BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Babe Truth]

Yes there is a lot alongside the field that has a capacity of about 100 vehicles.  The warning signs are mostly ignored on weekends, and since classes will be over with for the semester Friday should be no problem. East Ave. does have parking on one side, and the short street that leads from East Ave. to the field has parking on both sides.
This Google map might help, you'll want to zoom in and slide it down to reveal the North Campus field:
http://tinyurl.com/dym8o3v

Here's an update on the tournament parking situation. It looks like the adjoining lot will not be available to the public, while there should still be the usual limited amount of nearby street parking.
The official policy will be:
Parking for all spectators will be held on the main campus in several of the main lots.  There will be a shuttle bus that runs continuously for them to get to the field.

I'd guess the most likely lots in use would be the ones on East Ave in front of the football stadium and across the street, about half a mile from the field.  I suppose I've probably walked that far at Miller Park.

[Babe Truth]

Taken from this week's Around the Nation:

The Mets recalled UW-La Crosse utility Vinny Rottino. This is Rottino's second stint in the majors in the last two years and fifth overall dating back to 2006. Through May 6 Rottino was 0-for-2 with both at-bats coming as a pinch hitter against the Diamondbacks.

Thanks for passing that along. Another sign that this is UWL's year?  What could be next - Jerry Augustine coming out of retirement with the Brewers?  Bill Schroeder rejoining the Packers?

[cubs]

Is it Friday morning yet? 

Like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, I just want the games to get started!!!

[biggio34]

Is it Friday morning yet? 

Like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, I just want the games to get started!!!

Going into it, I this is the most interesting WIAC tourney in years.  Can't wait to see how it shakes out.

I will take a stab at it...

Game 1: Point over WW
Game 2:  Osh over LAX
Game 3: WW over LAX
Game 4: Point over Osh
Game 5: WW over Osh
Game 6: WW over Point
Game 7: WW over Point

WW gets A bid, LAX gets C bid.  Point remains on bubble for C but misses out by a hair.  Everyone loses to St. Thomas at the regional.

[Babe Truth]

Yes it should be a very interesting weekend.
But while I was tempted to again mention February-like predictions, I've decided I must be clueless.  Why so much love here for 10-14 Oshkosh over 21-2 LAX, in their own 12-0 yard?  I mean, really, please explain that.  UWO is not at all a bad team, but still.

My own clueless attempt:

Game 1: UWL over UWO - another walk-off anyone? Gotta go with their depth, confidence & consistency
Game 2: SP over WW - Seidl throws another gem at them
Game 3: WW over UWO - too much firepower even with the wind blowing in
Game 4: UWL over SP - The game to see. Scray & Lauersdorf combine to keep Point a run or two short
Game 5: WW over SP - because they're the 2nd hottest team going, and that 3-1 series 2 weeks ago
Game 6: UWL over WW - Johnson's league-best 0.91 ERA makes the difference, along with the rested bullpen and a relaxed, balanced offense.

[biggio34]

Why so much love here for 10-14 Oshkosh over 21-2 LAX, in their own 12-0 yard?  I mean, really, please explain that.  UWO is not at all a bad team, but still.

I have no explanation.  All my picks are guesses that are based on nothing but a hunch, similar to my roulette strategy which rarely pays off.

Babe, do you really think LAX will save Johnson for the championship?  Why wouldn't they throw him in game 1 or 2?

[Babe Truth]

Kevin Johnson has been the #3 starter all season following Verthein and Scray, so I figure they'll keep the successful rotation in place. I suppose matchups and this season's results could possibly change things.  Verthein & Scray lost big to SP in that DH that was the season's low point but were effective against WW. KJ had good games against both.  Keep in mind Lauersdorf helped kick start the season turnaround that 2nd day in SP with a great outing to win the opener in relief -  5ip, 2h, 1er, 6K - so I could see him closing out Game 2 in my scenario.

[Babe Truth]

There has been a lot of rumor and speculation about the next step in the LAX baseball program's remarkable revival. This afternoon an official announcement is scheduled that can only be described as a Major Announcement. Huge.  All I can say is, if the bleachers did not get a badly needed new coat of paint this week, you will understand why.

