BB: Midwest Region

[BaseballFan]

He also did get to hit between Ryan Jones (17hrs) and Chuck Brehm (14hrs)

2005 midwest regional in my opinion had 4 top 10 teams which rivals the 99' midwest regional.  If Scholastica doesnt upset Point in the opening round, Point may have been the world series champ.

You would know, you pitched that upset for CSS.

Unfortunately, it was not me. It was Jake Eiler, not sure if he was an all-american but should of been with his stats, 10-2 102 Ks, 7 bbs and was the anchor of the staff that set a ncaa record with 15 shutouts. But its pretty tough to get another all-american pitcher in the midwest besides Reinard and Tomasiewicz who only loss 1 game combined

[Brewers20]

However the WIAC website does not indicate Wizcek was a National Player of the Year.  It does list him as a first team All-American in 2005 but not a NPOY.  I couldn't say if that is an oversight or not.  

They may go by a different All-American team, in 2005 Wiczek and Reinhard were the D3 player and pitcher of the year according to the NCBWA.  http://odac.bridgewater.edu/div3base/2005/2005allamerican.htm

[xyz123]

He also did get to hit between Ryan Jones (17hrs) and Chuck Brehm (14hrs)

2005 midwest regional in my opinion had 4 top 10 teams which rivals the 99' midwest regional.  If Scholastica doesnt upset Point in the opening round, Point may have been the world series champ.

You would know, you pitched that upset for CSS.

Unfortunately, it was not me. It was Jake Eiler, not sure if he was an all-american but should of been with his stats, 10-2 102 Ks, 7 bbs and was the anchor of the staff that set a ncaa record with 15 shutouts. But its pretty tough to get another all-american pitcher in the midwest besides Reinard and Tomasiewicz who only loss 1 game combined

You have been unmasked NR.  It has been a mystery for years, but everything is much more clear now.

[Brewers20]

Unfortunately, it was not me. It was Jake Eiler, not sure if he was an all-american but should of been with his stats, 10-2 102 Ks, 7 bbs and was the anchor of the staff that set a ncaa record with 15 shutouts. But its pretty tough to get another all-american pitcher in the midwest besides Reinard and Tomasiewicz who only loss 1 game combined
[/quote]
I remember that kid had an unbelievable change-up and had us out in front all day long (well i guess it was over the course of two days because of weather).

[BaseballFan]

He also did get to hit between Ryan Jones (17hrs) and Chuck Brehm (14hrs)

2005 midwest regional in my opinion had 4 top 10 teams which rivals the 99' midwest regional.  If Scholastica doesnt upset Point in the opening round, Point may have been the world series champ.

You would know, you pitched that upset for CSS.

Unfortunately, it was not me. It was Jake Eiler, not sure if he was an all-american but should of been with his stats, 10-2 102 Ks, 7 bbs and was the anchor of the staff that set a ncaa record with 15 shutouts. But its pretty tough to get another all-american pitcher in the midwest besides Reinard and Tomasiewicz who only loss 1 game combined

You have been unmasked NR.  It has been a mystery for years, but everything is much more clear now.

Touche xyz, I have been outed after all these years or maybe not 

[dukes]

Interesting regional matchup in 2005, the best of lineups (Point) against the best of pitching (WW-Reinhard and Tomasawick). Plus, if I remember right, it was a 4 team regional rounded out by St. Thomas and CSS. Overall pretty impressive.  Honestly I dont believe I have seen a comparatively as potent of a lineup in recent years  as Points that year, and besides their 3-4-5, they had power throughout.

Wizcek was the POY in 2005, and well deserved with his line and the way he was hitting the ball that year. Also goes to show you that you never know who will shine in any given year.

NR??

[ShineTime]

They also had Polomis, Frombach, and Evanoff that year.  Joel Hjonacki and Ben Warwick started as freshman.  I liked Points lineup Zimmerman's sophomore year when they lost to Marietta first round at the world series.  They were stacked with Frombach, Nat Richter, Evanoff, Zimmerman, Schlosser, Byrnes, Brehm, and Scheidler. 

[OshDude]

What I think the regional rankings would look like if they came out today, not what I think the list will be any later than this second. MW Region standings are also on the blog. We still have 20 teams over .500.

1. St. Scholastica (5-1)
2. St. Olaf (6-2)
3. Bethel (6-1)
4. St. Thomas (7-4)
5. Rockford (10-1)
6. Oshkosh (9-5)
The next six (in no order): Concordia Chicago (10-4), Aurora (9-4), Edgewood (11-3), Stevens Point (9-4), Whitewater (4-4), La Crosse (9-3).

Disagree? Where to slot Bethel was difficult. Given the makeup of the regional committee, I have a feeling two WIAC teams would be on there. But with 1/3-ish of the season in the books, I couldn't justify it right now.

[Dagger]

I think it's hard to disagree with those rankings, maybe move bethel down a notch...but I have to think, as you mentioned, that two wiac teams (or more) will end up making the list come may.

[Iluvd3BBALL]

I think people should start taking a look at Bethel this year.  They are 6-1 against regional opponents, but in conference they are 3-1 against St. Thomas and Hamline who they were 1-3 against last year.  This year they have Jay Slick and Tim Oesterlin who are 1,2 in batting average for the overall season for the MIAC and Travis Adams is starting to find his groove.  In his first 2 conference starts he has pitched shutout complete games against St. Thomas and Hamline.  I can't think of a pitcher who has done that lately.  I can see how we should be skeptical of them, since they have been so hit or miss the last few years, but I think this could be a surprise year for them.

