2005 WIAC Baseball Headlines

2005 WIAC Baseball Headlines

Two Sign Major League Baseball Free Agent Contracts

RELEASED: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) baseball players have signed free agent contracts with Major League Baseball teams. UW-Oshkosh's Ned Yost signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, while UW-Platteville's David Reifenberger signed with the Cleveland Indians.

Yost signed with the Brewers on May 23 and will begin playing for the Helena Brewers of the rookie Pioneer League. He placed second in the conference this year with a .774 slugging percentage, fourth with a .413 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage, sixth with 60 runs scored, seventh with 11 home runs and eighth with 26 walks and 15 doubles.

Reifenberger signed with the Indians on July 1 and will begin playing for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the Class A New York-Penn League. He hit .293 during the 2005 season with three home runs and 29 RBIs, while compiling a 1-1 record on the mound with a 1.65 earned run average and four saves.

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UW-Whitewater's Vodenlich Named National Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Tuesday, July 5, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater head coach John Vodenlich has been named the 2005 NCAA Division III Baseball Coach of the Year. The award was presented by the American Baseball Coaches Association and sponsored by Diamond Sports.

Vodenlich led UW-Whitewater to the 2005 NCAA III championship and 45-7 record. The Warhawks also won their fifth Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship in the last six years. UW-Whitewater set school records for wins, winning percentage, runs scored per game, hits per game and shutouts in a season.

Vodenlich completed his second season as head coach at UW-Whitewater and owns a 84-16 mark (.840 winning percentage). He played for the Warhawks from 1989-92 and served as an assistant to Jim Miller for four years (2000-03).

The ABCA Division III Coach of the Year is chosen from the eight regional coaches of the year. Vodenlich had earlier been named Midwest Region Coach of the Year.

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Former Titan Makes Major League Debut

Former University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh left-handed pitcher Jack Taschner became the eighth Titan to appear in a major league baseball game when he made his debut with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday (June 11) in San Francisco, Calif.

Taschner, who was promoted to the Giants earlier in the day, retired three of the four batters he faced during a scoreless eighth inning of San Francisco's 7-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians at SBC Park. Former UW-Whitewater pitcher Bob Wickman recorded his 16th save of the season for the Indians in the contest.

Taschner threw 12 pitches in his major league debut, including seven for strikes. He got two of the four Cleveland batters he faced to fly out and another to ground out. The lone hit off Taschner was a two-out, pinch-hit double by Jose Hernandez.

Taschner was called up to the Giants from the Fresno (Calif.) Grizzlies, San Francisco's AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. The Racine native has battled through injuries and been pitching in the minor leagues since leaving UW-Oshkosh as a second round draft pick (75th overall selection) of the Giants in 1999.

Prior to his promotion, Taschner was throwing his slider, low 90s fastball and changeup at Fresno this season to a 2-0 record and a 0.95 earned run average. Taschner, who generally worked no more than one inning each game, counted three saves and held opponents scoreless in 24 of his 26 outings. His 28.1 innings of work resulted in 35 strikeouts, 17 hits, 13 walks and just three runs allowed.

Taschner compiled a perfect 13-0 record during the 1997, 1998 and 1999 seasons at UW-Oshkosh. His best season came in 1999 when he gained NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region honors after posting a 7-0 record and a 1.51 earned run average over 53.2 innings. Taschner was a member of UW-Oshkosh teams that won 102 of 121 games and captured three WIAC championships. In 1998, the Titans posted a 41-5 record and finished fifth at the NCAA Division III World Series.

Also representing UW-Oshkosh in a major league baseball game on Saturday were Jarrod Washburn of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Gary Varsho of the Philadelphia Phillies. Washburn was the starting pitcher in the Angels' 5-3 loss to the New York Mets, while Varsho was the bench coach for the Phillies in their 7-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Washburn was appearing in his 177th major league contest, with all of them coming with the Angels since the 1998 season.

In addition to Taschner and Washburn, other former UW-Oshkosh baseball players appearing in a major league contest were Dorian Boyland (21 games) with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1978-81), Jim Gantner (1,801 games) with the Milwaukee Brewers (1976-92), Terry Jorgensen (91 games) with the Minnesota Twins (1989-93), Jim Magnuson (31 games) with the Chicago White Sox (1970-71) and New York Yankees (1973), Dan Neumeier (3 games) with the Chicago White Sox (1972) and Gary Varsho (571 games) with the Chicago Cubs (1988-90), Pittsburgh Pirates (1991-92, 1994), Cincinnati Reds (1993) and Philadelphia Phillies (1995).

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Three Taken In Major League Baseball Amateur Draft

RELEASED: Thursday, June 9, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) baseball players have been selected in the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, which was held June 7-8. UW-Oshkosh's Jeremy Jirschele and UW-Whitewater's Greg Reinhard and Kevin Tomasiewicz were drafted by MLB teams.

