BB: Midwest Region

[BaseballFan]

14. St. Scholastica: 11-2 (almost warm enough to get outside for a game)

Almost, I hear Duluth is expecting 5-10 inches of snow in the next couple days. So hopefully they dont have any more games postponed because they already have last weekends 3 games to make up.

Im guessing there drop was due to not playing a game in 16 days which is understandable but that means they will have to bump back up when they get back on the field.

[TitanBystander]

I was a first hand witness to the UW-O train wreck in Florida last week.  Here are this fan's inmpressions:

Pitching first - Don't read too much into the bloodbath scores.  Lechnir threw out some of the younger pitchers in order to see what they could do.  Unfortunately, most of them did nothing but bring out the best in the opposing team's bats.  Oshkosh knows it needs to find depth in the pitching staff and they went searching during the games where Rubens/Demmin/Kannenburg didn't throw.  Matson did a nice job in his two outings (Depauw & St. Thomas) and he impressed me.  Kuepper looked shaky last week, but looked respectable last year so we'll have to withhold judgement.  I wasn't impressed with any of the younger guys - I can only hope they come around.  Demmin & Rubens both got knocked around a bit - even though the defense didn't help - so that's worrisome, but I'm hoping it just stokes the fire going into the WIAC.

Offense - I can't see the stats yet on their website, but I'm guessing the team hit a little under .250.  That won't get it done.  Too much inconsistency.       

Defense - Now we're in trouble.  Middle infield is really rough.  We're used to pretty solid guys up the middle, & both are being replaced.  Given the performance last week, a lot of work needs to be done. 

Competition - Depauw was very good, Thomas just bludgeoned us to death, Olaf is also pretty good, Westminster - well, the scores speak for itself.

Overall - The trip was troubling.  6-4 would have been acceptable given the competition (splits against everyone except Westminster).  But I'm not tossing in the towel yet.  This team is too good and hasn't really begun hitting on all cylinders yet.  The offense will come around - I'm not too worried about that.  The defense will need to get a lot better and they definitely need one of their 11 undreclassmen pitchers to step up.  There are a ton of innings to be eaten up & some of these guys will have to do the work.  The WIAC is up for grabs - let's hope the Titans are hungry enough to bury the teams they should beat & hold serve against WW & Point.  No one can afford ugly losses this year.         

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?

[Dagger]

I would certainly be concerned with the defensive struggles, as well as the pitching...but before i read another post about how brutal UWO's schedule has been may I redirect your attention to UWW's schedule of this spring or UWSP's spring schedules of 07 and 08!  Yes UWO is playing some good teams, some really good teams, but they are not going out on a limb here and playing the worlds strongest competition (compared to the other conference big dogs).  Wooster and Otterbein are very comparable to the tommies and the olies if not better.  UWO is in trouble in my opinion.  They have always had a strong defensive unit with good pitching, and now they have neither.  Hopefully their offense comes alive otherwise things are going to get ugly for them come WIAC play.  Strength of schedule excuses aside, uwo is off to a very poor start.  I can say however that that fact alone may be deceiving, having been part of teams that bombed both spring trips the last two years, it comes to mean very little once the northern schedule begins...and uwo may very well be the powerhouse that we are all expecting to see...

With that said, I can now move on and say I have no fricken clue right now who to even put in the top 4 come tournament time.  obviously I'm going to go ahead and take the big three to find a way to get there, as they all should, but who the fourth team is and what their seeds will be could be anybodies guess right now.

UWSP has shaky defense and still a lot of unproven youngsters, however they have the best rotation in the league hands down.  UWW can't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and has had some blunders in the field as well...they too however have a pretty good pitching rotation that has relatively shut down some darn good teams thus far.  UWO to be perfectly honest doesn't really have anything to say is working out in their favor right now.  Their defense is bad, their pitching has not done well (across the board) and their offensive numbers are lacking, even including the "games" against westminster.  Now for the fourth team I couldn't even wager a guess at this point, uwp uws and uwlax all have a legit shot in my eyes, uwstout is out for sure!

