BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[cubs]

Oshkosh drops Game #1 to St. Thomas today by a score of 3-1.

After jumping ahead 1-0 in the second inning thanks to a Tyler Kamps double and an errant pick-off attempt, the Titans struggled offensively against UST's Steve Maher.  Maher retired 10 straight batters starting with the last out in the second inning until being relieved by Dylan Thomas in the sixth inning.   

UWO's Brock Guetzke nearly matched Maher, but unearned runs in the third and fourth innings gave the Tommies a 2-1 lead.  UST manufactured an insurance run in the fifth inning to build their lead to 3-1.

Frehsman Luke Gajewski promptly greeted Thomas in the sixth inning with a lead off single, and fellow freshman Michael Polcyn doubled to put runners on second and third with one out.  Thomas was able to strand both runners however as he struck out both Guetzke and Kamps (the Titans #3 and #4 hitters) to get out of the inning.  UWO went quietly in the seventh inning as Thomas struck out the side.  UST out-hits the Titans 6-3 for the game.

I'm guessing Game #2 will see Gapinski vs Westphal...

[cubs]

St. Thomas completes the sweep knocking off UWO 7-1 in the nightcap.  Reigning Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year Luke Westphal gives up six runs (four earned) on 11 hits and 3 walks while striking out seven in six innings of work.  Freshman Michael Swift came on in relief and allowed a lead-off double which scored after a pair of ground-outs for the final UST run.

Bryce Gapinski followed Maher's gem in the first game with one of his own, giving up just one run on four hits while striking out 10 and walking none in the CG victory.  He faced just four batters over the minimum.

Oshkosh will return to action next week, as they play another pair of doubleheaders against St. John's and Northwestern at the Metrodome on Sunday and Monday.

[ShineTime]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

[tomt4525]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

[tomt4525]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

I now see that he's been starting at 3B for the Titans, which changes things some for sure.  Gerber is fantastic defensively as well so I'm not sure they would move him to first for Polcyn, but maybe Polcyn could take Hanke's spot at 1B.  The two games I saw of Hanke was less than impressive.

[cubs]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

The kid has 2 errors in 14 chances in his first four games playing third base for the first time in his career at the collegiate level.  You make it sound like he is a butcher!!   

I'll give you that Jirschele is solid with the glove as evidenced by his Midwest Region Gold Glove award last season and National Gold Glove award in 2010.  As far as Douglas however, I think he needs to prove he is as solid as you say.  He played the OF last season, unable to beat out the incumbent SS who racked up E's like he was buying vowels on on Wheel of Fortune the previous two seasons (24 and 17 respectively.)

[cubs]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

I now see that he's been starting at 3B for the Titans, which changes things some for sure.  Gerber is fantastic defensively as well so I'm not sure they would move him to first for Polcyn, but maybe Polcyn could take Hanke's spot at 1B.  The two games I saw of Hanke was less than impressive.

Being "fantastic" at first base is one thing, but I need to see Gerber play more than two games at third base before I agree with him being a fantastic third baseman.  The guy has had a grand total of four chances thus far in the 2012 season.

[ShineTime]

My biggest concern with Douglas is his arm strength.  I don't think it's anywhere near Fritz or Bushong's over the years.  The kid can field and track down anything but I just said I feel he's better suited at CF or 2B.  I agree with Cubs about Gerber.  He can rake no doubt but I think he needs to be at first.  I'm not as confident about Point as a lot of people in the country are at this point especially the #5 ranking.  I think at this point their top 25 but not sure about #5.  Not sure they have the elite #1 and #2 pitcher to be a top 5.  I think they have some obvious holes that I'm not sure are going to be filled this year.  They have a ton of great young kids though hopefully the pitching will be better than what I think.  We'll see how they stack up against St. Thomas.  We know they'll face Edwards.

[cubs]

My biggest concern with Douglas is his arm strength.  I don't think it's anywhere near Fritz or Bushong's over the years.  The kid can field and track down anything but I just said I feel he's better suited at CF or 2B.  I agree with Cubs about Gerber.  He can rake no doubt but I think he needs to be at first.  I'm not as confident about Point as a lot of people in the country are at this point especially the #5 ranking.  I think at this point their top 25 but not sure about #5.  Not sure they have the elite #1 and #2 pitcher to be a top 5.  I think they have some obvious holes that I'm not sure are going to be filled this year.  They have a ton of great young kids though hopefully the pitching will be better than what I think.  We'll see how they stack up against St. Thomas.  We know they'll face Edwards.

