I had the privilege of coaching Riley here at UW-Platteville and loved her work ethic and knowledge of the game. Riley is going to make an impact right away by working with our defense and recruiting top players from the Northern Illinois area. I am excited to watch her move this program in a positive direction!" said Runde.  Kelsch was a First Team All-WIAC selection her senior year, a four-time WIAC Academic Honor Roll member and team captain. The former Pioneer hit .370 and started all 32 games her senior year. The shortstop originally from Aurora, Illinois finished out her career with a .930 fielding percentage. 

In spring of 2023, Robert Lowe began is fourth year as an assistant coach at UW-Platteville. In his three full seasons (one season canceled due to COVID) of coaching at UW-Platteville, Coach Lowe has helped coach 11 All-WIAC players, 3 All-WIAC pitchers, and one All-American. Coach Lowe has helped coached the team to the lowest ERA in 18 years with a 2.30 ERA in 2023 and helped the coaching staff achieve the best record of 25-16 in 30 years. Lowe has recorded decades of head coaching experience at all levels including NJCAA, NCAA DII and NCAA DIII. He is a two time NJCAA DII coach of the year. Previously, Coach Lowe coached in Illinois, Georgia and North Carolina colleges.  He has over 200 collegiate victories as a head coach, and numerous all-conference and collegiate All-Americans that have played for him.Lowe focuses on pitching and defense for the Pioneers. All four of his children are UW-Platteville alums including Head Coach Becca (Lowe) Runde.