BB: Midwest Region

[OshDude]

The Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association all-star classic was last weekend. About 70 of the state's top seniors are chosen to play.

I'm not sure how firm the info is or whether the players will even play baseball in college, but I thought I'd pass along the breakdown of D-III schools the players will attend, according to the tourney program.

Stevens Point: 7 8
Oshkosh: 3
Whitewater: 3
St. Thomas: 2
Carroll: 2
La Crosse: 2
Ripon: 1
St. Norbert: 1
Augsburg: 1
Superior: 1
Benedictine: 1
MSOE: 1
Edgewood: 1
North Park: 1
Hope: 1
Undecided: 12

Could you possibly name the 8 going to Stevens Point?  I'm just curious on who they are bringing in and couldn't find that info myself...thanks in advance.

Again, these are simply names from the tourney program until the teams release something official: Cody Hanke, Aaron Jushka, Brady Nelson, Kyle Johnson, Riley Spetz, Nick Prebelski, Cody Pangrazzi, Nick Heitman.

[cubs]

One kid that I know of for sure, but wold not be included in eight players Oshdude is talking about would be Ripon's Michael Polcyn.  He was the winning pitcher in the Division 2 State Championship this past spring, but I would venture to say you won't see him as a pitcher at the next level.  He is a big (6'3") strong LH hitter, who played SS in HS, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a position change. 

The variable in the whole situation is that while he had his mind made up about going to Point, UW Milwaukee became a player after Ripon's State Tournament run and offered some scholarship money.  I guess we will see how "firm" his choice of Point was in the coming weeks.

Thanks cubs, I had heard about Polcyn but didn't hear he had decided on Point.  Scholarship money is hard to turn down though, for my alma mater's sake I hope he can turn it down.  He sounds like he has the makings of being a huge contributor if he makes it to Point.

Sounds like he has decided to pursue his baseball career at the D1 level and has committed to UW Milwaukee. 

[ShineTime]

That blows for Point they lost a kid who could've walked in and started immediately at SS or 2B next year.  I guess I can't get too greedy their still getting a ton of potential great players coming in with Hanke leading the way.  I've heard there's a few excellent kids playing summer high school ball coming to Point also including a kid from Kewaskum whose really tough.  I believe his name is Cody Nuerenberg but am not positive.

[BaseballFan]

Still over 2 months until the season starts but will sneak up on us soon so until then how are the teams shaping up this year? freshman that will instantly factor in? any interesting match ups?

I see CSS is playing their typical match ups with St. Thomas and Olaf but also have Wash U, UW whitewater, UW Lacrosse on their schedule.

UWW has Bethel and CSS so far

Point has Gustavus and Edgewood and fairly typical wisconsin schools such as Ripon

St. Thomas and St. Olaf do not have schedules listed.

[cubs]

Oshkosh will make three seperate trips to the Metrodome this year for the "Spring Trip" part of their schedule.

March 12 and 13-Hamline (DH) and St. Thomas (DH)

March 18 and 19-St. John's (DH) and Northwestern-MN (DH)

March 25 and 26-St. Mary's (DH) and St. John's (DH)

Outside of the WIAC schedule, they have two games scheduled against Marian at the beginning of May.  That would put them at 38 games, two short of the 40-game maximum.

[BigPoppa]

Is there a "master schedule" of games at the Metrodome? Other than looking through each individual teams' schedule?

[BaseballFan]

Is there a "master schedule" of games at the Metrodome? Other than looking through each individual teams' schedule?

They obviously have a master schedule but not one online, that would be too convenient for us. I wonder once we get closer to February if the Metrodome's website will list games

[Just Bill]

Is there a "master schedule" of games at the Metrodome? Other than looking through each individual teams' schedule?

They obviously have a master schedule but not one online, that would be too convenient for us. I wonder once we get closer to February if the Metrodome's website will list games

I've looked at the Metrodome schedule in the past and typically all it says is "College Baseball"

[badgerwarhawk]

WW has DH's Bethel and St Thomas in the Metrodome.  We also have nonconference games scheduled with  Ripon (DH), CSS (DH) and Concordia Wi (DH).  The Bethel DH is scheduled to start at 10pm. 

[BaseballFan]

Midwest players on the D3preseason teams

Josh Davidson-Aurora
Luke Westphal-Oshkosh
Kyle Moody-Scholastica
Nick Skala- Concordia Ill
Sean Gerber- Stevens Point

[BaseballFan]

Any thoughts on the midwest preview that came out this week? St. Scholastica was the pick to advance and wouldn't be surprised if they have a couple young guys emerge like Andy Davis did last year

[therocket21]

I also would not be surprised to see a few young people emerge from CSS. I could see Casareto being a player who emerges this year. I assume he will be their shortstop this year and he has all the tools to become one of the better shortstops in the region. He has a very strong arm and is a strong kid with some pop in his bat. Pitching wise CSS has two of the best in the region with Jenson and Davis. Both proved that in the regional last year. They wont be able to win the regional unless they get their number 3-5 pitchers to step up and give good outings. Not sure who that will be? I know Nystrom was their closer last year, not sure what his role will be this year. They will definitely need someone who can come in and close out games.

[BaseballFan]

I also would not be surprised to see a few young people emerge from CSS. I could see Casareto being a player who emerges this year. I assume he will be their shortstop this year and he has all the tools to become one of the better shortstops in the region. He has a very strong arm and is a strong kid with some pop in his bat. Pitching wise CSS has two of the best in the region with Jenson and Davis. Both proved that in the regional last year. They wont be able to win the regional unless they get their number 3-5 pitchers to step up and give good outings. Not sure who that will be? I know Nystrom was their closer last year, not sure what his role will be this year. They will definitely need someone who can come in and close out games.

Since Vogelgesang started a lot of games last year I would guess he would be in the mix for top 3 and may see Jake Snyder be in the top 5

[therocket21]

Not sure I could see Vogelgesang in the top three, maybe the top 5 though. Houdek is another kid from CSS with a live arm and a lot of potential. He pitched out of the bullpen at times last year but I wouldnt be surprised to see him get a few starts this year. One problem I worry CSS may face is arm health. I know in past years Jenson has experienced some arm problems and I am pretty sure Davis missed a few weeks last year due to arm problems. Both of these two will be asked to throw about 20 to 25 more innings this year than last year and I wonder how their arms will adapt. Another I believe CSS may have is their lack of Left handed hitters in the lineup. I believe Flagstad is the only left handed bat they have. I am anxious to see if they have any young freshman that may contribute this year, both on the mound and at the dish.

[BaseballFan]

Not sure I could see Vogelgesang in the top three, maybe the top 5 though. Houdek is another kid from CSS with a live arm and a lot of potential. He pitched out of the bullpen at times last year but I wouldnt be surprised to see him get a few starts this year. One problem I worry CSS may face is arm health. I know in past years Jenson has experienced some arm problems and I am pretty sure Davis missed a few weeks last year due to arm problems. Both of these two will be asked to throw about 20 to 25 more innings this year than last year and I wonder how their arms will adapt. Another I believe CSS may have is their lack of Left handed hitters in the lineup. I believe Flagstad is the only left handed bat they have. I am anxious to see if they have any young freshman that may contribute this year, both on the mound and at the dish.

Well if Vogelgesang is not in the top 3, then I am guessing he did not improve much since he was their #2 or 3 last year with 10 starts or some of the other pitchers improved and moved ahead of them.

Yea the saints are short on lefty hitters this year which is surprising since they have had plenty of good ones over the years


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