2004 WIAC Baseball Headlines

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

RELEASED: Tuesday, September 7, 2004

Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball head coach John Vodenlich has been named the American Baseball Coaches Association/Diamond Sports Company National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Central Regional Coach of the Year. Vodenlich received this award on the wings of a stellar season by the Warhawks as he guided them the third place game at the 2004 NCAA Division III World Series.

In 2004, the Warhawks were crowned the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Champion, WIAC Tournament Champion and NCAA Division III Regional Champion as they compiled a record of 39-9, while he was named WIAC Coach of the Year. In their record-breaking season the Warhawks set new standards for wins, winning percentage, base hits runs scored, runs batted in, total bases, runs per game, lowest team earned run average and most strikeouts by the pitching staff.

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Schwarz Named UW-La Crosse Baseball Coach

RELEASED: Monday, August 23, 2004

La Crosse, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has named Chris Schwarz as its head baseball coach, according to athletic director Joe Baker. Schwarz’ position is a one-year interim appointment and he begins his duties immediately. He replaces George Williams, who resigned in June to go into private business.

“I am extremely honored and proud to have been given this opportunity, and would like to thank all those who have helped prepare me for this challange,” said Schwarz. “I look forward to a productive and successful season.”

Schwarz served as an assistant baseball coach at UW-L in 2003 and 2004 under Williams. He assisted with on-field coaching, one-on-one instruction and organized practice sessions as well as the conditioning workouts for the pitching staff. The Eagles went 34-48 overall and 23-22 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference the last two seasons.

He served as head baseball coach of the Manitowoc (Wis.) Bandits Semi-Professional Team from 2002-2003. A member of the Wisconsin State League Baseball Association, Manitowoc had back-to-back winning seasons under Schwarz finishing 39-22 in 2002 and 41-19 in 2003.

Schwarz was a four-year baseball letter winner at UW-L and was named to the 2002 All-WIAC Honorable Mention Team after pitching in a school record 19 games. He went 2-1 with a 4.32 earned run average and had a team-leading seven saves, tied for second-most in single-season school history. Schwarz is second in career saves at UW-L with 10. A member of two WIAC Championship teams (1998, 2000), Schwarz was the Eagles’ team captain in 2002.

He also earned three letters with the UW-L football team and was a member of the conference champion squad in 1999. Schwarz was an assistant football coach for the Eagles in 2002 and 2003 helping with the defensive backs. UW-L captured the WIAC title the last two seasons, advancing to the NCAA III Playoffs each year.

Schwarz earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education from UW-L in 2002 and his master of science degree in sports administration in 2004. He was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll in 2001 and 2002.

He served as a sport administrative intern with the La Crosse Loggers Baseball Organization in 2004.

UW-L finished 16-26 overall and 10-14 in the WIAC last year as the Eagles advanced to the conference tournament for the ninth straight season. UW-L returns 22 letter winners next season. “I expect great things from the team this year, and for years to come,” said Schwarz. “With the strength of those players returning, and a solid recruiting class, our goals will be set high.”

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UW-Whitewater's Endl Named Baseball Academic All-American of the Year; UW-Oshkosh's Heckendorf Earns Second Team Honors

RELEASED: Friday, June 11, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Brady Endl has been named the College Division Baseball Academic All-American of the Year and UW-Oshkosh's Kyle Heckendorf earned second team honors to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-America College Division Baseball Team.

Endl, a senior from Jefferson, Wis., is majoring in finance and maintains a 3.97 grade point average. He earned Academic All-America First Team honors for the second straight season and was also named the WIAC Max Sparger Baseball Scholar-Athlete. Endl has been recognized on UW-Whitewater's Dean's List and Honor Roll every semester.

Endl was named the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year this season by the American Baseball Coaches Association and was also named the WIAC Pitcher of the Year. He led the conference with 103 strikeouts, 84.2 innings pitched and 10 wins, while ranking second with a 2.34 ERA and batters hit .226 against him.

At the plate, Endl led the WIAC with a .821 slugging percentage, 63 RBIs, 18 home runs, 138 total bases and 34 walks, while ranking second with a .522 on-base percentage, 69 hits and 58 runs scored and fifth with a .411 batting average. He put together a 20-game hitting streak this season and recorded at least one hit in 41 of 48 games, including 23 multi-hit contests.

