BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Brewers20]

UWO wasting no time today as they put up 11 runs in the top of the 1st against Stout.  19-2 UWO, still in the top of 4. Kannenberg is on the mound, and hitting for himself.

UWP leads UWS 2-0 through 6

[BoBo]

Whitewater and La Crosse split for the second time in as many days. The Warhawks won 6-3 in game one.  UWL defeated UWW 9-6 in game two. "Could have been" a Warhawk sweep if it wasn't for a brutal fielding day by the Warhawks (La Crosse was nearly as bad) - all three runs allowed in game one victory were unearned and only 2 of the 9 runs scored by UWL in game 2 were earned, resulting in Dott picking up the tough luck loss (though he did issue 8 walks to only 6 strikeouts), to even his record at 3-3. La Crosse remains a game ahead of the Warhawks after the 4 game split.

Recap and boxes

[OshDude]

Think Blake Berger ever had a DH like that, even in Little League?
7-for-10, 3 HRs, 2B, 9 R, 15 RBI ... that's stupid.
Wonder who the WIAC Hitter of the Week will be.

[badgerwarhawk]

Whitewater and La Crosse split for the second time in as many days. The Warhawks won 6-3 in game one.  UWL defeated UWW 9-6 in game two. "Could have been" a Warhawk sweep if it wasn't for a brutal fielding day by the Warhawks (La Crosse was nearly as bad) - all three runs allowed in game one victory were unearned and only 2 of the 9 runs scored by UWL in game 2 were earned, resulting in Dott picking up the tough luck loss (though he did issue 8 walks to only 6 strikeouts), to even his record at 3-3. La Crosse remains a game ahead of the Warhawks after the 4 game split.

Recap and boxes

The second game was really frustrating.  We could have won 6-2 but for nasty fielding and some poor decisions on the basepaths.  But we all know what they say about would've, could've, should've.  This one of the better LaCrosse teams that I've seen and I would be surprised to see them miss the conference tourney. 

I am off to the sunny shores of southwest Florida for a week of relaxation and tanning.  I won't have a computer but I hope somehow I can keep up with what happens in the league. 

[cubs]

Just a heads up that this post is going to touch on a WHOLE range of thoughts I have had going through my head the last week or so....

1.  As surprising as the UWO loss to Stout is, they still did what they needed to do over the weekend, which was win three out of four.  If UWO wins three out of four from every conference opponent, they would likely win the regular season title, finishing at 18-6.  The only thing that would throw a wrench in there, is if Whitewater or La Crosse would happen to win out in their remaining WIAC games other than the games against Oshkosh.  If that would happen Whitewater would finish 19-5 and win the league, while La Crosse and Oshkosh would tie for second at 18-6.  The Whitewater scenario is more likely, as they "only" have Stout, Superior, and Platteville remaining on their schedule.

2.  I may have put a little too much stock on Rubens 48 pitch CG masterpiece against Whitewater earlier this season.  Why?  Well Whitewater has continued to show that they aren't exactly tearing the cover off the ball, hitting at just a .259 clip, even with their 22-hit DH performance against Carroll figured in.  Since then, Rubens has pitched in two games, and looked very hittable in each, losing to St. Norbert and Stout.  Now he has the potential to come back and be dominant like he has been in the past, but I guess we will see.  For UWO's sake, he will need to become that #1 pitcher he was last season if they hope to make a lengthy post-season run.

3.  Speaking of Pre-Season All American pitchers, Whitewater's Aaron Dott seems to be struggling as well.  One game he will get hit around a bit, the next he will look similar to his 2008 starts, and the next he will struggle with his control.  He just doesn't seem to be that "lights-out" dominant pitcher he was last season.  In three WIAC starts this season he is 1-2, giving up 17 hits and 12 BB's, while striking out 20 batters in 21.3 IP.  Look for those numbers to improve however over the next few weeks.

4.  I do think that WIAC baseball isn't as strong as it was even just 5-10 years ago.  I think the bottom part of the league has gotten better, but at the expense of the top teams depth.  You don't see the pitching depth at the top schools that there used to be.  No longer are rotations three or four deep with lights out guys who weren't going to get beat.  Their isn't that rotation of Endl, Tomasiewicz, Callahan, and Reinhard or Glysch, Grater, Taschner and Golberg.  Now you have guys going to the other WIAC schools and somtimes beating one of the "big three" instead of joining them and making one of the "big three's" rotation deeper.