Jirschele, a senior second baseman from Clintonville, Wis., was drafted in the 30th round (892nd overall) by the Kansas City Royals. He claimed American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America First Team honors and was named the WIAC Co-Position Player of the Year after leading the conference with a .520 on-base percentage, while ranking second with a .438 batting average and 19 doubles. Jirschele holds the WIAC career record with 660 at-bats and 53 doubles, while finishing second with 253 hits and fifth with 177 runs scored. He started all 169 games throughout his four-year career at UW-Oshkosh and played defensively in every out recorded by the Titans during that span - a total of 4,192 outs

Reinhard, a junior righthanded pitcher from Marinette, Wis., was selected in the sixth round (178th overall) by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He went 12-0 this season with a 1.82 earned run average, 146 strikeouts and 20 walks in 103.2 innings pitched. His 146 strikeouts set a conference single-season record, while his wins and innings pitched totals rank second on the league chart. Reinhard was named the WIAC Pitcher of the Year, America Baseball Coaches Association All-America First Team and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division III Pitcher of the Year.

Reinhard becomes the highest draft selection from the WIAC since UW-Oshkosh's Jack Taschner was selected in the second round by the San Francisco Giants in 1999.

Tomasiewicz, a senior lefthanded pitcher from Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (Dundee-Crown H.S.), was chosen in the 26th round (779th overall) by the New York Mets. This season, he set a league single-season record with 15 wins and 108.0 innings pitched. Tomasiewicz placed second in the WIAC with a 2.83 earned run average, 101 strikeouts and a .235 opponent batting average. He claimed ABCA All-America Second Team honors for his efforts this year. Tomasiewicz tops the conference career chart with 35 wins and holds UW-Whitewater's career mark for innings pitched and strikeouts.

Jirschele becomes the 13th UW-Oshkosh player to be drafted since 1995, while Reinhard and Tomasewicz become the 11th and 12th UW-Whitewater players to be selected in the school's history.

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UW-Whitewater Claims Baseball National Championship

Grand Chute, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater claimed the 2005 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship with an 11-4 victory over State University of New York-Cortland on Monday, May 31 at Fox Cities Stadium.

The national title for UW-Whitewater is the first in school history. The Warhawks become the second Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) school to win the national championship after UW-Oshkosh won titles in 1985 and 1994.

UW-Whitewater became the first school since North Carolina Wesleyan in 1999 to "run the table" at the national finals, winning the title without a loss in the double-elimination format tournament.

The UW-Whitewater/SUNY-Cortland game was played before a paid attendance of 1,929 at Fox Cities Stadium, the largest gathering for a championship game since 1986. The total attendance for the championships was 24,430, the second-largest in the 30-history of the NCAA Division III finals.

Kevin Tomasiewicz threw a complete-game victory for UW-Whitewater in his third appearance during the four games the Warhawks played during the five-day national tournament.

Tomasiewicz threw eight innings in the opening game of the tournament, an 8-3 win over Trinity College (Conn.) on Friday, then came in to throw the final two innings of relief in the 10-7 triumph over Wooster to earn the Warhawks a day off before Tuesday's national title game.

"I just did what I had to do to help the team," said Tomasiewicz, who earned tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. "I really wasn't thinking about the award at all. We needed a stop in Sunday night's game, so I came in and stopped it. Actually, I wasn't planning on starting until yesterday. I got the start again, and once I got to the fifth and sixth inning, I was like, 'I've got to finish this thing.' "

Tomasiewicz struck out three while walking two in his complete-game effort, his sixth of the season, enabling the Warhawks to finish 45-7 overall and win the national title for the first time in school history.

"To be a Warhawk and go out on top, people are going to look at you forever and say that you're the team to beat now," said Tomasiewicz, one of seven seniors on the UW-Whitewater roster.

Cortland State finished 43-9-1, advancing to the national title contest for the first time in school history.

After losing its first game, the Red Dragons won four straight games, including two games on Monday, to advance to Tuesday's final game. Meanwhile, UW-Whitewater had Monday off after sweeping its first three games.

"More than anything, it's a mental thing," said Cortland State coach Joe Brown. "The physical thing - these kids are strong, they can keep playing. You saw a yeoman-like effort from their pitcher today, phenomenal. But a mental day off is an amazing thing, sometimes. I think today, not physically but mentally, we were worn. We got down and we've come back so many times, but it's tough."

The Red Dragons committed four errors, leading to three unearned runs in the game.

UW-Whitewater pounded out 10 hits against three Cortland pitchers, scoring 10 runs in the first five innings to cruise to the victory.

Designated hitter Eddie Adamson went 2-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored to lead the Warhawks. In the team's four games, Adamson hit a team-high .471 (8-for-17) with eight RBI, one of three Whitewater players to earn All-Tournament Team honors.