Edwards was a senior last season....  If they face UST's ace, it will be either Steve Maher (3-0 with a 0.98 ERA in three starts) or Bryce Gapinski (2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts) the same two guys that UWO faced yesterday.

[BigPoppa]

Third Base is an offensive position. You are willing to trade defensive mistakes for the offense production.

[tomt4525]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

I now see that he's been starting at 3B for the Titans, which changes things some for sure.  Gerber is fantastic defensively as well so I'm not sure they would move him to first for Polcyn, but maybe Polcyn could take Hanke's spot at 1B.  The two games I saw of Hanke was less than impressive.

Being "fantastic" at first base is one thing, but I need to see Gerber play more than two games at third base before I agree with him being a fantastic third baseman.  The guy has had a grand total of four chances thus far in the 2012 season.

This whole argument started over Shinetime's absurd statement about Polcyn being Position Player of the Year.  I think it's safe to say to be Position Player of the Year you have to be the best at your position in the league. How could you be Player of the Year and not be??  With a preseason All American at Polcyn's position, it's hard to make that argument that he's the best 3B.  In fact, I think Kamps and Van Abel have much better chances at Position Player of the Year than does Polcyn.  So, to back my opinion of Polcyn having a very slim chance at this distinction I wanted to point out that I don't think he would play the field for Point and DH's don't win a Player of the Year.  I'm sure this comes off as I'm knocking Polcyn's ability, I'm not trying to and I have no doubts this kid is going to be a guy the rest of the WIAC doesn't want to face.  I just value experience and believe upperclassmen definitely have a huge leg up on postseason awards.

My bringing up Gerber, Jirschele and Douglas' defensive skills stems from me watching their opening doubleheader in the Metrodome.  I watched this trio have large parts in turning 6 or 7 double plays, in which a few of them were plays not many in D3 would make in my opinion.  I was with a friend and we talked more about how sound Point's infield defense was then Shilter's 4x4 game.

[cubs]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

I now see that he's been starting at 3B for the Titans, which changes things some for sure.  Gerber is fantastic defensively as well so I'm not sure they would move him to first for Polcyn, but maybe Polcyn could take Hanke's spot at 1B.  The two games I saw of Hanke was less than impressive.

Being "fantastic" at first base is one thing, but I need to see Gerber play more than two games at third base before I agree with him being a fantastic third baseman.  The guy has had a grand total of four chances thus far in the 2012 season.

This whole argument started over Shinetime's absurd statement about Polcyn being Position Player of the Year.  I think it's safe to say to be Position Player of the Year you have to be the best at your position in the league. How could you be Player of the Year and not be??  With a preseason All American at Polcyn's position, it's hard to make that argument that he's the best 3B.  In fact, I think Kamps and Van Abel have much better chances at Position Player of the Year than does Polcyn.  So, to back my opinion of Polcyn having a very slim chance at this distinction I wanted to point out that I don't think he would play the field for Point and DH's don't win a Player of the Year.  I'm sure this comes off as I'm knocking Polcyn's ability, I'm not trying to and I have no doubts this kid is going to be a guy the rest of the WIAC doesn't want to face.  I just value experience and believe upperclassmen definitely have a huge leg up on postseason awards.

My bringing up Gerber, Jirschele and Douglas' defensive skills stems from me watching their opening doubleheader in the Metrodome.  I watched this trio have large parts in turning 6 or 7 double plays, in which a few of them were plays not many in D3 would make in my opinion.  I was with a friend and we talked more about how sound Point's infield defense was then Shilter's 4x4 game.

Few things....

1.  Without going back and looking at the previous winners, I can think of at least one guy off of the top of my head that won the Position Player of the Year award that wasn't the best player at his position.  Vince Mancuso...  He just put up such good offensive numbers that what he did in the field didn't even matter.

2.  Gerber's Preseason All American award was as a first baseman, not a third baseman.  BIG difference!!!

3.  They had four double plays in their opening DH at the Metrodome.

Anyway, my money is on Jirschele to win the Position Player of the Year this season.

