Spring Break
Warhawks claim NCAA berth
Baseball team lands No. 3 seed in Central Region
Christopher Kuhagen
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Sports
While the 'Hawks did damage outside of the WIAC, Vodenlich said the committee couldn't overlook that his team defeated UW-Stevens Point (29-14), the conference tournament champions, five of seven times.
"We persevered," senior rightfielder Kevin Zalnis said. "Nobody gave us a shot. If you looked at all the D3 polls and blogs, nobody gave us a chance."
If UW-Whitewater is going to make it out of its regional and back to the NCAA World Series in Grand Chute, Wis., where they took third last year, consistency in pitching will be a priority.
During last week's two wins in the WIAC tournament, the 'Hawks allowed four total runs. But in their two losses, they gave up 23 runs.
The 'Hawks, who were looking to win their first conference tournament since 2004, lost their opening round game to UW-Stevens Point, but came back to win their next two - crushing UW-Oshkosh and edging out the Pointers in a 3-2 victory.
But the 'Hawks couldn't keep the momentum in the championship final, as they were blown out by the Pointers, 11-1.
"Our conference tournament is always a battle no matter who we play," UW-Stevens Point head coach Pat Bloom said. "I was proud of the way our guys came down, with a confident and collected toughness to be able to play good baseball when it mattered most."
But Vodenlich knows his team will perform when the regional begins today.
"All our third place finishes, our national title, those were all at-large bids," Vodenlich said. "And I have no doubt if we were given the opportunity that we would perform very well. So I have 100 percent confidence in them."
Now, they have that chance.
"We persevered," senior rightfielder Kevin Zalnis said. "Nobody gave us a shot. If you looked at all the D3 polls and blogs, nobody gave us a chance."
If UW-Whitewater is going to make it out of its regional and back to the NCAA World Series in Grand Chute, Wis., where they took third last year, consistency in pitching will be a priority.
During last week's two wins in the WIAC tournament, the 'Hawks allowed four total runs. But in their two losses, they gave up 23 runs.
The 'Hawks, who were looking to win their first conference tournament since 2004, lost their opening round game to UW-Stevens Point, but came back to win their next two - crushing UW-Oshkosh and edging out the Pointers in a 3-2 victory.
But the 'Hawks couldn't keep the momentum in the championship final, as they were blown out by the Pointers, 11-1.
"Our conference tournament is always a battle no matter who we play," UW-Stevens Point head coach Pat Bloom said. "I was proud of the way our guys came down, with a confident and collected toughness to be able to play good baseball when it mattered most."
But Vodenlich knows his team will perform when the regional begins today.
"All our third place finishes, our national title, those were all at-large bids," Vodenlich said. "And I have no doubt if we were given the opportunity that we would perform very well. So I have 100 percent confidence in them."
Now, they have that chance.
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