Adamson supplied much of the early spark for UW-Whitewater on Tuesday. In the first inning, he laced a double off the left field wall, clearing the bases. Adamson came around to score himself on the play when the preceding runner collided with the catcher, sending the ball to the backstop, giving Whitewater a 4-0 lead. In the fourth, he hit a run-scoring single and later scored himself.

"I'm seeing the ball well, and I had the guys in front of me heating up," Adamson said. "When those guys are hitting the ball, I'm hitting the ball. My average is about 100 points higher when I've got guys in front of me on-base. So my success is their success."

Eric Baldwin, Jeff Newcomer and Greg Harder also had two hits for the Warhawks, with Newcomer driving in two runs. Leadoff hitter Ross Klawitter scored three runs, reaching base each of the four times he came to the plate on three walks and a hit-by-pitch.

Meanwhile, Aaron Guilbault, another All-Tournament Team selection, provided the exclamation point for the convincing victory, launching a towering home run to left field to lead off the eighth inning.

Cortland State starter Matt Miller lasted just three-and-two-third innings, allowing eight runs. Justin Mattes pitched an inning-and-a-third, and Jason Chyr threw three innings of relief.

Travis Robinson and Pat D'Auria had two hits each for the Red Dragons.

Cortland State the loaded the bases in the second inning, and two runs came across as Jimmy Basnight stroked a single to left, advancing to second on a fielding error.

In the third, UW-Whitewater added to its lead, as Nicholas Teach singled and scored on a single by Baldwin. Four more runs came across for the Warhawks in the fourth. UW-Whitewater put two runners aboard with two out, and Adamson drove Cortland State starter Miller from the game with a run-scoring single. Reliever Mattes, gave up a two-run single to Jeff Newcomer.

The Warhawks then pulled off a double steal, as Aaron Soto scored while Newcomer stole second.

Cortland State's D'Auria launched a shot that bounced off the top of the left-field wall and over for a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

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Seven Named To Baseball All-America Team

RELEASED: Thursday, June 2, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) individuals have been named to the 2005 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-America Team. UW-Oshkosh's Jeremy Jirschele, UW-Stevens Point's Steve Wiczek and UW-Whitewater's Greg Reinhard were named to the first team. UW-Oshkosh's Ned Yost and UW-Whitewater's Eddie Adamson and Kevin Tomasiewicz were second team selections, while UW-Whitewater's Ross Klawitter captured third team honors.

Jirschele, a senior second baseman from Clintonville, Wis., captured All-America first team status for the second consecutive season. He was named the WIAC Co-Position Player of the Year after leading the conference with a .520 on-base percentage, while ranking second with a .438 batting average and 19 doubles. Jirschele holds the WIAC career record with 660 at-bats and 53 doubles, while finishing second with 253 hits and fifth with 177 runs scored. He started all 169 games throughout his four-year career at UW-Oshkosh and played defensively in every out recorded by the Titans during that span - a total of 4,192 outs.

Wiczek, a senior designated hitter from Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH), set a WIAC single-season record with 85 hits. He was named the WIAC Co-Position Player of the Year after leading the league with a .445 batting average, a .817 slugging percentage, 18 home runs and 156 total bases. All of Wiczek's offensive numbers were school single-season records.

Reinhard, a junior righthanded pitcher from Marinette, Wis., led the league with a 1.82 earned run average, 146 strikeouts and a .155 opponent batting average, while placing second with 12 wins and 103.2 innings pitched. His 146 strikeouts set a WIAC single-season record, while his wins and innings pitched totals rank second on the league chart. Reinhard was named the WIAC Pitcher of the Year and set a conference record with 19 strikeouts against UW-Stout on April 17.

Yost, a senior first baseman from Marietta, Ga. (Lassiter H.S.), placed second in the conference with a .774 slugging percentage, fourth with a .413 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage, sixth with 60 runs scored, seventh with 11 home runs and eighth with 26 walks and 15 doubles.

Adamson, a junior outfielder from Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton-Warrenville South H.S.), led the WIAC with 73 RBIs and 20 doubles, while ranking second with 82 hits, third with a .421 batting average and 134 total bases, fourth with 195 at-bats and fifth with a .496 on-base percentage. His 82 hits established a school single-season record and rank third on the league's chart, while his 20 doubles are the second-highest mark in WIAC history.

Tomasiewicz, a senior lefthanded pitcher from Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (Dundee-Crown H.S.), claimed All-America honors for the second time in his career after securing third team status in 2003. This season, he set a league single-season record with 15 wins and 108.0 innings pitched. Tomasiewicz placed second in the league with a 2.83 earned run average, 101 strikeouts and a .235 opponent batting average

Klawitter, a senior shortstop from Janesville, Wis. (Craig H.S.), led the conference with 249 total plate appearances, 77 runs scored and 40 walks, while ranking second with 137 total bases, third with a .504 on-base percentage, 196 at-bats and 14 home runs and fourth with a .699 slugging percentage and 62 RBIs. His 77 runs scored are a school single-season record and rank third on the WIAC chart.