[OshDude]

I would certainly be concerned with the defensive struggles, as well as the pitching...but before i read another post about how brutal UWO's schedule has been may I redirect your attention to UWW's schedule of this spring or UWSP's spring schedules of 07 and 08!  Yes UWO is playing some good teams, some really good teams, but they are not going out on a limb here and playing the worlds strongest competition (compared to the other conference big dogs).  Wooster and Otterbein are very comparable to the tommies and the olies if not better.   UWO is in trouble in my opinion.  They have always had a strong defensive unit with good pitching, and now they have neither.  Hopefully their offense comes alive otherwise things are going to get ugly for them come WIAC play.  Strength of schedule excuses aside, uwo is off to a very poor start.  I can say however that that fact alone may be deceiving, having been part of teams that bombed both spring trips the last two years, it comes to mean very little once the northern schedule begins...and uwo may very well be the powerhouse that we are all expecting to see...

With that said, I can now move on and say I have no fricken clue right now who to even put in the top 4 come tournament time.  obviously I'm going to go ahead and take the big three to find a way to get there, as they all should, but who the fourth team is and what their seeds will be could be anybodies guess right now.

UWSP has shaky defense and still a lot of unproven youngsters, however they have the best rotation in the league hands down.  UWW can't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and has had some blunders in the field as well...they too however have a pretty good pitching rotation that has relatively shut down some darn good teams thus far.  UWO to be perfectly honest doesn't really have anything to say is working out in their favor right now.  Their defense is bad, their pitching has not done well (across the board) and their offensive numbers are lacking, even including the "games" against westminster.  Now for the fourth team I couldn't even wager a guess at this point, uwp uws and uwlax all have a legit shot in my eyes, uwstout is out for sure!

The difference in a WIAC team scheduling a Mideast team or a St. Olaf/St. Thomas/St. Scholastica/etc. isn't a matter of strength but risk. Taking out my personal opinion that Wooster is always overrated, I'll agree the Scots are almost always very good (I strongly disagree that Wooster/Otterbein are tougher than UST/SOC ... Otter of past years with Remo on the hill? You may have a case). Yes, that's a potentially good game, depending whether it's ace vs. ace, frosh vs. frosh or a combo. But there's nearly zero risk involved when playing nonregional games. It's one thing to lose to (or even beat) a Ryan Kulik, Remo or Wooster in March, but in the end that's not how you're judged.

Every coach knows the selection criteria. I'm not saying one way is definitely better than the other. But I think the risk in playing a UST or SOC outweighs the perceived wow factor of playing a nonregional perennial power, however loosly that term is defined. Granted, playing a D-I school like UWW did is a neat experience. But you can have the Minnesota D-II schools and nonregional D-III schools. I'd rather risk building a solid resume by playing the best in-region teams as possible. To me playing 38-40 in-region games (with mostly solid-to-great noncons) is tougher than playing 30, no matter who you play in the other 10.

I've always looked at the Point and Ripon noncon schedules with the same indifference. I totally understand the ideas behind playing strong nonregional teams. I even agree with those ideas. But that way of scheduling isn't tougher. It's a low-risk potential confidence booster mixed with the benefit of variety.

I guess it's hard to argue with Point's recent postseason results, so perhaps you guys have it right, although in my hierarchy continual risk is tougher than any opponent that counts only in the realm of emotions.

[Dagger]

I agree that in region games against tough teams are much more of a risk and have the potential to pay off huge, i was simply suggesting that the teams they have been playing should not be a reason for their struggles.  UST and USO are both great teams, but so too are wooster and otterbein.  I just never heard anyone defending other teams poor starts, this year or in the past, because they had a tough schedule. 

As I mentioned ni a previous post this start could potentially mean absolutely nothing, and in one way may be a good thing for the titans as it may light a fire under their butts for the wiac portion of their year...I guess I'm just saying that the schedule they have played is not the reason for their struggles, as others have suggested!

we got to see remo twice and woosters ace both years, it always conveniently worked out that we would play those teams on no rest while they were coming off of two days rest or something like that!  We certainly never had a great spring trip but we still had good numbers coming home.  Not to mention that on top of playing wooster and otterbein we would always open the season with ust and st schol in the dome!  So strength of schedule really shouldn't be depleting offensive numbers like they have so far this year...I think there's something else driving those numbers down.  And that goes for several teams across the league this year.  None of the big three have put up numbers like you would expect to this point.  WIAC ball is right around the corner and is probably the most intriguing year that I can remember as far as what is going to happen.

I'm still sticking to my guns with rankings come postseason:

UWO
UWSP
UWW
UWP

[ShineTime]

This is my prediction for conference.

1.  Oshkosh
2.  Whitewater
3.  Superior
4.  LaCrosse

Point will have a chance for 3rd or 4th but I think their a year away from being great.  They just don't have the power hitters this year.