Endl becomes the second individual from the conference to earn the Academic All-American of the Year award this year. UW-Stevens Point's Jenny Bruce claimed the honor in women's soccer.

Heckendorf, a senior from Mosinee, Wis., is double-majoring in elementary education and special education and carries a 3.82 grade point average. He was an All-Midwest Region Third Team selection this season after playing in all 44 games for the Titans and registering a .359 batting average. Heckendorf also contributed 14 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 47 runs scored and 38 RBIs.

The Academic All-America Team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA athletes from around the country and is selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

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UW-Oshkosh's Feiner and UW-Whitewater's Callahan Sign Free Agent Contracts

RELEASED: Friday, June 11, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Korey Feiner and UW-Whitewater's Ryan Callahan have both signed free agent contracts with Major League Baseball teams.

Feiner, a catcher from Sun Prairie, Wis., signed with the Minnesota Twins after playing in all 44 games for the Titans and posting a .331 batting average with 13 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 55 RBIs and 52 runs scored. He compiled a .589 slugging percentage and .466 on-base percentage en route to earning All-Midwest Region First Team accolades.

Callahan, a lefthanded pitcher from Janesville, Wis. (Parker H.S.), signed with the San Francisco Giants and will begin his career with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the Class A Northwest League. In 2004, he went 7-1 with a 2.21 ERA in 77.1 innings pitched. Callahan struck out 76 batters, while allowing just 25 walks and opponents batted .207 against him. He earned All-Midwest Region First Team honors for his efforts during the 2004 campaign.

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UW-Oshkosh's Timm and UW-Whitewater's Endl Selected In Amateur Baseball Draft

RELEASED: Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Jordan Timm and UW-Whitewater's Brady Endl were recently selected in the 2004 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

Timm, a lefthanded pitcher from Pine River, Wis. (Weyauwega-Fremont H.S.), was selected in the 14th round (417th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays. He is the 12th UW-Oshkosh player to be drafted since 1995.

Timm compiled a 7-4 record with two saves in 14 appearances in 2004. He hurled 83.1 innings and compiled a 2.38 ERA, 98 strikeouts and opponents batted just .238 against him this season. Timm earned All-Midwest Region Second Team honors and All-WIAC First Team accolades in 2004.

Timm was selected in the 15th round (434th overall) by the Baltimore Orioles last season, but opted to return to UW-Oshkosh for his senior season.

Endl, a lefthanded pitcher from Jefferson, Wis., was selected in the 10th round (311th overall) by the Atlanta Braves. He was named the NCAA Division III National Player of the Year this season after compiling a 10-2 record in 13 games. Endl also registered a league-high 84.2 innings pitched and 103 strikeouts enroute to a 2.34 ERA. He earned WIAC Pitcher of the Year honors for the second time in his career after receiving the honor in 2001.

Endl also helped the Warhawks at the plate in 2004, compiling a .411 batting average, .522 on-base percentage and .821 slugging percentage with 18 home runs, 13 doubles, 63 RBIs and 58 runs scored.

Endl is the 10th UW-Whitewater player to be selected in the draft.

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UW-Whitewater's Endl Named National Player of the Year; UW-Oshkosh's Jirschele Earns First Team Honors

RELEASED: Friday, June 4, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Brady Endl was named the National Player of the Year and UW-Oshkosh's Jeremy Jirschele earned first team honors to the 2004 Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America Team.

Endl, a native of Jefferson, Wis., earned ABCA All-America First Team honors as a pitcher and utility player. He led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) with a .821 slugging percentage, 63 RBIs, 18 home runs, 138 total bases and 34 walks, while ranking second with a .522 on-base percentage, 69 hits and 58 runs scored and fifth with a .411 batting average. Endl put together a 20-game hitting streak this season and recorded at least one hit in 41 of 48 games, including 23 multi-hit contests.

On the mound, Endl was named the WIAC Pitcher of the Year for the second time in his career after leading the league with 103 strikeouts, 84.2 innings pitched and 10 wins, while ranking second with a 2.34 ERA and batters hit .226 against him, the second-lowest mark in the conference. He recorded a season-high 12 strikeouts against UW-La Crosse on April 4 and UW-Oshkosh on April 26.