All seven individuals also received all-Midwest Region first team honors from the ABCA. Also claiming first team honors were UW-Stevens Point's Chuck Brehm and J.C. Reinke and UW-Whitewater's Eric Baldwin.

Named to the second team were: UW-Stevens Point's Jake Frombach and Ryan Jones and UW-Whitewater's Dan Gnatzig and Aaron Guilbault.

Third team selections included: UW-Oshkosh's Ben Huffman, UW-Stevens Point's Matt Polomis and Tim Schlosser, UW-Stout's Seth Maier and UW-Whitewater's Aaron Soto.

The ABCA recognized 48 individuals to the 2005 NCAA Division III all-Midwest Region squad (15 on the first team, 15 on the second team and 18 on the third team), which also included the Lake Michigan Conference, Midwest Conference, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. All first team members were eligible for All-America accolades.

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UW-Stevens Point's Wiczek and UW-Whitewater's Reinhard Earn NCBWA Awards

RELEASED: Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Steve Wiczek and UW-Whitewater's Greg Reinhard have been recognized by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) for their efforts during the 2005 season. Wiczek was named the NCAA Division III Position Player of the Year, while Reinhard was honored as the NCAA Division III Pitcher of the Year.

Both individuals also received the corresponding Midwest Region awards from the NCBWA.

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UW-Stevens Point's Brehm Named To Academic All-America Third Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, June 1, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Chuck Brehm has been named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Baseball Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Brehm, a junior outfielder from Spencer, Wis., carries a 3.84 grade point average and is majoring in physical education. He has twice been honored as UW-Stevens Point's Physical Education major of the year and is currently president of the school's SHAPER Club for physical education majors. Brehm received the WIAC Max Sparger Baseball Scholar-Athlete Award earlier this year.

Brehm captured all-WIAC first team honors this season after ranking third in the conference with 14 home runs, sixth with a .688 slugging percentage, seventh with a .481 on-base percentage, eighth with 68 hits, 59 runs scored and 54 RBIs, ninth with a .386 batting average and 10th with 176 at-bats. He was an all-WIAC honorable mention selection in 2004.

The Academic All-America Team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA athletes from around the country.

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UW-Whitewater Defeats UW-Stevens Point To Advance To NCAA Division III Baseball Championship

Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated UW-Stevens Point, 7-3, on Sunday, May 22 at Prucha Field in the Whitewater Regional Final to advance to the 2005 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship in Grand Chute, Wis. on May 27-31.

UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater have seen plenty of each other on the baseball diamond over the last 17 days and it was the Warhawks who claimed the ninth and final encounter.

UW-Stevens Point won five of the nine matchups, but was unable to solve Warhawks' ace pitchers Greg Reinhard and Kevin Tomasiewicz in the final showdown. Overall, the two teams combined for a 70-9 record in games against other opponents as the Pointers ended their year with a 38-11 mark and UW-Whitewater takes a 41-7 record to Appleton.

It is the Warhawks' second straight trip to the World Series and third overall (2005, 2004, 1989). UW-Stevens Point was playing in its third regional final game since 1997 and aimed for its second trip to the finals.

UW-Whitewater jumped on top early when Aaron Soto doubled and moved to third on an outfield error before scoring on a single by Jeff Newcomer. With two outs in the inning, co-tournament MVP Dan Gnatzig hit a bizarre three-run homer that bounced out of the glove of Pointers' centerfielder Joel Hojnacki and over the outfield wall for a 4-0 advantage.

The Warhawks build the lead to 7-0 with a three-run fourth as Eric Baldwin hit a sacrifice fly and Aaron Guilbault followed with a two-run homer to left field.

Meanwhile, Reinhard cruised through the first four innings, allowing just one hit. The Pointers threatened in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs when Reinhard struck out Tim Schlosser on a 3-2 pitch to end the rally. In the top of the sixth, the Pointers finally got to Reinhard, scoring all three runs on back-to-back pitches. Matt Polomis ripped a run-scoring double and Nat Richter followed with a two-run homer.

The Pointers appeared to have momentum heading into the final innings when Kevin Pankow came on in relief in the bottom of the sixth and forced Soto to line into a double play with the bases loaded. However, Reinhard struck out the side in the seventh and Tomasiewicz came on in the eighth to retire six of seven batters faced. Reinhard finished the day with eight strikeouts in seven innings despite throwing on short rest. The junior, who shared tournament MVP honors, threw 13 1/3 innings in the tournament and 25 1/3 innings over the past eight days.

Soto was three-for-four to lead the Warhawks, while Richter finished two-for-four for the Pointers. Freshman Mike Rickert took the loss for the Pointers after starting a championship game against the Warhawks for the third straight weekend, getting the ball in the WIAC regular season and tournament championship games as well.

