BB: Midwest Region

[cubs]

I'm not at all shocked by Oshkosh's start as their playing great teams.  If you look at UWSP the past few years they started out slow on their Florida trip even with Zimmerman and still made the world series.  Oshkosh is still definitely a contender to win the WIAC and go to the Series. 

UWSP, however, wasn't getting beat 15-8, 20-9, 12-3.  I think Titan fans should be concerned with those type of performances.  

I will be if those scores are still happening midway through the season!! 

There have been some games where true freshman have been starting at 3B (Sebesta,) SS (Jirschele,) and 2B (Eichstaedt.)  One would think with that young of an infield, there are going to be some "growing-pains" which probably explains the high amount of unearned runs being scored by UWO's opponents so far this season.  Also, I would be more concerned if it was Rubens, Kannenberg, and Mattson who were the ones giving up the big runs, but it has been the freshman arms for the most part (except for Demmin yesterday.)

[cubs]

Kyle Kannenberg with the start for UWO today on three days rest against St. Olaf. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Rubens finished Game #1 if it's tight and then starts Game #2 for his lone start of the trip, as both are important "in-region" games.

Well I was right about the first part....

Kannenberg goes 5.1 IP giving up one run and leaves with a 2-1 lead. 

Rubens comes in and proceeds to give up 5 runs, only one or two of which were earned, and St. Olaf leads 6-2.

St Olaf 6
UWO 2

Top of the 7th

UWO scores five runs in the Top of the 7th to take a 7-6 lead. 

Kuepper relieves Luke Vosz, who finished the 6th inning, and proceeds to give up an RBI single to tie things up 7-7.  Onto extra innings in Florida....

UWO 7
St. Olaf 7

Top 8th

[cubs]

Kyle Kannenberg with the start for UWO today on three days rest against St. Olaf. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Rubens finished Game #1 if it's tight and then starts Game #2 for his lone start of the trip, as both are important "in-region" games.

Well I was right about the first part....

Kannenberg goes 5.1 IP giving up one run and leaves with a 2-1 lead. 

Rubens comes in and proceeds to give up 5 runs, only one or two of which were earned, and St. Olaf leads 6-2.

St Olaf 6
UWO 2

Top of the 7th

UWO scores five runs in the Top of the 7th to take a 7-6 lead. 

Kuepper relieves Luke Vosz, who finished the 6th inning, and proceeds to give up an RBI single to tie things up 7-7.  Onto extra innings in Florida....

UWO 7
St. Olaf 7

Top 8th

UWO scores three runs in the Top of the 8th thanks to a two-run single by Nolan Fadness and a Sacrifice Fly from Peter Berg to give the Titans a 10-7 lead.

Kuepper gets through the 8th inning unscathed, to pick up the victory in relief.

UWO 10
St. Olaf 7

FINAL (8 Inn.)

[Brewers20]

Kyle Kannenberg with the start for UWO today on three days rest against St. Olaf. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Rubens finished Game #1 if it's tight and then starts Game #2 for his lone start of the trip, as both are important "in-region" games.

Well I was right about the first part....

Kannenberg goes 5.1 IP giving up one run and leaves with a 2-1 lead. 

Rubens comes in and proceeds to give up 5 runs, only one or two of which were earned, and St. Olaf leads 6-2.

St Olaf 6
UWO 2

Top of the 7th

UWO scores five runs in the Top of the 7th to take a 7-6 lead. 

Kuepper relieves Luke Vosz, who finished the 6th inning, and proceeds to give up an RBI single to tie things up 7-7.  Onto extra innings in Florida....

UWO 7
St. Olaf 7

Top 8th

UWO scores three runs in the Top of the 8th thanks to a two-run single by Nolan Fadness and a Sacrifice Fly from Peter Berg to give the Titans a 10-7 lead.

Kuepper gets through the 8th inning unscathed, to pick up the victory in relief.

UWO 10
St. Olaf 7

FINAL (8 Inn.)

Thats a big win for the Titans.  Any idea who is starting the 2nd game for UWO?

[BigPoppa]

Big win or not, the lack of ability to close the door for the Titans has to be worrisome to Oshkosh fans.

[Brewers20]

Big win or not, the lack of ability to close the door for the Titans has to be worrisome to Oshkosh fans.

I agree with that statement. 

[cubs]

As expected, Rubens gets the start in Game #2 and gets hit pretty hard.  He goes the distance in a 7-1 defeat.  Don't have many details on this one, sorry!!

St. Olaf 7
UWO 1

FINAL

[cubs]

Big win or not, the lack of ability to close the door for the Titans has to be worrisome to Oshkosh fans.

I agree with that statement. 

I will also agree with those sentiments.....  Maybe of greater concern however, is the shoddy defense UWO has shown and a less than stellar offense to boot over the first eight games!!!

