BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[forheavendial4999]

A quote from today's local paper:
"The best line I heard from (Wooster's) coach was after our third, hotly contested game (the Titans won 2-1). I remember he said 'We'll be better on Thursday,'" Lechnir said. "Of course I told him 'We will too,' and that's the game we won 17-1. Believe me, they weren't happy."

The article closes with these two paragraphs:
While it remains to be seen how the conference will play out, with ranked powerhouses like UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater also expecting to be WIAC champions, UWO's confidence, and so far, winning ways, have returned.

"I think you'll see us return to what we consider fairly normal around here," Lechnir said.

To this Oshkosh guy, it's nice to see the swagger back. I hope the good start is indicative of how the season will go.

Classic Lechnir .

Sounds like Pettorini earned it in this case. Lechnir was just responding to him.

Then UWO hands it to them and they steal down 17 runs to try to scratch one across.

I wonder if these two will play next year. They should play up north, even if it's a cold day, the coaches would provide plenty of hot air at field level!

[ballfan55]

Keep in mind the 17-1 drubbing was the last of four games in a row that UW-O played against then 16th ranked Wooster and the Titans won them all.  There may have been a tad bit bad blood built up between the two by then.

The one question I had is when it was 10-0 in the seventh why didn't the "mercy rule" go into effect?

[Just Bill]

Keep in mind the 17-1 drubbing was the last of four games in a row that UW-O played against then 16th ranked Wooster and the Titans won them all.  There may have been a tad bit bad blood built up between the two by then.

The one question I had is when it was 10-0 in the seventh why didn't the "mercy rule" go into effect?

Both teams need to agree before the game to invoke the mercy rule. It's not automatic. Apparently they decided not to. Sometimes those extra two innings allow coaches to get other kids into games.

[biggio34]

Keep in mind the 17-1 drubbing was the last of four games in a row that UW-O played against then 16th ranked Wooster and the Titans won them all.  There may have been a tad bit bad blood built up between the two by then.

The one question I had is when it was 10-0 in the seventh why didn't the "mercy rule" go into effect?

Both teams need to agree before the game to invoke the mercy rule. It's not automatic. Apparently they decided not to. Sometimes those extra two innings allow coaches to get other kids into games.

And to allow regulars to reach, All Conference, All Region and All American status. 

[Bronko7]

It's very surprising that the mercy rule was not put into play, I know a lot of the places that host these college teams in the spring write in a provision that states that all 9 inning games will have the mercy rule enforced to keep play moving on these fields as to keep the schedules in order.

[8404DOC]

It's very surprising that the mercy rule was not put into play, I know a lot of the places that host these college teams in the spring write in a provision that states that all 9 inning games will have the mercy rule enforced to keep play moving on these fields as to keep the schedules in order.

The schedule for the tourney allowed for ample time between games plus I don't think they had a full slate of teams as some of the fields, especially in Fort Meyers went unused. I don't think any games were pushed back during the time UWO was there even though some with higher scores went longer than usual.

[ballfan55]

I agree with that, it was just surprising.  Actually it gave me time to finish my lunch before getting to the field for the Carroll game.  

Actually I just went back and read the tournament rules and it says there is no 10 run rule.

[8404DOC]

I hear there is still a ton of snow on the outfield and allot of water on the infield at Oshkosh, anybody have eyes on to give an opinion if the games this weekend will happen? Heard they may be moved to Platteville if they can't get the field ready.

