BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BigPoppa]

One thing to factor is for defense is that Linfield and Whitewater play the majority of their games on TURF... Appleton is not turf so the defensive numbers could be a bit different for those two teams.

[108 Stitches]

Good point, however I bet Appleton is not your typical "D3 college field". I am sure there are stats somewhere, but how did Linfield do fielding last year?

[Westside]

Last year in Appleton, Linfield had 7 errors (1 in the outfield) in 5 games. But 4 of the errors were in the first game, so there may have been a little adjustment period.

The same thing happened to Linfield in 2010, when they had 9 errors in 5 games after being one of the top fielding teams in the nation.

I don't think it was the switch from turf to grass, specifically. I recall talking to some players from those teams and it was more the firmness of the dirt, so it played differently from the grass fields they had played on throughout the year.

This year, Linfield played 9 league games on grass fields... and they committed 12 errors.

So make of that what you will.

[Spence]

Playing on turf, is .964 really that good?

[mr_b]

Playing on turf, is .964 really that good?

I'd hazard a guess that a .960 clip over 40+ games is good, and .970 is excellent.  What would be more informative is the breakdown of field-related errors versus throwing errors.

[Spence]

I just know that St. Thomas has had teams on turf that fielded in the .975 neighborhood and their coaches have acknowledged that the turf helps significantly in that.

So if Whitewater played on grass, would they be fielding more like Baldwin-Wallace? That was more the thought.

[badgerwarhawk]

Playing on turf, is .964 really that good?

I'd hazard a guess that a .960 clip over 40+ games is good, and .970 is excellent.  What would be more informative is the breakdown of field-related errors versus throwing errors.

We have 62 errors on the season.  31 of them are fielding, 29 are throwing and 2 are interference errors.   

Undoubtedly our offense has helped to offset what defensive problems we've had.  I don't think that is impacted that much by playing on turf and we're not really a home run oriented offense so the deeper fences in Appleton shouldn't be a significant factor.  If anything the additional area in the outfield could even benefit us. 

[badgerwarhawk]

D3baseball.com All American team released.

First Team:
Taylor Kohlwey - LaCrosse
Kyle McHugh - Stevens Point

Second Team:
Mikole Pierce - WHITEWATER
Cole Cefalu - LaCrosse

Third Team:
Luke Watson - Stevens Point

Honorable Mention:
Tom Fairbanks - Superior

[ShineTime]

I wish mchugh wouldve been eligible last year for point.

[bleedpurple]

Several early morning thoughts after watching UW-W cruise to an 8-1 victory over Southern Maine.

*The physical difference between the teams was striking to me. UW-W just looked like bigger and stronger kids up and down the line-up.

*Plaza was outstanding. In complete control during his 7 innings.

*Pierce was a beast. Hit the ball hard all night long.

*While UW-W hit the ball well, they also had some bloopers fall in for them last night.

*UW-W played really good defense. They made some very good plays in both the infield and outfield. Miscues in the last inning did lead to a Southern Maine run, but  by then UW-W had an 8-0 lead.

*The SM right fielder made an incredible catch on Pierce, got the ball in to double up the base runner. Most of the UW-W fans just stood and clapped. What else is there to do on a play like that?  Two runs would have scored and Pierce would have been on third base, but that great play ended the inning. Their second baseman also made a very nice play to save a run.

*Bob Berezowitz made an outstanding catch of a foul pop-up. Then the grandpa came out in him and he gave the ball to a little girl sitting nearby.

[ShineTime]

Looks like whitewater is going to complete the trifecta.

[02 Warhawk]

Looks like whitewater is going to complete the trifecta.

They'll try at least. I assume they have to sit tight and wait a couple of games for their opponent?

[ShineTime]

The NCAA should have stout drive over to play they have a better shot of beating whitewater than any team in the field.

[bleedpurple]

Really impressive run by the Hawks. Currently 7-0 in the NCAA playoffs.  There are a lot of positives to point to in their tournament performances.  Beyond the obvious, I think two of the things that have really helped them:

*Over 3 World series games, there have been 7 different innings in which the opponents have scored.  Five times the Hawks have come back to score in their very next at bat.   (I'm not including the "who cares" 9th innings in which they gave up single runs to Southern Maine and St. Thomas because UW-W didn't bat again after those innings).
I think this reflects a determination and a "refuse to lose" attitude.

*Limiting big innings.  In three games, UW-W has not given up 3 runs or more in any inning yet in the World Series.  They have given up 2 runs in an inning just twice in 3 games.  By contrast, the Warhawks have had 2 innings of scoring at least 3 runs in each game.  That's 6 total times the Warhawks have scored at least 3 runs in an inning while not allowing ANY 3 run innings so far in the World Series.

Well done Hawks! Get some rest tomorrow and come back on fire Tuesday. You've earned this opportunity. Go get it! 

[cubs]

Looks like whitewater is going to complete the trifecta.

They'll try at least. I assume they have to sit tight and wait a couple of games for their opponent?

They get Monday off, while Southern Maine, Emory, and St. Thomas play a pair of games to see who will need to beat Whitewater twice on Tuesday.

The BIG advantage with the win by Whitewater tonight is getting an additional day of rest for their pitching staff, while the other three teams are using arms just to get to Tuesday.  If you are Whitewater, you are pulling for the winner of game on on Monday to win game two as well, since they will have burned through more of their pitching depth.

Regardless, I would venture to bet we will see Plaza throw the first game on Tuesday as he will have had three days rest.