BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[cubs]

Last suggestion would be to use Cummings as a pinch runner and that's it.  He's a SR but he's not getting it done offensively unless he gets a bunt hit.  Let Iverson or Krueger finish the year there so we have some experience there for next year. 

Not getting it done offensively?  Do you realize who leads the Pointers in on-base %?  That's right, none other than Mr. Cummings himself.  While his batting average may be lower than you like, there is no arguing the fact that he is getting on base at a pretty good clip.  He is doing what he needs to as far as setting the table for the top of the order.  Just because he isn't "slugging" it, doesn't mean he is an offensive liability.  In Game #1 yesterday, he had five plate appearances, and reached bsae all five times, with a single up the middle and a double to right center.  What more do you want from the guy?

[Brewers20]

Two big changes i think the Pointers need to make.
1) Find a starting line up and stick with it...I don' t know how you expect guys to get hot when they're either bouncing around the lineup all the time or only playing 50% of the time.  Schoch has one of the better averages on the team, but only hits about 50% of the time, to get guys in a groove, you have to leave them in the line up on a consistent basis, at least for a few consecutive games.

2) I know I said earlier that Zielke should stay as the closer, but thats when I was under the impression of don't fix whats not broken, well i think it's safe to say that the starting rotation for the Pointers could use some change.  So, I agree with Shinetime on this one, in that Zielke should get a shot at the rotation.  Koback is probably there most consistent pitcher thus far, and I think he should possibly be in the rotation as well.  His bat has cooled off, and maybe he would best suit the team as a starting pitcher right now. 

I love the Pointers, and all the guys on the team.  I believe that they can turn it around this year and turn some heads come tournament time.  Maybe it's just a matter of forgetting about wins and losses and winning the regular season crown and just going out and having fun!  Because everybody knows that you play your best ball when you're loose and relaxed.  If they do that the wins will come.

[Dagger]

changes of all sorts are clearly in order for the pointers right now, but to be honest with you (other than a select few) what changes are those?  Is it personnel issues, coaching, lack of senior leadership, etc...Sometimes you just cant simply replace a couple parts and expect everything to just fall into place.  This is a rebuilding year for the pointers, and while I never expected it to be as bad as it looks right now I did expect some struggles.

I agree that the lineup is shuffled way too much and that that fact will contribute to inconsistency at the plate!  You can say what you want, but getting moved all around the lineup affects the batters and can throw them from a groove. 

cummings is not an all conference player!  But he is a senior leader on the team and like cubs mentioned just finds a way to get on base.  Once on base he's one of the quickest guys in the league!  He is the perfect 9 hole guy to get on and spark the top of the order. 

zielke needs to start, end of debate on that one, and koback needs to be in the lineup also!

I'm going to go back to what I mentioned in an earlier post, and I believe this to be true and a big reason why the struggles are as bad as they are right now...they simply havn't had to deal with a season like this ever before, and that includes the coaching staff.  Not being around the team, it's hard for me to sit here and say that they aren't handling it correctly, but from a distance it seems to me that they just don't have the upperclassmen leadership to be able to lead the younger guys through this mess!  They don't have the star power that will come up with the big hit everytime you need it or strike a guy out, and so now they need to rely on playing a sound defensive game (which has been difficult at times for them this year) and do all the small things right.  That kind of ball is difficult for a young team to accomplish, and when the upperclassmen that you have really don't have much experience either, it's just asking for trouble.  Point graduated their entire infield last year including catcher and two outfielders!  Those players essentially made up the entire offense, and one that was a much higher octane than what is now taking the field.  I don't mean that as a disservice to this years team, but now they have a totally different makeup from what they have had in the past, and I think they are just struggling to try and play a different kind of ball.  You can't do what you've done in the past with this team and expect to win.   

The next six games will make or break points chances at a tournament berth!  how weird is that to be talking about?  I'm fine with them not making NCAA tourney this year, but they have to make the conference tournament....don't they?

[BaseballFan]

For you diehard Jordan Zimmermann fans, his start for the Washington Nationals was pushed back to Monday the 20th against the braves due the Nationals game being postponed yesterday

[Dagger]

that's good news for those that wanted to watch him...yay for tbs!

