BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Dagger]

usually point makes their announcement in late summer, after their season is finished and before classes resume.

[cubs]

Oshkosh had their "Scout Day" last week, and while you can never really take a lot away from it, there were a couple of things worth passing along.

-Jeremy Rubens got back on the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery and looked alright.  He hit as high as 86 on the radar gun.  Will be interesting to see how he comes back.  Would definitely be a shot in the arm for an Oshkosh pitching staff that lacked depth last season.

-University of Iowa transfer Phil Schreiber was the hardest thrower on the day (not that that means it will translate into success.)  He hit 93 on the gun (the only UWO pitcher to get in the 90's.)

If Rubens could return to form and Schreiber is the real deal, UWO's pitching staff could go from a weakness last season, to a possible strength this year.  If Rubens and Schreiber could be those solid #1 and #2 arms, Westphal and Mrkvicka could slide down to #3 and #4 and give you a solid weekend rotation. 

It will be interesting to see how things play out....

BTW-Sounds like former UWO standout Kyle Kannenberg has traded in the baseball cleats for the sneakers, as he has been seen practicing with the UWO basketball team this fall.

[pickleshiner]

Thank God Koback is playing now for UWSP this spring.  Their back in national title contention.

[badgerwarhawk]

Does that mean you're not a St Scholastica supporter any more? 

[pickleshiner]

That's Finladia.  I will still be a Pointer supported but unfortunately will not be able to make as many games this year.

[cubs]

As for my two cents on the koback situation...there's no chance in hell he ever puts on a uniform for point again, and if he even had the nerve to want to put it back on I would tell him to get lost!

Good thing Point is considered heaven, and not hell.....     So you going to be making the trip to Point this Spring to tell him to get lost? 

Must say I didn't see this happening.  I guess Bloom let the players decide whether to let him back on the team, and they said yes.  I stated a couple months back I would be surprised if he was back on the team, and I can honestly say I still am.

[ballfan55]

"Is this heaven?"
"No, it's Iowa."

I guess compared to Iowa Point could be considered heaven!

[pickleshiner]

Just my opinion which means nothing I'm guessing some of the Point players realized after seeing what Whitewater and Oshkosh have this year that they could really use Koback if they want to finish top 3.

[badgerwarhawk]

Maybe they circulated a petition with hundreds, no make that thousands, of signatures and Bloom had no choice but to take him back.

[Just Bill]

Maybe they circulated a petition with hundreds, no make that thousands, of signatures and Bloom had no choice but to take him back.

Or perhaps Rusty Fishook climbed to the top of the Sentry Insurance building and threatend to fling himself off of it unless his man-crush was permitted back on the team.  Since Stevens Point doesn't have a SWAT team and Sentry refused to cover the costs of his injuries, they gave in.

[pickleshiner]

It's obvious I think Koback is a lot better than what a lot of people on here think.  To be honest I just really think Fritz, Delorit, and Williams deserve one last crack at a top 3 finish nationally and it won't hurt to have a solid #3 pitcher and great hitter in the lineup.  Someone needs to pick up for the loss of Spurney, Archambeau, and Richter and this will certainly help. 

[BigPoppa]

How do you guys see the WIAC shaking out this year? I have some thoughts, but I'd prefer to save them until I release my national pre-season poll.

[pickleshiner]

I think Whitewater, Oshkosh, and Point will all be top 10 teams by the end of the year.  The WIAC will get three teams in regionals and advance 2 teams to Appleton.  Point over Whitewater in the championship with Koback striking out 12 in complete game effort.

[Just Bill]

I think Whitewater, Oshkosh, and Point will all be top 10 teams by the end of the year.  The WIAC will get three teams in regionals and advance 2 teams to Appleton.  Point over Whitewater in the championship with Koback striking out 12 in complete game effort.

That is completely ridiculous....

...Koback will strike out 13, obviously.

[cubs]

How do you guys see the WIAC shaking out this year? I have some thoughts, but I'd prefer to save them until I release my national pre-season poll.

I still think Point has to be the favorite, considering they return both of their top pitchers from last season (Delorit and Williams.)  Fritz and Jirschele also return to give them a couple of solid bats.  Whitewater should be close behind as well, as both Tincher and Donovan will be back on the mound for the Warhawks.  They will also have Coe, Donovan, and Putnam back in the line-up as well.  

Oshkosh would seem to be the darkhorse, depending on how the transfers perform and how Rubens returns following surgery.  They have Fadness and Berger back to anchor the offense, and Westphal and Mrkvicka back on the mound, who both got meaningful innings last season.  If those two are able to slide down to the #3 and #4 spots, I would think the Titans may finally be able to have enough pitching to sweep a 4-game series, something they didn't do all of last season, and it ultimately cost them a berth in the WIAC Tournament.