The Warhawks had five individuals join Gnatzig and Reinhard of the all-tournament team. Tomasiewicz, Soto, Ross Klawitter, Eric Baldwin and Aaron Guilbault were recognized.

The Pointers landed five players on the all-tournament team as Polomis, Schlosser, Wiczek, Jake Frombach and Ryan Jones were all honored.

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UW-Oshkosh's Jirschele and UW-Stevens Point's Wiczek Share Position Player of the Year Award; UW-Whitewater's Reinhard Named Pitcher of the Year

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Jeremy Jirschele and UW-Stevens Point's Steve Wiczek have been named Co-Position Players of the Year and UW-Whitewater's Greg Reinhard was selected the Pitcher of the Year to headline the 20 individuals voted to the 2005 all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Baseball Team by the league coaches.

Jirschele secured the Player of the Year award for the second straight season after leading the conference with 19 doubles, while ranking second with four triples, third with a .438 batting average, a .520 on-base percentage and 71 hits, seventh with a .698 slugging percentage, eighth with 49 RBIs and 199 plate appearances and ninth with 50 runs scored. He holds the WIAC career record with 660 at-bats and 53 doubles, while finishing second with 253 hits and fifth with 177 runs scored.

Jirschele recorded a hit in 37 of 42 games this year, including 22 multi-hit contests and 14 multi-RBI performances. He started all 169 games throughout his four-year career at UW-Oshkosh and played defensively in every out recorded by the Titans during that span - a total of 4,192 outs. Jirschele was a honorable mention selection in 2003.

Wiczek leads the conference with a .468 batting average, a .848 slugging percentage, a .537 slugging percentage, 16 home runs and 80 hits, while ranking second with 64 RBIs, third with 17 doubles, fourth with 171 at-bats, fifth with 58 runs scored and seventh with 201 plate appearances.

Wiczek has hit safely in 42 of the Pointers' 44 games this season, including 25 multi-hit performances and 19 multi-RBI contests. His 80 hits, 64 RBIs, 16 home runs and 145 total bases this year have established school single-season records.

Reinhard leads the league with a 1.33 earned run average, 120 strikeouts, 81.1 innings pitched and a .134 opponent batting average, while ranking second with nine wins. His 120 strikeouts this year are a conference single-season record. Reinhard set a WIAC single-game record with 19 strikeouts against UW-Stout on April 17. He also had six games with 10 or more strikeouts this year. Reinhard was a first team selection last season.

UW-Whitewater had a league-high six individuals united with Reinhard on the first team after the squad claimed its third consecutive conference championship and fifth in the last six seasons.

Eddie Adamson leads the WIAC with 65 RBIs, while ranking second with a .451 batting average, .529 on-base percentage, 73 hits and 18 doubles, third with a .741 slugging percentage, eighth with nine home runs and ninth with 24 walks.

Eric Baldwin places third in the conference with 61 RBIs, sixth with 11 home runs, seventh with 53 runs scored and eighth with a .691 slugging percentage. He was a honorable mention choice in 2004.

Dan Gnatzig ranks second in the league with 64 runs scored, fourth with 208 plate appearances and 69 hits, fifth with a .411 batting average, sixth with 168 at-bats and seventh with a .498 on-base percentage. He claimed honorable mention accolades during the 2003 campaign.

Aaron Guilbault was a honorable mention selection a season ago. This year, he is sixth in the WIAC with 55 runs scored, eighth with a .485 on-base percentage and 63 hits and ninth with 48 RBIs.

Ross Klawitter leads the conference with 211 plate appearances, 65 runs scored and 36 walks, while placing fourth with a .726 slugging percentage, a .519 on-base percentage, 57 RBIs, 12 home runs and 16 doubles, sixth with 65 hits and 10th with a .396 batting average and 164 at-bats.

Kevin Tomasiewicz also secured first team status during the 2003 season. This year, he has tied the conference single-season record with 12 wins, while ranking second with a 2.76 earned run average, 78.1 innings pitched, 82 strikeouts, a .228 opponent batting average and fourth with 15 appearances. Tomasiewicz is the league's all-time leader with 32 victories.

UW-Stevens Point's Wizcek is joined on the first team by teammates Chuck Brehm, Jake Frombach, Ryan Jones and J.C. Reinke. Brehm places third in the league with 13 home runs, fifth with a .715 slugging percentage, sixth with 12 stolen bases, seventh with 53 runs scored and 51 RBIs, eighth with 63 hits and ninth with a .399 batting average and a .484 on-base percentage. He claimed honorable mention honors a season ago.

Frombach leads the conference with 211 plate appearances and 184 at-bats, while ranking fifth with 67 hits, eighth with 14 doubles and 10th with 49 runs scored. He was a first team selection last year after claiming honorable mention status in 2003.