[poly god]

here's my opinion on what has to happen for the Pointers.
1. Koback has to pitch! He hit 91 on the gun in the 1st inning and the last inning he pitched. He's too good not to use. Plus he's got a little mean streak in him.
2. Berry goes to long relief. He struggled against Stout and loses alot on his fastball after a couple innings.
3. Zielke stays at closer.
4. As far as the lineup goes. I don't know. The only thing I do know is that Bloom will have the same problem next year because all those guys will be back.
Hitting with guys on base would cure alot of their issues.

[BigPoppa]

here's my opinion on what has to happen for the Pointers.
1. Koback has to pitch! He hit 91 on the gun in the 1st inning and the last inning he pitched. He's too good not to use. Plus he's got a little mean streak in him.
2. Berry goes to long relief. He struggled against Stout and loses alot on his fastball after a couple innings.
3. Zielke stays at closer.
4. As far as the lineup goes. I don't know. The only thing I do know is that Bloom will have the same problem next year because all those guys will be back.
Hitting with guys on base would cure alot of their issues.

That is true for EVERY program.

[BoBo]

A huge weekend on tap in conference action:

Superior at Whitewater : Warhawks should take 4 from the 'jackets - no, actually need to take 4 if they want to remain in the chase - but take nothing for granted with this match-up this year.  When will WW start to hit?

Stevens Point at La Crosse : Pointers needs to take 3 of 4 if they want anyone to believe they can get into the race...La Crosse is playing well & at home, so a sweep to keep pace with Oshkosh is a distinct possibility...if so, put a fork in the Pointers, they're done.

Platteville at Oshkosh : Titans takes 3 of 4 to remain firmly planted in the drivers seat before their mid-week pair at Stevens Point.

Of course, these are just my observations and opinions, anybody else care to offer a forcast?

[badgerwarhawk]

Thanks Oshdude.  I see they've maintained the double elimination format.

[OshDude]

Oof. Wasn't able to make it today. I hope someone is at Tiedemann and will let us know what in the wide world of sports is happening over there. UWP is just mashing UWO.

It's 10-0 UWP heading into the bottom of the first in Game 2? That's after UWP won 15-10 in Game 1? Sheesh. Congrats, Pioneers, I guess.

[BaseballFan]

Oof. Wasn't able to make it today. I hope someone is at Tiedemann and will let us know what in the wide world of sports is happening over there. UWP is just mashing UWO.

It's 10-0 UWP heading into the bottom of the first in Game 2? That's after UWP won 15-10 in Game 1? Sheesh. Congrats, Pioneers, I guess.

The WIAC is truly a mess

UWW slips by UWS 10-8 in game 1

[OshDude]

Check it ... 16-10 in Game 1. Don't wanna shortchange the Platteville merry-go-round. Now 11-0 bottom 2 ... LOL. I may have disrupted the universe by not being there. I'll take the blame for this day to forget. Well, so far a day to forget.

[BoBo]

Warhawks take game two 15-4.

Recap and Box Scores

'Hawks start to hit a little - for the day, Zalnis goes  3x7, (2 hr in game 1), knocking in eight and scoring four. Matt Beyer went 3x8 while tallying four runs and four RBIs.  Ryan Leavitt also had a nice day at the plate going 4x6 while scoring three and knocking in two.

[BoBo]

Platteville finishes the sweep, winning game two in a mercy rule, 14-3.  The 10 first inning runs scored on 7 hits, 2 errors, 1 hbp, 1 walk.  Mrkvicka gets only 1 out in that inning before getting the hook.

Even with not knowing what happened in La Crosse, it's already been an interesting beginning to the weekend.  Neither La Crosse or Stevens Point are reporting anything as of this time.

In the WIAC, if today in Oshkosh is any indication, what goes around, truly does come around. 

[ShineTime]

A friend told me Point one game 1 16-6 and game 2 14-5 but I think he was drunk.  I cannot see that happening and am guessing he was just changing it around.  I would be shocked if Point won a game yet killed them.