[BaseballFan]

I think its every coaches choice whether they want to take the risk of loading up their in-region schedule(maybe with some cupcakes) or play tougher teams out of conference. Either way I dont think you can go wrong.

I think the big difference in why a team plays 30 in region games compared to 40 games is the spring trip. Usually the coaches dont have the choice who they play and are just set up with who they play (except they dont match up conference foes usually).  So basically you hope their are some other in-region teams there and that the program director matches you up.

I looked at the top 5 or 6 teams and CSS didnt get a favorable in region schedule in florida most likely because their spring break was early compared to other midwest schools and just got matched up with many Pennsylvania teams. The positive side of this is that they dont have to worry about playing 6 regional games in a row and worrying about pitching. So to make up for this they always schedule some tough non-conf games such as UST, Olaf, Lacrosse

[Dagger]

This is my prediction for conference.

1.  Oshkosh
2.  Whitewater
3.  Superior
4.  LaCrosse

Point will have a chance for 3rd or 4th but I think their a year away from being great.  They just don't have the power hitters this year.

so you're telling me that UWS who hasn't had power hitters for their entire existence, and UWL are going to sneak ahead of uwsp this year!?!  Good one.  Nothing against UWS or UWL they are both good teams, but there's no chance for UWSP to miss the top 4 this year.  and as far as power hitters are concerned, surman, richter and spurney provide as much pop in the middle of a lineup as any team in the conference!  Plus arch, fritz, koback and others will no doubt chip in along the way.  They played in parks with 20 mph winds blowing straight in the whole time in fl...except for one day (and guess what 4 hrs that day!) and their first home series was blustery and not a batter friendly day.  They will be fine, as will UWW and UWO.  People take too much out of the spring games, you have to remember that these teams are playing young guys and trying different lineups in order to get prepared for the wiac schedule.  Look at UWO, UWW, and UWSP and they all only have a couple guys that started all the games so far, proving that the coaches are simply playing with the lineups to try and find the right one.  This often times disrupts some hitters and produces lower numbers.  Once wiac play opens their will be a more set lineup and you'll start to see regulars on all the teams take the field everygame! 

Power hitters dont win championships anyway, look at points teams of the past...very successful and extremely potent offensively, but no league titles.  You watch the WBC at all?  How powerful is the japanese team?  Seems to me they get by pretty well.  Solid pitching will go a long way, and defense to back that up (which point and apparently UWO are both currently lacking) can win you championships with a couple timely hits.  Point is too disciplined to miss out on the tournament this year. 

[cubs]

How about Rubens getting pounded the other day?  I was shocked with his outing but I think some of that can be blamed on the coaching staff not making a role for him.  Is he going to be a closer or a starter?  I think their best bet is to use him as a starter so they have that good 1-2 punch with Rubens and Mattsen.

Can I ask why you are questioning how he is being used this season when it appears his role is going to be nearly identical to what it was last season?  The numbers he put up last season in this role were pretty respectable, and good enough to earn him a spot on the All WIAC squad. 

Is it because he got hit hard against St. Olaf?  If so just remember that in one of Ruben's first appearances last season, he faced three batters in the 9th inning down at Whitewater and proceeded to give up a HR, 1B, and a HR, in a 9-7 loss to the Warhawks.  Maybe Rubens is just one of those guys that is slow out of the gate and gets better as the seaon goes along.

[cubs]

I was a first hand witness to the UW-O train wreck in Florida last week.  Here are this fan's inmpressions:

Pitching first - Don't read too much into the bloodbath scores.  Lechnir threw out some of the younger pitchers in order to see what they could do.  Unfortunately, most of them did nothing but bring out the best in the opposing team's bats.  Oshkosh knows it needs to find depth in the pitching staff and they went searching during the games where Rubens/Demmin/Kannenburg didn't throw.  Matson did a nice job in his two outings (Depauw & St. Thomas) and he impressed me.  Kuepper looked shaky last week, but looked respectable last year so we'll have to withhold judgement.  I wasn't impressed with any of the younger guys - I can only hope they come around.  Demmin & Rubens both got knocked around a bit - even though the defense didn't help - so that's worrisome, but I'm hoping it just stokes the fire going into the WIAC.

I think a guy that earned himself some innings down south was Westphal. He pitched in three games, threw strikes, and only allowed one earned run.  I wouln't be surprised to see him start on Thursday against Marian, that is if they get the game in.

