BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[TitanBystander]

Their offense is going to be big again, but with the loss of Stine (shoulder surgery) and Jeff and Greg Donovan (academically ineligible/off field issues) out for the year the mighty warhawks may be flying a little closer to the ground then they had hoped coming into this year. 

How intriguing ... don't leave us hanging on the Donovans. At least it's news to me.
Good first post. Hope you newer guys stick around. Seems like we have a good mix. Should make for a good board this year. All we need are some fans of Platteville, Stout and La Crosse and we'd be set.
Speaking of, to any lurkers, please join us on the Midwest boards. We're an accepting lot. Even when my guys run over your guys at the plate, we seem to get along just fine. Or join to tell me I'm an idiot. Either way, we could use more info and opinions.

OK - I've been called out.    Having been a "lurker" for the past few years, I've been impressed with the thoughtful and respectful postings of this board.  Oshdude - I'm not about to call you an idiot, but hopefully I can live up to your expectations and example.

I think it's time to jump in with both feet. 

As far as the top 4 teams in the WIAC - I would list in this order:
1.  Oshkosh - given my screenname, no one should be surprised by that. 
2.  Whitewater - any team who has won/tied for the title 7 of the past 9 years needs to be mentioned near the top. 

My heart says near the top - not AT the top.

3.  Point - Too many holes to move any higher IMO.
4.  LAX/Superior - Seeing what strides Superior has made the past 2 seasons, I wouldn't be surprised to see them get the #4 slot, but then again - it's Superior.  No offense guys (and I acknowlege the win over Oshkosh last year)  - but they still have to prove they are a real player in the WIAC before I pen them in to the tournament. 


Not to pile on the pre-season analysis, but I also believe (like Cubs mentioned) that the UW-O staff will be OK.  Mattson & Kuepper stepped up big in important games last year so they should be fine.  Kannenburg has pitched well during the Summer (granted not WIAC competition) Rubens is a flat out stud & R. Demmin could really bloom this season after spending the summer pitching in the Northwoods league.  Returning All conference performers in B. Demmin, N. Fadness, J. Fosler, K. Kannenburg, J. Rubens, R. Demmin, and D. Hirsokey along with 2007 AC performer  M. Fadness should lead to a lineup that's hard to top.  Throw in B. Burger - who lit things up late last season, and a few notable freshmen, and I think you have a conference winning crew.   

That is...If they don't throw away games against Platteville. 
Think about this, if you were to throw out one of the three losses to Platteville in 2006, and 1 ugly loss to them in 2008, the Titans would be on a 3 year conference championship winning streak. I know, IF only..., but it just shows how tight the league really is.  One unexpected loss can kill you.  Hard to believe that the conference championship may be decided April 18-19 when Platteville visits Tiedeman Field.

So, let's all hope the Sun comes out, melts the snow, and dries the fields. 

Let's Play ball!

[poly god]

Hello to All,

Here's what I know about Points line up.

Spurney-LF
Archambeau-CF
Surman-RF
Fritz-SS
Cummings-2nd
Richter-1st
3rd-?
Catcher-?
DH-?
Freshman who will get a good shot.
Koback-of/p/dh
Kackwich-3b/dh
Schoch-1b/of/d

[Titan20]

Oshkosh is just missing a solid rotation.  Mattson and Kuepper are nothing that any other team in the WIAC doesn't have.   Demmin is a solid pitcher no doubt about that, but in my opinion if he threw right handed he would not be mentioned in the top of the WIAC pitching ranks, because he's really not overpowering.  he's effective I'm not saying that he isn't, but he isn't a top tier shut down kind of guy...more of a dependable know you got a chance with him out there kind of guy.  Kannenberg switching to pitcher is lovely, but in case you're unaware throwing 90 mph in itself isn't going to get you very far.  Having never seen him pitch I can't say much else about him.  Usually converted position players that have great arms have just that, and little control and hardly any off speed pitches.  Point and WW will feast off of a 90 mph fastball, they both see that stuff on a daily basis in practice.   If he does get control and some other pitches and can stay healthy (him staying healthy is my biggest concern here, that's a lot of stress on an arm not used to pitching), then that will certainly strengthen a weak point in their team.  I still like them to win the conference this year, but Point and WW both have better rotations.