[badgerwarhawk]

LaCrosse getting some love...

http://host.madison.com/sports/college/state-and-regional/college-baseball-uw-la-crosse-program-enjoying-grand-revival/article_0677b792-9a33-11e1-ac89-001a4bcf887a.html

[cubs]

Babe-
I don't think anyone is trying to "disrespect" La Crosse with their pick of Oshkosh in Game #1.  If I was to pick Oshkosh to beat La Crosse, my logic would be pretty simple.  They have a guy in Westphal who has only shown flashes of the pitcher he was last season when he was literally unbeatable.  If he just so happens to catch lightning in a bottle tomorrow morning, UWO would have a legitimate chance to upset the Eagles.  I think UWO is helped by the fact that Westphal didn't start against the Eagles in the four game series during the regular season.  (He pitched in relief in the 9-8 12 inning finale on three days rest.)   

Westphal is fully rested this time around which could be good or bad...  He hasn't pitched in nearly two weeks, so he should be strong, but will his command be there?  I guess we will find out in less than 24 hours.

BTW-If you held a gun to my head and made me predict a winner, I would likely pick La Crosse to knock off UWO in Game #1...

[Babe Truth]

I don't think it's intentional disrespect. Maybe more of an institutional memory or stubborn habit sort of thing - The "Big 3" rules! That's what I mean by February-like predictions.

Well, I think UWO fans might be wondering which Westphal will show up. Is he OK? He was not effective against LAX, maybe it was the 3 days rest. But I keep coming back to what I wrote here last week:
". . . a pitcher who has had a great run, but whose last WIAC start, against an offensively challenged 6-25 team, produced a line of 6 ip/13h/11r/6er."

[badgerwarhawk]

All four of LaCrosse's wins over Oshkosh were one run affairs and it took extra innings in two of the four.  While that is a testament to LaCrosse's ability to win the close one it also suggests that Oshkosh competed and wasn't that far away from winning a couple themselves.  A hit or an error here or there could be the difference and the first time around things fell on the Eagles's side.  Certainly, regardless of the season records, the thought that something could go the Titans' way this time around isn't somewhere out in left field. 

Personally I think LaCrosse will win the first game with or without someone holding a gun to my head.    However I have to admit that I am actually more focused and concerned with the outcome of game two. 

[cubs]

He was not effective against LAX, maybe it was the 3 days rest.

He has struggled coming on in relief throughout his career.  I'm not sure why, but he seems to be one of those guys that needs to go through his regular "routine."  If I'm not mistaken, he actually threw pretty well against La Crosse after his first inning of relief where La Crosse tied the game.  Unfortunately, the defense let him down in the 12th inning committing a pair of errors to allow the winning run to score.

[cubs]

But I keep coming back to what I wrote here last week:
". . . a pitcher who has had a great run, but whose last WIAC start, against an offensively challenged 6-25 team, produced a line of 6 ip/13h/11r/6er."

Most pitchers throw up a stinker once in awhile....

I would wager that Westphal's line tomorrow will look closer to the one he put up in previous starts against La Crosse during his career than the one he put up against Platteville his last start.

2009-3.1 IP, 6 hits, 1 run (earned,) 3 BB. 1 K
2010- 9 IP, 4 hits, 1 run (earned,) 3 BB, 5 K's
2011-7 IP, 5 hits, 1 run (unearned, ) 3 BB, 5 K's

[Babe Truth]

So here's the big news from La Crosse. The UWL and the La Crosse Loggers have announced a partnership. The Loggers "have committed to making an annual donation to the University sufficient in size to cover the baseball program's yearly fundraising needs." Though a few details still need to be ironed out, as early as next year the Eagles could be calling the city's Copeland Park their new home. It already would be without question the WIAC's finest facility, and upgrade plans call for an artificial turf infield and a new video board.
This is amazing.
Read all about it:
http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2012/5/9/BB_0509124122.aspx