Offense - I can't see the stats yet on their website, but I'm guessing the team hit a little under .250.  That won't get it done.  Too much inconsistency.

You were quite a bit off on this one.  Even taking out the numbers from the two games against Westminster (where UWO had 42 hits in 89 AB's) the Titans hit .325 while in Florida.  Now just to put that in perspective, they hit .323 as a team last season.

Defense - Now we're in trouble.  Middle infield is really rough.  We're used to pretty solid guys up the middle, & both are being replaced.  Given the performance last week, a lot of work needs to be done.

I will agree with you for the most part here, however just remember that Mickey Fadness was a .975 fielder just two years ago at 2B (compared to Kannenberg's .950 last season.)  If Mickey ends up being the "full-time" 2B, don't worry about the defense in that position.  As for Jirschele, what you may lose in defense from him compared to Leighton (which I honestly don't think will be as much as it seems right now come the end of the season) you are gaining on the offensive side.  I believe he had at least one hit in 9 of the 10 games UWO played in Florida, which was matched by only Nolan Fadness. 

[Dagger]

How about Rubens getting pounded the other day?  I was shocked with his outing but I think some of that can be blamed on the coaching staff not making a role for him.  Is he going to be a closer or a starter?  I think their best bet is to use him as a starter so they have that good 1-2 punch with Rubens and Mattsen.

Can I ask why you are questioning how he is being used this season when it appears his role is going to be nearly identical to what it was last season?  The numbers he put up last season in this role were pretty respectable, and good enough to earn him a spot on the All WIAC squad. 

Is it because he got hit hard against St. Olaf?  If so just remember that in one of Ruben's first appearances last season, he faced three batters in the 9th inning down at Whitewater and proceeded to give up a HR, 1B, and a HR, in a 9-7 loss to the Warhawks.  Maybe Rubens is just one of those guys that is slow out of the gate and gets better as the seaon goes along.

I agree...not having a set role is most likely the last reason for any of Rubens' poor outings.  I do however feel that his use is a little bit odd and not maximized effectively at certain times.  He just wore out last season at the end, in part (my speculation) due to the number of outings (not necessarily innings) he threw.  Many pitchers struggle to find their stuff until at least a couple games into the season!  Especially on the breaking balls and location with the fast ball.  It's all about feel, and no matter how good you are it takes a couple outings to get that feel back each year.  That's just baseball.  rubens is a good pitcher and will be just fine.  Just like UWO UWW and UWSP will all be fine as teams this year and will continue to pace the WIAC! 

[cubs]

UWO to be perfectly honest doesn't really have anything to say is working out in their favor right now.  Their defense is bad, their pitching has not done well (across the board) and their offensive numbers are lacking, even including the "games" against westminster. 

I touched on this in another reply, but lacking compared to what?  Even with taking out the Westminster games, they hit .325 on the trip (compared to .323 last season, .312 in 2007, and .305 in 2006.)  They hit 7 HR's, and if you project that out to a 40-game schedule they would finish with 28.  Last season they hit 29 HR's in 40 games, 41 HR's in 47 games in 2007, and 19 in 42 games in 2006, so that number is comparable as well.  

I will give you that the pitching and defensive numbers are cause for concern, but offensively this year's Titans are right along the lines of teams from recent past.

[Dagger]

my bad on that one...I was simply using the facts that were available to us by other posters (should have known better).  Since UWO can't post any information in a timely manner.  I hadn't checked their numbers because they weren't posted.  They certainly are putting up solid offensive numbers.  I would have no complaints being a titan follower with those numbers! 

[cubs]

my bad on that one...I was simply using the facts that were available to us by other posters (should have known better).  Since UWO can't post any information in a timely manner.   I hadn't checked their numbers because they weren't posted.  They certainly are putting up solid offensive numbers.  I would have no complaints being a titan follower with those numbers! 

In all fairness, UWO's SID does a pretty good job compared to SOME of the other WIAC schoools, especially with what he has for a staff.  If I'm not mistaken, I believe he has gone to Florida with the team when they have gone down there in the past, so it's not surprising that stuff isn't updated daily.  To have all the boxscores up a day or two following their return, isn't that bad in my opinion.  As a fan I would love to see them the same day as a game just like they are during WIAC play, but it's pretty understandable to have a mall delay.

[BigPoppa]

I played in the days when Oshkosh had two guys each hit over 25 bombs in a season... (Jorgensen hit 39 and Leider hit 25 in 1996... unreal season).