Kannenberg has good stuff to back up his fastball.  Granted he will have to stay healty but who doesnt for their team to do well.  And having 2 pitchers at 91 (Ruben, Kanny), 1 and 89 (demmin) is pretty solid.  not to many teams see a 90+ on a "daily basis".  Unless zimmerman or someother pro is coming back and those daily for that team.  Everyone is worried about the rotation, but it will be just as good, if not better than everyone esles, IF everyone stays healthy.   

[Dagger]

ok, so poor choice of words on my part....they see 90 mph on a weekly basis!  I'm not saying oshkosh has a bad rotation, I just dont think they are stronger or more experienced then the rotations at WW and Point.   I'm also saying that being able to throw hard doesn't mean you're going to help out your team, you need to be able to pitch...and that's not a shot at UWO's rotation saying they can't pitch...I'm just saying that velocity is great but not enough to live on in this conference!  Remember in my previous posts, that I have UWO pegged as my favorite to win conference this year!  They are simply too deep across the board for even a mediocre staff to affect them, and I certainly think their staff is above mediocre.  IMO they have the third best staff and by far the best offensive lineup hands down.  As for kannenberg staying healthy, it's not easy to switch from position player to pitcher...having done so myself and then sitting out for a year with an arm injury...it really takes a toll on your arm if you're not used to it.  Who knows what Hemi is going to do this year, he could be great like he was or he could fall apart, physically and mentally and be terrible...time will tell.

[Dagger]

Hello to All,

Here's what I know about Points line up.

Spurney-LF
Archambeau-CF
Surman-RF
Fritz-SS
Cummings-2nd
Richter-1st
3rd-?
Catcher-?
DH-?
Freshman who will get a good shot.
Koback-of/p/dh
Kackwich-3b/dh
Schoch-1b/of/d

Corrections:

kackwich at third
koback in CF
Surman in LF
and Arch in RF
spurney DH
bloom/?? splitting at C

that how it stands for now as I understand it.

[OshDude]

Welcome, new posters! Karma all around. Anyone else out there?
As far as the UWO staff goes, count me as one who likes it. Maybe not as good as Point's because of the experience factor, but I don't think Whitewater's is any better. I really like Evan Matson, and Perle and Kuepper can provide quality innings. However, I hope Kanny developed some movement on his FB and Ryno gives up fewer big innings. Oh, and I hope Rube is Rube this year.

Who are the UWO frosh in the pitching mix? Buchkowski? Westphal? Huebner? The others?

[Titan20]

Welcome, new posters! Karma all around. Anyone else out there?
As far as the UWO staff goes, count me as one who likes it. Maybe not as good as Point's because of the experience factor, but I don't think Whitewater's is any better. I really like Evan Matson, and Perle and Kuepper can provide quality innings. However, I hope Kanny developed some movement on his FB and Ryno gives up fewer big innings. Oh, and I hope Rube is Rube this year.

Who are the UWO frosh in the pitching mix? Buchkowski? Westphal? Huebner? The others?

First of all dagger-i dont want o stir up any bad blood between us, and im not staying UWO is perfect just good, and will put up good number this year in the rotation, only time will tell whose the best and whose jus alright. 
As for oshdude and wanting to know about the freshman in the rotation...First, perle (the would be senior) has transfered schools and is no longer a Titan.  As for the fresh- Troy Mirvika looked good, however he is  another position player switch and the other big fresh name is Brandon Lenz.  He looked good as well, both throw about 87-85, so decent.  Thats about all i no about it so far.

[Dagger]

There's no bad blood being stirred right now in my eyes...I'm just here to discuss.  I have a great deal of respect for Oshkosh and their history, as well as all the other schools in the WIAC!  I played in it and I understand all that comes with it, I had good years and bad years.  I'm not trying to cut anybody down, never was nor will be my intention...I appreciate good conversations with differing opinions.  I just don't UWO has much other than rubens and demmin...