[badgerwarhawk]

The WARHAWKS took both ends of the double hitter with Ripon today 19-4 and 14-5.  Leading 7-2 after three innings of the first game the WARHAWKS scored a pair in the fifth, single runs in the sixth and seventh and eight runs in the eighth.  Riley Tincher (2-1) got the win by pitching 5 innings giving up 2 runs, both earned, on 4 hits with 3 walks and strikeouts.  Justin Lambert relieved him going 2 innings allowing a pair of runs, one earned, on 1 hit, 2 strikeouts without a walk.  Tom Kerndt and Eric Schmitz each pitched a hit less inning and combined for three strikeouts.  The WARHWKS pounded out 25 hits in the game.  Andrew Eichstaedt led the way going 4x6 (3 RS, 2 RBI). Dan Putnam, 3x5 (RS, double), Rob Coe, 3x6 (2 RS), Jeff Donovan, 3x5 (1 RBI) and Sam Keller 3x5 (2 RS, 2 RBI, 2 doubles) all had three hits.  Steve Bartlein (double), Ryan Leavitt, Matt Beyer (2 doubles), Travis Wessels, Nathan Boltz and Dylan Friend (2 RBI, home run) all had RBI.  The WARHAWKS left 14 runners on base.

Jeff  Donovan (3-0) went five innings surrendering one run (earned) on 2 hits without a walk and three strikeouts to pick up the win in game two.  Colin Grove (1 hit, 0 runs, 1 k), Kyle Lee ( 3 hits, 5 runs (4 er), 1 bb, 2 K), Matt Roberts (1 hit, 0 runs, 1 K) and Rob Coe (1 hit, 0 runs) each pitched an inning in relief.   The WARHAWKS led 13-1 after six innings before Ripon put 5 on the board in the seventh.    The sixteen hit offense was led by Beyer who was 4x5 (3 RS. RBI, 2 doubles).  Putnam 3x5 (3RS, 2 RBI, triple), Coe 3x5 (2 RS, RBI, 2 doubles), Donovan 3x5 (RS, RBI, 2 doubles) had a multiple hit game.  Eichstaedt (1x3, 2 RS, 2 RBI, double) and Dylan Friend each had an extra base hit while Brent Young added an RBI.

The use of the new bats was evident today as there were at least a half dozen hits that would have easily cleared the fence using last years bats.  All of them either hit the fence or fell just short of it today.  The wind blowing in also had some impact but most of it was due to the bats.  They will keep balls in the park that wouldn't have in the past.   

[cubs]

I hear there is still a ton of snow on the outfield and allot of water on the infield at Oshkosh, anybody have eyes on to give an opinion if the games this weekend will happen? Heard they may be moved to Platteville if they can't get the field ready.

Games will be played this weekend, however they will be played in Platteville.  Oshkosh had their tarp on the infield, however the outfield is just too wet from all of the melted snow.  There actually isn't any snow on the field, but without some heavy winds, it's going to take some time for the field to dry out.

If Oshkosh is a true contender for the WIAC title this season, they need to take all four against Platteville, regardless of if they are played in Oshkosh or Platteville.  For the record, the last time UWO was able to take all four from the Pioneers was 2004.

[cubs]

Nice too see Whitewater take a pair from Ripon today, even if Ripon is a shell of what they used to be.  Have to admit I was a bit surprised to see Whitewater throw two of their top guys five innings each, with four WIAC games coming up on Saturday and Sunday.  It only gives them two days rest if they come back and throw on Sunday.  I know they brought back Tincher and Hooper on short rest quite a bit last season, but with it being early in the year one would think they would want to avoid putting too much stress on the arm, especially with the cool temperatures.

[biggio34]

Nice too see Whitewater take a pair from Ripon today, even if Ripon is a shell of what they used to be.  Have to admit I was a bit surprised to see Whitewater throw two of their top guys five innings each, with four WIAC games coming up on Saturday and Sunday.  It only gives them two days rest if they come back and throw on Sunday.  I know they brought back Tincher and Hooper on short rest quite a bit last season, but with it being early in the year one would think they would want to avoid putting too much stress on the arm, especially with the cool temperatures.

Maybe they figure they won't need their top arms to beat UWS.  I agree that it would be strange to be bouncing guys on 2 days rest this early in the season in this type of weather.

[Just Bill]

Stevens Point has already postponed theit Saturday DH against St. Norbert.

[cubs]

Conference action opened up today around the conference.