Jones secured first team recognition for the third time in his career after leading the league with 16 home runs, while placing third with 63 runs scored and 29 walks, fifth with 53 RBIs and 205 plate appearances and sixth with 168 at-bats and a .702 slugging percentage. Jones' 16 home runs this year are a school single-season record and he holds UW-Stevens Point's career records with 583 at-bats, 203 hits, 185 runs scored, 165 RBIs, 49 home runs and 387 total bases. He also claimed first team honors in 2003 and 2002.

Reinke is third in the WIAC with a 2.82 earned run average and a .242 opponent batting average, fourth with six wins, 55 strikeouts and 70.1 innings pitched.

UW-Oshkosh had a pair of individuals join Jirschele as first team honorees. Ned Yost ranks second in the WIAC with a .774 slugging percentage and four triples, fourth with a .413 batting average and 60 runs scored, fifth with 26 walks, sixth with 11 home runs and a .500 on-base percentage and seventh with 64 hits and 15 doubles.

Ben Huffman claimed first team honors for the second straight year after receiving honorable mention status in 2003. This season, he places third in the conference with 62 strikeouts and seven wins, fifth with 65.1 innings pitched and sixth with a 4.55 earned run average and a .257 opponent batting average. Huffman compiled 25 victories during his career, which are fourth on the conference's all-time list.

UW-Stout's Seth Maier, Greg Meinertz and Tim Nielson all received first team status. Maier ranks fourth in the WIAC with 16 doubles, sixth with a .409 batting average, ninth with a .611 slugging percentage and 10th with a .476 on-base percentage. Maier also earned first team honors during the 2003 season.

Meinertz claimed first team status for the third straight year after leading the Blue Devils with three triples and placing second with six home runs and 28 RBIs. He was third on the squad with a .329 batting average, a .564 slugging percentage and nine doubles.

Nielson secured first team accolades for the second straight year. He ranks third in the league with 15 stolen bases, fourth with 12 home runs, ninth with 48 RBIs and 10th with a .610 slugging percentage.

UW-La Crosse's Andy Podmolik leads the conference with five triples, while ranking third with 15 stolen bases and eighth with a .400 batting average. He was a honorable mention choice a season ago.

UW-Platteville's Ryan Slaght places third in the WIAC with 77.0 innings pitched, six with five wins and ninth with a 5.38 earned run average and 38 strikeouts.

Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-La Crosse's Joe Bemis, Dan Graziano, Matt Zieba and Matt Zurbriggen, UW-Platteville's Matt Huckstep, David Reifenberger and E.J. Zbikowski, UW-Stevens Point's Kevin Pankow, Matt Polomis, Tim Schlosser and Jordan Zimmermann, UW-Superior's Andy Paul and Eric Pokornowski and UW-Whitewater's Jeff Newcomer and Nicholas Teach.

UW-Stevens Point head coach Pat Bloom was voted the Coach of the Year after leading the Pointers to a 19-5 conference mark and a 35-9 overall record. The Pointers' 35 wins this season are the most since the school record of 37 set in 2002. Bloom is in his second season with UW-Stevens Point and has accumulated a 60-25 record (.706 winning percentage).

2005 All-WIAC Baseball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Eddie Adamson, Whitewater, Junior, Outfield, Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton-Warrenville South)
Eric Baldwin, Whitewater, Senior, Outfield, Beaver Dam
Chuck Brehm, Stevens Point, Junior, Outfield, Spencer
Jake Frombach, Stevens Point, Junior, Shortstop, Stratford
Dan Gnatzig, Whitewater, Senior, Outfield, Whitewater
Aaron Guilbault, Whitewater, Senior, Catcher, Brodhead
Ben Huffman, Oshkosh, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Mequon (Homestead)
Jeremy Jirschele, Oshkosh, Senior, Secondbase, Clintonville
Ryan Jones, Stevens Point, Senior, Firstbase, Eau Claire (North)
Ross Klawitter, Whitewater, Senior, Shortstop, Janesville (Craig)
Seth Maier, Stout, Junior, Outfield, Park Falls
Greg Meinertz, Stout, Senior, Catcher, La Crosse (Central)
Tim Nielson, Stout, Junior, Shortstop, Rosemount, Minn.
Andy Podmolik, La Crosse, Sophomore, Outfield, Phillips
Greg Reinhard, Whitewater, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Marinette
J.C. Reinke, Stevens Point, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Bonduel
Ryan Slaght, Platteville, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Baraboo
Kevin Tomasiewicz, Whitewater, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (Dundee-Crown)
Ned Yost, Oshkosh, Senior, Firstbase, Marietta, Ga. (Lassiter)
Steve Wiczek, Stevens Point, Senior, Designated Hitter, Stevens Point (SPASH)