[dukes]

Yes, yes, friends all around. Regarding the point of switching positions I agree it can be difficult, but a lot of it depends on which position you are switching from and their overall conditioning. I have seen it many times were a guy used to be an position player and is used to throwing every day a similar amount, then has to adjust that for specific outings. In my opinion the difficult thing for everyone at the start of the year is the feel factor, meaning it is less to do about arm strength or even mechanics and more to do with release point on off speed pitches. Any decent to good pitcher should be able to go out on any given day and throw fastballs for strikes, but the differences comes when they need to polish their offspeed for the good hitting teams. This is were I believe most two way guys, or pitcher converts seem to lack. And I agree velocity isnt everything, but for every guy Nolan Ryan there is a Greg Maddux.

[batboy]

For the Titan followers: Is Mickey Fadness going to strictly 2b, or will he be doing some catching as well?  Whats the deal with Sebesta and Jirshley? Where are they going to be playing? I know Sebesta is a solid hitter, but is his defense good enough for the college level?  Other sources say he may play a big role just being the DH.  As for Kannenberg switching roles, I don't think injury will be a problem being that he has known about switching roles and will have his arm in shape by the time the season starts.  The bigger problem is knowing how to get college hitters out.  Looks like UWO has a pretty tough Florida schedule, St. Thomas 4 times!!! and St. Olaf twice...I guess they'll have the MIAC scouted for regionals then, pending how the season pans out.

[cubs]

For the Titan followers: Is Mickey Fadness going to strictly 2b, or will he be doing some catching as well?  Whats the deal with Sebesta and Jirshley? Where are they going to be playing? I know Sebesta is a solid hitter, but is his defense good enough for the college level?  Other sources say he may play a big role just being the DH. 

Everything I have heard up to this point is that if UWO had a game tomorrow, Sebesta would be the starting 3B, Jirschele SS, and M. Fadness 2B.  I guess we will find out for sure in a little over a month.

[ShineTime]

I spoke to the owner of the Tilted Kilt in Stevens Point and he stated he built the establishment primarily in an attempt to get Whitewater baseball players there for the big series in April hoping they would bring some of the girls up to their rooms and get suspended and give Point some cheap W'S like they received last year in Whitewater. 

Anyone know whose playing 2nd, 1B, and C for Point?  What about former SPASH standout Chris Hoerter playing 2nd?  What happened to Point pitcher Lucas Hoeschele?  He was a junior lefty last year who showed some great potential other than the Oshkosh game.  Someone told me he had a professional soccer tryout but I have a hard time believing that.

[batboy]

I spoke to the owner of the Tilted Kilt in Stevens Point and he stated he built the establishment primarily in an attempt to get Whitewater baseball players there for the big series in April hoping they would bring some of the girls up to their rooms and get suspended and give Point some cheap W'S like they received last year in Whitewater. 

Anyone know whose playing 2nd, 1B, and C for Point?  What about former SPASH standout Chris Hoerter playing 2nd?  What happened to Point pitcher Lucas Hoeschele?  He was a junior lefty last year who showed some great potential other than the Oshkosh game.  Someone told me he had a professional soccer tryout but I have a hard time believing that.

Iverson and Cummings are battling it out for 2nd. Jeremy Richter is at 1st, and Catcher could be anybody at this point.  As far as the Tilted Kilt goes, I don't think that any of the girls there would be worth taking home.

[OshDude]

I spoke to the owner of the Tilted Kilt in Stevens Point and he stated he built the establishment primarily in an attempt to get Whitewater baseball players there for the big series in April hoping they would bring some of the girls up to their rooms and get suspended and give Point some cheap W'S like they received last year in Whitewater. 

Anyone know whose playing 2nd, 1B, and C for Point?  What about former SPASH standout Chris Hoerter playing 2nd?  What happened to Point pitcher Lucas Hoeschele?  He was a junior lefty last year who showed some great potential other than the Oshkosh game.  Someone told me he had a professional soccer tryout but I have a hard time believing that.

There's one opening in Oshkosh. Not sure if it will be done before the season is over. Stay classy, Titans. No suspensions please.

[badgerwarhawk]

I spoke to the owner of the Tilted Kilt in Stevens Point and he stated he built the establishment primarily in an attempt to get Whitewater baseball players there for the big series in April hoping they would bring some of the girls up to their rooms and get suspended and give Point some cheap W'S like they received last year in Whitewater. 

LMAO    That whole incident was pretty funny.

I watched the BADGERS men's hockey team win the NCAA Championship at the Tilted Kilt in Phoenix, Az.  It was tough to keep my eyes on the game.