[BigPoppa]

Is it me or does anyone else think it would be fun to see All-Conference teams battle head to head with other conferences in a post-season tourney? I know it is not feasible, but I think the WIAC would be pretty solid... maybe at the top?! I can see the SCIAC and ASC producing quality teams 1-9 and on the mound as well, but what other conferences would compete? Maybe the MIAC simply based on the arms that St. Thomas pumps out year after year.

[OshDude]

Is it me or does anyone else think it would be fun to see All-Conference teams battle head to head with other conferences in a post-season tourney? I know it is not feasible, but I think the WIAC would be pretty solid... maybe at the top?! I can see the SCIAC and ASC producing quality teams 1-9 and on the mound as well, but what other conferences would compete? Maybe the MIAC simply based on the arms that St. Thomas pumps out year after year.

I think most conferences would run a great team out there. The LEC, OAC, CCIW, USAS, NJAC and many more.

[tomt4525]

St. Thomas is looking like the team to beat in the Midwest.  They appear to have the best 1-2 punch for pitching.  Polcyn is off to a great start.

At the plate, yes...not so much defensively....stand by my statement that Polcyn wouldn't start in the field for Point.  Jirschele and Douglas are about as good as it gets in D3 up the middle.

I now see that he's been starting at 3B for the Titans, which changes things some for sure.  Gerber is fantastic defensively as well so I'm not sure they would move him to first for Polcyn, but maybe Polcyn could take Hanke's spot at 1B.  The two games I saw of Hanke was less than impressive.

Being "fantastic" at first base is one thing, but I need to see Gerber play more than two games at third base before I agree with him being a fantastic third baseman.  The guy has had a grand total of four chances thus far in the 2012 season.

This whole argument started over Shinetime's absurd statement about Polcyn being Position Player of the Year.  I think it's safe to say to be Position Player of the Year you have to be the best at your position in the league. How could you be Player of the Year and not be??  With a preseason All American at Polcyn's position, it's hard to make that argument that he's the best 3B.  In fact, I think Kamps and Van Abel have much better chances at Position Player of the Year than does Polcyn.  So, to back my opinion of Polcyn having a very slim chance at this distinction I wanted to point out that I don't think he would play the field for Point and DH's don't win a Player of the Year.  I'm sure this comes off as I'm knocking Polcyn's ability, I'm not trying to and I have no doubts this kid is going to be a guy the rest of the WIAC doesn't want to face.  I just value experience and believe upperclassmen definitely have a huge leg up on postseason awards.

My bringing up Gerber, Jirschele and Douglas' defensive skills stems from me watching their opening doubleheader in the Metrodome.  I watched this trio have large parts in turning 6 or 7 double plays, in which a few of them were plays not many in D3 would make in my opinion.  I was with a friend and we talked more about how sound Point's infield defense was then Shilter's 4x4 game.

Few things....

1.  Without going back and looking at the previous winners, I can think of at least one guy off of the top of my head that won the Position Player of the Year award that wasn't the best player at his position.  Vince Mancuso...  He just put up such good offensive numbers that what he did in the field didn't even matter.

2.  Gerber's Preseason All American award was as a first baseman, not a third baseman.  BIG difference!!!

3.  They had four double plays in their opening DH at the Metrodome.

Anyway, my money is on Jirschele to win the Position Player of the Year this season.

Admittedly, I haven't followed WIAC baseball very long to talk about many previous Position Players of the Year...but to clarify that when I said best player at his position in the league, I meant when you combine both offense and defense.  My guess is that when you combine both categories, every Position Player of the Year would be considered the best at his position. 

I must have exaggerated the double plays as I didn't look back on the box score, I just went off of memory.  Point did get hosed on one double play though, there should have then had 5.  Jirschele made the best play of the day making a stab to his right on a hard hit ball and getting the lead runner out at 2nd base, Douglas made the throw to first to turn the double play and got the guy by a step...the ump called him safe though, pretty horrendous call and I wouldn't care much if it didn't take a little muster out of the great play Jirschele made.

I agree that being a Preseason All American at 1B is different then 3B, but does it really matter in this argument??  Either way, to be the best at his position in the WIAC, a freshman Polcyn has to contend with a returning All Conference performer who hit .400 last season and is getting preseason national notoriety.  Is it just me that thinks it's a little early to be throwing out Polcyn as the best position player in a very competitive league??