Honorable Mention
Joe Bemis, La Crosse, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Stoughton
Dan Graziano, La Crosse, Senior, Catcher, Greenfield
Matt Huckstep, Platteville, Sophomore, Shortstop, Lafayette, Ind. (McCutcheon)
Jeff Newcomer, Whitewater, Senior, Shortstop, Monroe
Kevin Pankow, Stevens Point, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Oconomowoc
Andy Paul, Superior, Senior, Catcher, Grand Rapids, Minn.
Eric Pokornowski, Superior, Senior, Thirdbase, Cokato, Minn.
Matt Polomis, Stevens Point, Senior, Outfield, Wausaukee
David Reifenberger, Platteville, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, West Lafayette, Ind. (Harrison)
David Reifenberger, Platteville, Senior, Catcher/Designated Hitter, West Lafayette, Ind. (Harrison)
Tim Schlosser, Stevens Point, Freshman, Thirdbase, Oconomowoc
Nicholas Teach, Whitewater, Junior, Secondbase, New Berlin (Eisenhower)
Jordan Zimmermann, Stevens Point, Freshman, Righthanded Pitcher, Auburndale
E.J. Zbikowski, Platteville, Senior, Firstbase, Arlington Heights, Ill. (Buffalo Grove)
Matt Zieba, La Crosse, Senior, Outfield, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Matt Zurbriggen, La Crosse, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Onalaska

Co-Position Players of the Year: Jeremy Jirschele of UW-Oshkosh and Steve Wiczek of UW-Stevens Point

Pitcher of the Year: Greg Reinhard of UW-Whitewater

Max Sparger Co-Scholar-Athletes: Eric Baldwin of UW-Whitewater and Chuck Brehm of UW-Stevens Point

Coach of the Year: Pat Bloom of UW-Stevens Point

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UW-Whitewater's Baldwin and UW-Stevens Point's Brehm Named Baseball Co-Scholar-Athletes

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Eric Baldwin and UW-Stevens Point's Chuck Brehm have been named 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Co-Scholar-Athletes, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Baldwin, a senior from Beaver Dam, Wis., is majoring in psychology with a minor in mathematics and posts a 3.80 grade point average. He is a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and was the recipient of UW-Whitewater's Chancellor's Student-Athlete Award earlier this year. Baldwin has twice been honored with the Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award and has been named to UW-Whitewater's Honor Roll every semester he has attended the institution.

Baldwin, a team captain this year, recently claimed all-WIAC first team status after securing honorable mention honors last season. He also received all-Midwest Region honors in 2004 and has been a member of three WIAC championship teams.

Brehm, a junior from Spencer, Wis., carries a 3.84 grade point average and is majoring in physical education with a minor in health education. He is a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been named to his school's Dean's List on numerous occasions. He has also received Highest Honors four semesters. Brehm has twice been honored as UW-Stevens Point's Physical Education major of the year.

Brehm recently captured all-WIAC first team honors after receiving honorable mention status a year ago.

Brehm is president of the school's SHAPER Club for physical education majors and is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has also volunteered as a math tutor for local high school students.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater Receive NCAA Baseball Bids

RELEASED: Monday, May 16, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater have received bids to the 2005 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament and will participate in regional competition that will be hosted by UW-Whitewater on May 19-22.

UW-Stevens Point received a bid into the NCAA Tournament by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament title, while UW-Whitewater, the conference's regular-season champion, earned one of just three at-large bids into the 42-team field. This marks the third time in the last five seasons that the WIAC has sent two teams into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

UW-Stevens Point (35-9) is the top seed in the four-team double-elimination regional at Whitewater and will face fourth-seeded St. Scholastica (Minn.) (35-5-1). UW-Whitewater (38-6) is the second seed will play third-seeded St. Thomas (Minn.) (30-10).

This represents UW-Stevens Point's seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament and first since 2002, while UW-Whitewater is making its third consecutive appearance and 10th overall.

St. Thomas claimed the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles, while St. Scholastica secured the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference championship.

2005 NCAA Division III Baseball Whitewater Regional Schedule:
Thursday, May 19
Game #1--UW-Whitewater vs. St. Thomas (MN), 11:00 a.m.
Game #2--UW-Stevens Point vs. St. Scholastica (MN), 2:30 p.m.

Friday, May 20
Game #3--Loser of Game #1 vs. Loser of Game #2, 11:00 a.m.
Game #4--Winner of Game #1 vs. Winner of Game #2, 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 21
Game #5--Winner of Game #3 vs. Loser of Game #4, 11:00 a.m.
Game #6--Winner of Game #4 vs. Winner of Game #5, 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 22
Game #7 (if necessary)--Same teams as Game #6, Noon

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UW-Stevens Point's Brehm and UW-Stout's Meinertz Named To Academic All-District Baseball Team

RELEASED: Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Chuck Brehm and UW-Stout's Greg Meinertz have been named to the 2005 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Baseball First Team.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Brehm, a junior from Spencer, Wis., carries a 3.84 grade point average and is majoring in physical education. He has twice been honored as UW-Stevens Point's Physical Education major of the year and is currently president of the school's SHAPER Club for physical education majors. He has also volunteered as a math tutor for local high school students. Brehm was an all-WIAC honorable mention selection last season.