In Game #1 in Whitewater, Whitewater defeats Superior 6-2.  Superior committed 6 errors, including 2 in the 7th inning on a pair of bunts, which allowed the Warhawks to score 4 unearned runs and turned a 2-1 game into a 6-1 game.  Whitewater gets a solid outing from Justin Lambert, who gives up just one run on 8 hits in 8 innings of work.  He walked two and struck out five.

In Game #1 at Platteville, Platteville scores three runs in the 9th inning to win 3-2.  Jeremy Rubens held the Pioneers to just two hits through 8 innings and looked like he was cruising to a 1-0 victory.  However, the Pioneers get back-to-back extra base hits to lead off the 9th inning and tie the game 1-1.  After an intentional walk and failed pick-off attempt allowed runners to move up to 2nd and 3rd, the Pioneers got a two run single from Trevor Kattre to take a 3-1 lead.  Rubens allowed another double, before being relieved by Mrkvicka.  The three extra base hits by the Pioneers in the 9th inning were the first extra base hits allowed by Rubens all season in over 25 innings of work.  The Titans actually outhit the Pioneers 11-6, but were unable to get that clutch hit.  They had the bases loaded with just one out in the bottom of the 9th inning, but a Hiroskey fly out and Grabig strike out sandwiched around an RBI walk by Dostalek was all they could muster.  It was a fitting end to a game which saw Oshkosh leave 14 runners on base.

[BoBo]

Conference action opened up today around the conference.

In Game #1 in Whitewater, Whitewater defeats Superior 6-2.  Superior committed 6 errors, including 2 in the 7th inning on a pair of bunts, which allowed the Warhawks to score 4 unearned runs and turned a 2-1 game into a 6-1 game.  Whitewater gets a solid outing from Justin Lambert, who gives up just one run on 8 hits in 8 innings of work.  He walked two and struck out five.

In Game #1 at Platteville, Platteville scores three runs in the 9th inning to win 3-2.  Jeremy Rubens held the Pioneers to just two hits through 8 innings and looked like he was cruising to a 1-0 victory.  However, the Pioneers get back-to-back extra base hits to lead off the 9th inning and tie the game 1-1.  After an intentional walk and failed pick-off attempt allowed runners to move up to 2nd and 3rd, the Pioneers got a two run single from Trevor Kattre to take a 3-1 lead.  Rubens allowed another double, before being relieved by Mrkvicka.  The three extra base hits by the Pioneers in the 9th inning were the first extra base hits allowed by Rubens all season in over 25 innings of work.  The Titans actually outhit the Pioneers 11-6, but were unable to get that clutch hit.  They had the bases loaded with just one out in the bottom of the 9th inning, but a Hiroskey fly out and Grabig strike out sandwiched around an RBI walk by Dostalek was all they could muster.  It was a fitting end to a game which saw Oshkosh leave 14 runners on base.

Whitewater ended the day sweeping Superior, winning game two easily 17-1 in 7 innings. The Warhawks put the game out of reach early, scoring 4 times in each the first and second innings, then tacking on 6 more on 5 hits & 2 Superior errors in the third. Kyle Lee got the win going 5.0 innings of 2 hit ball with 2 strikeouts, & 0 walks in relief of Colin Grove (1.0 innings 1H, 2 BB, 2SO), to up his record to 2-0 on the season. Andrew Eichstaedt led the way for the 'hawks with a 4-5 1HR, 3RS, 4 RBI's, & 1 SB performance in game 2.  Daniel Putnam was also 4-5 (2 1B, Double, Triple) 3 RS from his lead off spot. Putnam continued at a torrid pace at the plate going 7-10 on the day. He goes into sunday with an 11 game hit streak - 8 of them multi-hit games - and batting .604 on the season.  Travis Wessels went 5-9 in the DH'er, 3 RS and 4 RBI's.

Oshkosh got a 5 hit, 9 SO complete game from Phil Schreiber to win the nightcap in Platteville 5-0.