[BoBo]

1.  As surprising as the UWO loss to Stout is, they still did what they needed to do over the weekend, which was win three out of four.  If UWO wins three out of four from every conference opponent, they would likely win the regular season title, finishing at 18-6.  The only thing that would throw a wrench in there, is if Whitewater or La Crosse would happen to win out in their remaining WIAC games other than the games against Oshkosh.  If that would happen Whitewater would finish 19-5 and win the league, while La Crosse and Oshkosh would tie for second at 18-6.  The Whitewater scenario is more likely, as they "only" have Stout, Superior, and Platteville remaining on their schedule.

cubs, either Stout isn't as bad as you think they are or the Titans aren't as good as you make yourself believe - probably a little of both, IMO.  Maybe this year's a wake up call to the big 3 that the others are gaining ground on you and lackadaisical play will only get you an "L" in the loss column. Stout "surprising" Oshkosh in the first game of their set might be explained that way. They came out the second day with a little renewed vigor, knowing if they didn't show up, Stout is capable of beating them.  In that vein, I tend to disagree with your assessent that 6 losses might win the league regular season title. I think it might be more like 7 or 8.  I have to admit, though, my view comes from the Uecker seats. Whitewater splitting with Oshkosh on 4/15 and then running the table seems highly unlikely at this juncture, regardless who they are playing (this '09 club is not like recent editions), which goes contrary to your best possible assessment. Considering their uneven play, I'm not sure how UWW can accomplish that feat unless they somehow find their collective basehitting sticks and fielding gloves. I have as much optimism for the team I follow as you do for yours, but I'd be foolish to think a turn-around is in the making for the Warhawks - the signs just aren't leading in that direction.  Oshkosh is going to have to play much better from here on out to make your goal of taking 3 of 4 from everybody - they are still capable of being "surprised" again as much as they they might sweep everybody. IMO, I don't think we've heard the last from Stevens Point, either, but they must really be making their fans frustrated with their performance so far.  But, La Crosse is the team that intrigues me the most. The UWSP and Oshkosh back to back (to back to back) conference DH will determine if they are contenders or... yes...pretenders.  I like their chances.  But that's a tall order, too. 

4.  I do think that WIAC baseball isn't as strong as it was even just 5-10 years ago.  I think the bottom part of the league has gotten better, but at the expense of the top teams depth.  You don't see the pitching depth at the top schools that there used to be.  No longer are rotations three or four deep with lights out guys who weren't going to get beat.  Their isn't that rotation of Endl, Tomasiewicz, Callahan, and Reinhard or Glysch, Grater, Taschner and Golberg.  Now you have guys going to the other WIAC schools and somtimes beating one of the "big three" instead of joining them and making one of the "big three's" rotation deeper.

I think the league as a whole is strongest when the difference between the #1 and #7 is at it's smallest margin.  IMO the gap is narrowing from where we were 5-10 years ago. Now, it you were to ask it this way - is the best team in the conference today as good as the best teams 5-10 years ago? I think we can agree that today, whoever the best is, would not be considered as strong. The conference is only as strong as it's weakest member, and I think the weaker members have gotten stronger, which is good for the conference.  I certainly like things much more now than the days of 1980-1999 when it was basically a 1 team league with a couple hiccups thrown in.

[cubs]

I certainly like things much more now than the days of 1980-1999 when it was basically a 1 team league with a couple hiccups thrown in.

I'm sure you wouldn't mind it returning to the "olden' days" if it was Whitewater who was going on the 20-year run though would you?

[BoBo]

I certainly like things much more now than the days of 1980-1999 when it was basically a 1 team league with a couple hiccups thrown in.

I'm sure you wouldn't mind it returning to the "olden' days" if it was Whitewater who was going on the 20-year run though would you?

Maybe we can revisit this in about 10 years and I'll let you know how I feel!!   

[ShineTime]

I know this has been talked about before but why don't more pitchers hit?  I heard Joel Delorit for UWSP can rake and hit over 20 HR'S in high school.  Why not let some of these guys bat if their that athletic?  Pitchers usually are your most athletic players.  Point really screwed up a few years ago not letting Tyler Techlin at least DH.  He was one of the best hitters the Appleton ever seen and never got an opportunity to hit just because he was a pitcher.  I know Zimmerman and Endl both hit but who else in recent years got a chance to swing it.  Point also could've let J.C. Reinke hit but I can understand why they didn't with the lineup they had already.

[Dagger]

first of all there are a lot of things that go into a decision on whether or not a pitcher will hit, and "mashing" in high school doesn't mean a thing when you get to college.  zimmerman and endl were freaks of nature, callahan also hit for the warhawks.  But, you have to understand that there is also a mental aspect and a stamina side.  Having pitched for a year (while batting) I can speak to the fact that it is very disruptive to have to hit and pitch in the same game!  I'm not saying it impossible, but it just takes you out of your zone mentally when you're pitching and for some guys it can totally ruin their outing by having to do both!  As for the other guys, and kevin thomas is a great example of pitchers that can hit (now a 3B),  these guys get chances to swing in practice sometimes, but in order to get enough swings in to be a successful college hitter and to get your work in to be a successful pitcher you need to put in some major extra work.  It's not as easy as saying you want to do both.  The good hitters and good pitchers work their asses off to get to that point.  These guys were great hitters in high school but as I said before that means nothing now, and many of them do get to swing in practice every now and then, and they more then show that they will not cut it!  and the ones that do, Like kevin thomas, endl, callahan, zimmy...get to hit!  If a guy is that great at batting he will bat!