Meinertz, a senior from La Crosse, Wis. (Central H.S.), is majoring in technology education and maintains a 3.60 grade point average. He has received the UW-Stout's Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence. Meinertz was an all-WIAC first team choice in 2004 and 2003 and was also named to the all-Midwest Region squad each season.

Brehm and Meinertz are now eligible for the Academic All-America squad, which will be announced on May 31.

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UW-Whitewater Wins Third Consecutive Baseball Championship

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater claimed its third consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) baseball championship with 5-3 and 5-0 victories over UW-Stevens Point at University Field in Stevens Point on May 7.

The conference title for the Warhawks is the fifth in the last six seasons and the ninth in school history (2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1965, 1960, 1958, 1957).

UW-Stevens Point entered the day with a one-game lead over the Warhawks in the standings, but UW-Whitewater moved ahead with the two victories and claimed the top seed for next weekend's conference tournament in Wisconsin Rapids. The Warhawks will face fourth-seeded UW-Platteville at 10 a.m. and the second-seeded Pointers take on third-seeded UW-Oshkosh at 1 p.m.

After pounding out 31 runs and 35 hits in a doubleheader sweep of the Warhawks on May 6, the Pointers were limited to seven hits in the opener by senior lefty Kevin Tomasiewicz and four hits in the nightcap by junior righty Greg Reinhard. UW-Stevens Point finished the regular season at 32-8 overall and 19-5 in the WIAC, while UW-Whitewater is 36-4 overall and 20-4 in the league.

The Pointers did all their scoring in the first three innings of the opening game, tallying two runs against Tomasiewicz in the second inning to snap his scoreless innings streak at 34 straight. Nat Richter had a fielders' choice groundout with the bases loaded and none out to drive home the first run and then got caught in a rundown to allow Chuck Brehm to score from third base for a 2-0 lead.

UW-Whitewater plated a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning as Aaron Soto had a run-scoring single and Jeff Newcomer hit a sacrifice fly. Joel Hojnacki led off the third with a solo homer for the Pointers, but Eric Baldwin tied the game for the Warhawks with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning.

After two outs in the UW-Whitewater fourth, Greg Harder walked and scored on a double by Nick Teach. It was the story of the day for the Pointers, who walked 11 batters and saw eight of them score.

The Pointers left runners at second and third in the sixth and first and second in the seventh, failing to score in each inning. Soto added an RBI single in the eighth for the Warhawks' final run. Matt Polomis took the loss for the Pointers and pitched seven innings, retiring the last 10 batters. Tomasiewicz finished with eight strikeouts and four walks to record his 12th win of the season.

All five of UW-Whitewater's runs in the second game reached base by walks as the Warhawks got a run-scoring single by Eddie Adamson and a sacrifice fly by Soto after two Pointers errors for a pair of unearned runs in the third. Dan Gnatzig added a run-scoring single in the fourth and Adamson had a two-run single in the seventh.

The Pointers mounted little offense against Reinhard until the ninth when they had two of their four hits and loaded the bases, but he recorded his 14th strikeout of the game to end the threat and seal the title-clinching win. Reinhard improved to 8-0 on the season for the Warhawks, while Mike Rickert took the loss for UW-Stevens Point and fell to 3-1.

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UW-Whitewater's Vodenlich Claims 100th Career Win

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater head coach John Vodenlich claimed his 100th career win in UW-Whitewater's 20-13 victory over UW-Oshkosh on May 1 at Prucha Field in Whitewater.

Vodenlich is in his second season with the Warhawks and has compiled a 71-11 overall record. He also accumulated at 29-40 record while coaching at Edgewood College from 1998-99.

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UW-Stout's Walter Wins 200th Career Game

University of Wisconsin-Stout head coach Craig Walter won his 200th career game in UW-Stout's 11-9 win over UW-Platteville on April 30 at Kendall Murray Field in Platteville. Walter is in his fourth season with the Blue Devils and has compiled a 57-95 overall record. He was 120-110 in six years at UW-Eau Claire (1990-95) and 23-14 in one season with UW-River Falls (1996).

Walter's overall record in 11 seasons stands at 200-219, including 117-86 in WIAC contests. His 200 career wins rank fifth on the conference's all-time list.

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UW-Whitewater's Tomasiewicz Becomes Conference's All-Time Wins Leader

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior lefthanded pitcher Kevin Tomasiewicz became the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) all-time wins leader in the Warhawks' 14-0 seven-inning victory over UW-Stout on April 17 at Prucha Field.

Tomasiewicz, a native of Sleepy Hollow, Ill., now has 28 wins in his career (28-4 overall record) to surpass the previous mark of 27 set by UW-Whitewater's Brady Endl from 2001-04. Tomasiewicz is 8-0 this season after the victory over the Blue Devils and he registered six wins in 2002, 10 victories in 2003 and four wins a season ago.

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