[BaseballFan]

I know its early and everything but UWO (3-5) has to be worried about the start of the season

They have won 3 games by only 6 runs
   - rally to score 3 against Depauw 3-1
   - beat thomas 3-2
   - rally to score 5 runs in the 7th to beat olaf 10-7 in extras
   - outscored 70-40 in 8 games
   - 2-4 against top regional teams (olaf/thomas)

[BoBo]

I know its early and everything but UWO (3-5) has to be worried about the start of the season

They have won 3 games by only 6 runs
   - rally to score 3 against Depauw 3-1
   - beat thomas 3-2
   - rally to score 5 runs in the 7th to beat olaf 10-7 in extras
   - outscored 70-40 in 8 games
   - 2-4 against top regional teams (olaf/thomas)

So,what's more alarming/shocking, UW-O's 3-5 start to the season and the manner at which they are getting beat/winning, OR UWW's 6-3 start against fairly stiff competition (including 1 L to D1 U of Washington) with a team BA only slightly north of the Mendoza Line?

[OshDude]

I know its early and everything but UWO (3-5) has to be worried about the start of the season

They have won 3 games by only 6 runs
   - rally to score 3 against Depauw 3-1
   - beat thomas 3-2
   - rally to score 5 runs in the 7th to beat olaf 10-7 in extras
   - outscored 70-40 in 8 games
   - 2-4 against top regional teams (olaf/thomas)

So,what's more alarming/shocking, UW-O's 3-5 start to the season and the manner at which they are getting beat/winning, OR UWW's 6-3 start against fairly stiff competition (including 1 L to D1 U of Washington) with a team BA only slightly north of the Mendoza Line?

The Titans are basically one or two games back, depending on the comparison. Definitely in worse shape than I thought they'd be. But if they go 2-2 against UST, I doubt we start hitting the panic button even with the DePauw woodshed job thrown in there. Sketchy UWO pitching and defense is cause for concern (Is that a bad thing  ?) I'll obviously downgrade UWO on any updated top 25, regional rankings and whatnot, but I still believe in this Oshkosh team. The hole the Titans are in isn't the deepest. However, I think it will take a 3-1 series against Whitewater to get back in the Midwest's top tier. Well, that and a sweep over Westminster. If that doesn't happen first, UWO is obviously in big trouble.

Anyone lucky enough to see the games in Florida? Any firsthand impressions of the teams?

[Brewers20]

I know its early and everything but UWO (3-5) has to be worried about the start of the season

They have won 3 games by only 6 runs
   - rally to score 3 against Depauw 3-1
   - beat thomas 3-2
   - rally to score 5 runs in the 7th to beat olaf 10-7 in extras
   - outscored 70-40 in 8 games
   - 2-4 against top regional teams (olaf/thomas)

So,what's more alarming/shocking, UW-O's 3-5 start to the season and the manner at which they are getting beat/winning, OR UWW's 6-3 start against fairly stiff competition (including 1 L to D1 U of Washington) with a team BA only slightly north of the Mendoza Line?

Well that just shows how valuable good pitching and defense is doesn't it?  I think the UW-O start is by far more shocking, you never expect the titans to play like that, especially when they have the expectations to be great this year.  Maybe it is just freshman jitters, but UW-O always has young guys playing in their lineup and the age factor never seems to be an issue, and in college baseball, after going through fall ball and winter training, the jitters should be worked out of your system.  UW-O definitely has something to prove when they come back up north.
As for UWW, never shocked if they're successful, they've always been able to get big wins (minus the WIAC tourney).

[BaseballFan]

I would somewhat agree with you Oshdude that if UWO goes 2-2 against Thomas people arent talking as much.

But the reason for my post was, there 3 wins were all very close and/or had to rally to win. There 5 losses not even close at all.  That would be my main concern. And if they do lose to Westminster (Mo) they really need help, because Westminster is really bad (2-12).

I do think UWO is in the top 6 teams in the region, but their early struggles wont allow them to make many mistakes in the WIAC.

[ShineTime]

I'm not drunk or being sarcastic right now but Point is losing to St. Norbert's at Point 5-1 in the 8th inning of game 1.  I had to ask 10 different people if there was a malfunction with the scoreboard.  I watched innings 5 through 8 and it wasn't pretty for Point.  They absolutely cannot hit a curveball to save their lives and played with no fire whatsoever.  I can take the heat so I'll expect it if I'm wrong but Point WILL NOT finish top 4 in the WIAC this year.  St. Norbert's is not a good baseball team and has no business being within 10 runs of Point this year.  St. Olaf whooped them both games.

[BoBo]

I'm not drunk or being sarcastic right now but Point is losing to St. Norbert's at Point 5-1 in the 8th inning of game 1.  I had to ask 10 different people if there was a malfunction with the scoreboard.  I watched innings 5 through 8 and it wasn't pretty for Point.  They absolutely cannot hit a curveball to save their lives and played with no fire whatsoever.  I can take the heat so I'll expect it if I'm wrong but Point WILL NOT finish top 4 in the WIAC this year.  St. Norbert's is not a good baseball team and has no business being within 10 runs of Point this year.  St. Olaf whooped them both games.

It got worse, ShineTime before it got better...

...Point loses game one 6-1...but your opinion comes true in the nitecap, an 11-1 victory for the Pointers in 7 innings.