To touch on a few posts back, I believe the league itself is stronger as the bottom teams are getting stronger and stonger....but I believe the top teams are way down in terms of national comparison to the big dogs.  The WIAC for as long as I remember has always had at least one sometimes 2 or 3 teams that I felt could go the series and do some damage.  I don't see that in any of the teams this year, and I don't view that as a plus for the conference.  having the all the top three teams drop in talent only means that the other teams that don't get a chance to compete usually are now alive...and I agree for the league that is good...but I also believe it is not good to not have at least one big gun to represent the conference successfully!  When's the last time the WIAC wasn't at the series?

[BigPoppa]

Something that crossed my mind ... is the WIAC a one-bid league this year? It's early enough to make it not so but late enough to start thinking about it.

OshDude- I was thinking the same thing last night. I the WIAC getting only one bid is a distinct possibility, though I do not see it happeneing.

[Bump_and_Run]

I know this has been talked about before but why don't more pitchers hit?  I heard Joel Delorit for UWSP can rake and hit over 20 HR'S in high school.  Why not let some of these guys bat if their that athletic?  Pitchers usually are your most athletic players.  Point really screwed up a few years ago not letting Tyler Techlin at least DH.  He was one of the best hitters the Appleton ever seen and never got an opportunity to hit just because he was a pitcher.  I know Zimmerman and Endl both hit but who else in recent years got a chance to swing it.  Point also could've let J.C. Reinke hit but I can understand why they didn't with the lineup they had already.

Joel Delorit hitting 20 HRs in High School is absolutly false!  He had maybe 2 or 3 his Senior yeah of high school, tops.  He was a contact hitter, not a power hitter. In Legion Baseball he hit 1 home run in 2006 and 1 home run in 2007.

[dukes]

I know this has been talked about before but why don't more pitchers hit?  I heard Joel Delorit for UWSP can rake and hit over 20 HR'S in high school.  Why not let some of these guys bat if their that athletic?  Pitchers usually are your most athletic players.  Point really screwed up a few years ago not letting Tyler Techlin at least DH.  He was one of the best hitters the Appleton ever seen and never got an opportunity to hit just because he was a pitcher.  I know Zimmerman and Endl both hit but who else in recent years got a chance to swing it.  Point also could've let J.C. Reinke hit but I can understand why they didn't with the lineup they had already.

Dude, you must be joking. Do you really think a pitcher is your most athletic person on the team? Have you ever seen how awkward they are doing anything except pitching? I would agree they may be the most athletic as they develop, but past about high school, they no longer are. And if they are, your team is in trouble.

I believe there are many things that play into a coaches decision of whether or not to let his pitcher hit. In my opinion this also applies to the guys who play a position and pitch as well. At most colleges I know, when kids come in as freshman they are tested out to see where they will best be used. So the guys who were two way guys in high school with both hitting and pitching get the opportunity to do both. Most schools probably already have incumbent position players in upper classman so it is tougher to get at bats. Early on there is usually a distinction made of whether you will be a pitcher only, hitter only, or both. With a limited number of at bats and innings, both in practice and during the season, the utilization of those resources must be conserved, meaning it is pointless to spend any energy or batting practice time or at bats on a pitcher. It sounds great that you can work on your own to get at bats, but truth is if you are not working with the coaches showing you ability in practice/games, you will not be seen.

The same reason that pitchers do not hit is also why there arent as many guys who pitch considerable innings and play a position, because as you get to more elite levels you must focus on specific skills to play at that high level.  Many examples exist in college baseball. Recently, look at the show that Zimmerman put on, but CSS usually has a few good two way guys, like Steve Gerten last year during the regional, St. Thomas used Dan Leslie that way. In the majors are examples to in the likes of Rick Ankiel, Micah Owings, Carlos Zambrano, Livan Hernandez, and Mike Hamptom come to mind as guys who could hit well for a pitcher. (Also that one guy for the brewers who would pitch and hit now and then, but I dont remember his name). My point being, even those guys with big league talent both ways, still have to focus on one or the other to be successful at a high level.

[cubs]

UWO 5
UWW 0    Top 2nd

Fosler seems to be a "thorn" in Whitewater's side this season, as he smacks a two-out, two-run double in the first.  (He was 5x8 in the first DH this season against the Warhawks.)  M. Fadness follows with a two-run single, and Hiroskey caps off the inning with a RBI triple.

Hooper vs Rubens in Game #1 today at Oshkosh. 

I expected Rubens to get the start in Game #1, but thought Dott would be going in Game #1 for Whitewater instead of Hooper.

Now the question is, what will the starters for Game #2 look like?  My guess is Dott vs Kannenberg, unless Kannenberg has to pitch in relief in Game #1.  If that is the case, I'm guessing Demmin will get the nod, as he has pitched pretty well since returning from Florida.

An additional point of interst, UWO is playing without Brad Demmin again, making it  seven straight games he has been out of the starting line-up.

[BigPoppa]

An additional point of interst, UWO is playing without Brad Demmin again, making it  seven straight games he has been out of the starting line-up.

Any idea why he is out of the line-up yet?