[HarryDH]

Adams threw another 6 scoreless innings against St. Olaf today in a 1-0 victory for the royals.  If the Royals can continue to get the occasional rainout and adams can pitch in every league double header they should be in good shape.  I certainly don't see them as the third best team in the region, but if they can get some consistent offense and they stop trying to sacrifice bunt every time they get a guy on first base with 0 or 1 out they could make their first run to the conference tourney since 2000.

[OshDude]

The first regional rankings are due out on Thursday. Here's how I think they should look for the Midwest and Central regions. I used in-region records through 4/20, which should be what this week's regional rankings reflect. Corrections and/or opinions appreciated. Lots more math available on the blog.

MIDWEST
Team, in-region record, (OWP)
1. St. Scholastica 15-1 (.528)
2. St. Thomas 15-5 (.643)
3. Wisconsin-Whitewater 14-8 (.597)
4. Rockford 15-6 (.579)
5. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 17-8 (.606)
6. St. Olaf 11-7 (.623)
Next four (in no order): Wisconsin Oshkosh 14-10 (.578), Aurora 16-7 (.510), Concordia Chicago 18-6 (.480), Wisconsin-La Crosse 13-10 (.568)

CENTRAL
Team, in-region record, (OWP)
1. Carthage 17-2 (.590)
2. Illinois Wesleyan 18-7 (.580)
3. Webster 20-7 (.517)
4. Buena Vista 18-5 (.462)
5. Augustana 17-7 (.463)
6. Beloit 14-3 (.412)
Next four (in no order): Washington 18-9 (unknown), Wartburg 15-11 (.534), Ripon 8-5 (.638), St. Norbert 12-7 (.538)

[BigPoppa]

MIDWEST
Team, in-region record, (OWP)
1. St. Scholastica 15-1 (.528)
2. St. Thomas 15-5 (.643)
3. Wisconsin-Whitewater 14-8 (.597)
4. Rockford 15-6 (.579)
5. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 17-8 (.606)
6. St. Olaf 11-7 (.623)
Next four (in no order): Wisconsin Oshkosh 14-10 (.578), Aurora 16-7 (.510), Concordia Chicago 18-6 (.480), Wisconsin-La Crosse 13-10 (.568)

NCAA Mid West Regional Rankings: 4/23
1. St Thomas
2. St Scholastica
3. Whitewater
4. Stevens Point
5. Rockford
6. St Olaf

OshDude- while you are bit off on the order, you did hit the Top 6 in the region on the head. Nice work. I do like your #1 and 2 better than the NCAA. Clearly they are rewarding SOS for St. Thomas over CSS's weak UMAC games.

[BaseballFan]

MIDWEST
Team, in-region record, (OWP)
1. St. Scholastica 15-1 (.528)
2. St. Thomas 15-5 (.643)
3. Wisconsin-Whitewater 14-8 (.597)
4. Rockford 15-6 (.579)
5. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 17-8 (.606)
6. St. Olaf 11-7 (.623)
Next four (in no order): Wisconsin Oshkosh 14-10 (.578), Aurora 16-7 (.510), Concordia Chicago 18-6 (.480), Wisconsin-La Crosse 13-10 (.568)

NCAA Mid West Regional Rankings: 4/23
1. St Thomas
2. St Scholastica
3. Whitewater
4. Stevens Point
5. Rockford
6. St Olaf

OshDude- while you are bit off on the order, you did hit the Top 6 in the region on the head. Nice work. I do like your #1 and 2 better than the NCAA. Clearly they are rewarding SOS for St. Thomas over CSS's weak UMAC games.

Ditto also and nice job on the Central I think it was perfect. I agree with you guys about CSS but doesnt matter right now because they still play another game against each other which I would think would make the difference on who gets one or two.

Just throwing this out there: Say if UWW,  Rockford, Thomas get the A bids and CSS gets the B. Thats 4 teams and with the midwest being down this year do you think they could ship a team into the Midwest. Right now Im struggling  to find 6 teams in the midwest that stand out enough to make the tourney. Obviously there is a lot of ball left and things dont always seem to go the way we think they might but just spurring discussion.

[Ralph Turner]

MIDWEST
Team, in-region record, (OWP)
1. St. Scholastica 15-1 (.528)
2. St. Thomas 15-5 (.643)
3. Wisconsin-Whitewater 14-8 (.597)
4. Rockford 15-6 (.579)
5. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 17-8 (.606)
6. St. Olaf 11-7 (.623)
Next four (in no order): Wisconsin Oshkosh 14-10 (.578), Aurora 16-7 (.510), Concordia Chicago 18-6 (.480), Wisconsin-La Crosse 13-10 (.568)

NCAA Mid West Regional Rankings: 4/23
1. St Thomas
2. St Scholastica
3. Whitewater
4. Stevens Point
5. Rockford
6. St Olaf

OshDude- while you are bit off on the order, you did hit the Top 6 in the region on the head. Nice work. I do like your #1 and 2 better than the NCAA. Clearly they are rewarding SOS for St. Thomas over CSS's weak UMAC games.

Ditto also and nice job on the Central I think it was perfect. I agree with you guys about CSS but doesnt matter right now because they still play another game against each other which I would think would make the difference on who gets one or two.

Just throwing this out there: Say if UWW,  Rockford, Thomas get the A bids and CSS gets the B. Thats 4 teams and with the midwest being down this year do you think they could ship a team into the Midwest. Right now Im struggling  to find 6 teams in the midwest that stand out enough to make the tourney. Obviously there is a lot of ball left and things dont always seem to go the way we think they might but just spurring discussion.

Yes, BaseballFan.

I think so.

The way to look at the tourney is once the 54 teams are selected, then they start getting out the mileage charts.  The teams that are 501 miles away from a playoff site get flown somewhere.  Everyone else gets bussed!

If a Central team moves into the "Midwest" tourney, then we get a little variation.