BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[szlongball]

Apparently because of the weather forecast, the WW/Point series has been pushed back to 5/4 and 5/5

Glad to hear that, rumor was a trip to the dome. Forecast looks good for Sunday and Monday.

[OshDude]

If Point is going to have any chance, they have to cut down on the errors. Can't give any team 4 or 5 outs in an inning. Solid defense, would go a long way, as well a timely hitting. Point had 13 hits in both games, should have been able to put up more than 4 runs.

I've noticed Bushong has been on and off the field lately, with Fritz moving to the IF. Good move if you ask me. Bushong can rake, but it's always been a coin flip in my mind whether he makes the plays on D. His errors come on the weirdest chances, at least against Oshkosh over the years.

If Coe can catch most games and someone else can play SS, Bushong at DH makes a lot of sense. I know he's not the only guy who makes errors in the league, but I was always sure Oshkosh would get at least 28 outs whenever Bushong was out there.

[ShineTime]

Larsen also makes his share of errors at 3B.  Bushong is actually pretty solid at SS but you hit it on the head he has had some costly errors over the years.  I agree with Coe behind the plate.  He needs to be back there all the time from here on out so they can use the DH better. I would like to see Schlosser go back to 3B, Fritz to 2B, and have Larsen DH.

[szlongball]

Coe catching every game the rest of the year would be nuts. He missed all of last year because of the serious injury he received in Florida. While he is having a good year, the wear and tear of catching every game would not bode well for his knee.
If you look at the errors league wide, no one is fielding  very well. Could it have anything to do with the weather, the amount of games played because of the weather, new guys, or just sloppy play by everyone?
With Point losing so many guys to graduation, it nice to see the freshman getting playing time. It looks like they will be okay next year.
Also going to gues that if Coach Bloom knew yesterday that the WW games would be Sunday and Monday, I got to believe he would have pitched differently in game 2 against Ripon.

[ShineTime]

Anyone know whether there's any truth that SPASH standout senior Pitcher/OF Cody Koback is going to Point next year?  I seen him play for Plover this past summer and he's an absolute stud who should definitely be playing D1.  From what I've heard he's had a bunch of D1 offers but may be staying here.  Question is will he pitch or play CF and replace Brandon Schiedler?  I am thinking with all the offense their losing to graduation they will need his bat in the lineup every day.  Outfield would look good with Surman in Left, Koback in Center, Spurney/Archambeau in right.  Assuming Arch would play First and Fritz SS.  Point will really need to either recruit a starting catcher or get a transfer.  Not sure that Bloom has the arm to be an effective catcher.  Thinking he will DH next year.  Doesn't appear Point will have a 3B or 2B either.  Hopefully Hemstead will be back and healthy to go with Nix, Delorit, and Williams.

[szlongball]

I would have to agree about catching position for Point. Hard to say how Bloom will recover from the fractured wrist(still may need surgery-time will tell). Steve Considine should get some playing time, so I would say he is still unproven. Several freshman are not seeing steady playing time, so they too are unproven.
Would be a nice addition if Kobuck(?) comes to Point. Arch played 1st base for the first ime in his career last year, so I don't think he would hurt the team at first. Also agree a healthy Hemstead, will solidify the starting rotation. Coach Bloom seems to do a pretty good job of recruiting so only time will tell what the 2009 Pointers will look like.

[cubs]

Anyone know whether there's any truth that SPASH standout senior Pitcher/OF Cody Koback is going to Point next year? 

As far as I know, he has not made a decision as of yet.....

[szlongball]

Former UW-Stevens Point pitcher Jordan Zimmermann promoted to AA Harrisburg today. Will report to the team on Monday. With the Potomac Nationals, Jordan was 3-1 with a 1.66 era.

[cubs]

With all the scheduled DH's being pushed back from Friday/Saturday to Sunday/Monday what kind of effect do you think it will have on WIAC Tournament next week?

The top teams like Whitewater, Oshkosh, and Stevens Point will have to weigh how much the regular season crown is worth.  I would guess all three teams will throw their #1 and #2 on Sunday, so that they could all come back on Friday with four days rest, since all three teams will play two games Friday regardless of whether they win or lose.

Teams like La Crosse, Platteville, and Superior have no margin of error as they need to win every game possible just to get into the tournament.  They can't plan ahead, which means that #1 seed MAY be even more valuable as you may be facing a depleted #4 seed.

Thoughts???

[OshDude]

With all the scheduled DH's being pushed back from Friday/Saturday to Sunday/Monday what kind of effect do you think it will have on WIAC Tournament next week?

The top teams like Whitewater, Oshkosh, and Stevens Point will have to weigh how much the regular season crown is worth.  I would guess all three teams will throw their #1 and #2 on Sunday, so that they could all come back on Friday with four days rest, since all three teams will play two games Friday regardless of whether they win or lose.

Teams like La Crosse, Platteville, and Superior have no margin of error as they need to win every game possible just to get into the tournament.  They can't plan ahead, which means that #1 seed MAY be even more valuable as you may be facing a depleted #4 seed.

Thoughts???

La Crosse already planned ahead by cancelling its DH against Lawrence at Fox Cities Stadium.
EDIT: I'm laying off the predictions for a while though. The horse I bet on today is now dead. That's enough of a sign for me.

[cubs]

Whitewater knocks off Point in Game #1 of today's DH 12-10....

[OshDude]

Game 1: UWO 5, PV 1

[ShineTime]

Point lost the first game without Eric Fritz, Tim Schlosser, Stuart Larsen, and Ben Warwick.  Nothing like letting yourself, teammates, coaches, fans, and teammates down!!  I have to say this is the most upset I've been in years and am glad I didn't make the trip down there this weekend.  Sounds from talking to some people that Point easily should've won the first game regardless and may take the 2nd game.  All Point fans can hope is the suspended guys play tomorrow and they sweep.

[cubs]

If Ripon returned anything of the team they had last year, they are pretty good.

That is the problem......

Ripon needed to replace SIX First Team All MWC selections, which included the entire middle of the infield at C, SS, and 2B.  They also need to replace 2007 MWC Player of the Year Jordan Baitinger (who threw the no-hitter at Regionals) along with one of their other top pitchers Greg Basthemer.

[BaseballFan]

Well looks like ripon finally played how everyone has been waiting for all year. Stevens Point needs to something with their remaining games or might find themselves in Ripons position where they need the tourney championship to get in.

CSS won their 12th straight UMAC title today after sweeping Bethany Lutheran. Finish regular season 29-4 most likely will receive a pool B bid barring any catastrophe in their conference tourney.