Endl matched the WIAC record with 27 career wins and ranks third on the conference's all-time list with 251 strikeouts and fourth with 261.2 innings pitched. Endl also owns UW-Whitewater's all-time mark in all three categories.

Endl becomes the second straight individual, and fourth overall, from the WIAC to capture national player of the year honors after UW-Oshkosh's Vince Mancuso won the award last year. Past league winners include UW-Oshkosh's Tim Jorgensen (1994 and 1995) and Chris Delarwelle (1990).

Jirschele, a junior second baseman from Clintonville, Wis., was named the WIAC Position Player of the Year in 2004 after leading the conference with 81 hits, 65 runs scored and 20 doubles, while ranking second with a .431 batting average, 59 RBIs, three triples and 125 total bases and fourth with a .665 slugging percentage and .493 on-base percentage.

Jirschele had 30 multiple-hit games in 2004, including 11 contests with three or more hits. He registered 16 multiple-RBI games, including 11 competitions with three or more RBIs. Jirschele put together 10-game and 12-game hitting streaks and committed only one error in the team's last 32 contests, a span of 175 chances.

Jirschele becomes the third Titan in the last two years to claim All-America First Team accolades from the ABCA. Jordan Timm and Mancuso were named to the squad a year ago.

The ABCA also recently named an All-Midwest squad and joining Endl and Jirschele on the first team were UW-Oshkosh's Korey Feiner, UW-Stevens Point's Matt Peetz and UW-Whitewater's Ryan Callahan and Greg Reinhard.

Named to the second team were UW-Oshkosh's Ben Huffman, Lucas Lechnir and Jordan Timm and UW-Whitewater's Eric Stangel.

Third team selections included UW-La Crosse's Chester Janke, UW-Oshkosh's Kyle Heckendorf and Josh Shere, UW-Platteville's Ryan Levendoski, UW-Stevens Point's Jake Frombach, UW-Stout's Greg Meinertz and UW-Whitewater's Eric Baldwin and Nic Teach.

The ABCA named 49 individuals to the 2004 NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region squad (15 on the first team, 16 on the second team and 18 on the third team), which also included the Lake Michigan Conference, Midwest Conference and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. All first team members were eligible for All-America accolades.

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Whitewater, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team recorded a 7-4 victory over St. Thomas (Minn.) on Monday, May 24 to earn a spot in the NCAA Division III Championship, which will be held Friday, May 28 - Tuesday, June 1 at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wis.

UW-Whitewater (37-7) will be making the school's second appearance in the eight-team double-elimination national tournament with the last trip occurring in 1989.

UW-Whitewater will face Rowan University (N.J.) (40-6) on May 28 at 4:30 p.m. The winner will face the winner of the Salisbury University (Md.) (37-11)/George Fox University (Ore.) (35-9) contest at 7:45 p.m. on May 29, while the non-winners will compete at 1:15 p.m. The Warhawks opened the 2004 season with a pair of games against Rowan in Naples, Fla. The Profs won the first game, 5-3, while UW-Whitewater claimed the second game 13-1.

In the regional contest against St. Thomas, UW-Whitewater scored a pair of runs in the first inning when Eric Stangel's groundout scored Ryan Callahan, who singled to lead-off the inning. Aaron Guilbault also singled in the inning to score Dan Gnatzig. The Warhawks added a run in the second inning when Ross Klawitter doubled, stole third and scored on a single by Callahan.

St. Thomas scored single runs in the fourth and fifth-innings to get within 4-2, but the Warhawks answered with two runs in the sixth on Justin Bushong's two-out, two-run single.

Callahan pitched 6.1 innings to pick up his sixth victory of the season, while Greg Reinhard and Kevin Tomasiewicz provided relief.

Callahan finished the day two-for-five with two RBIs, while Klawitter contributed three hits and three runs scored.

Klawitter was named the regional tournament Most Valuable Player and was joined on the regional all-tournament squad by Baldwin, Callahan, Gnatzig and Brady Endl.

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UW-Oshkosh's Jirschele and UW-Whitewater's Endl Top All-WIAC Baseball Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Jeremy Jirschele was voted the Position Player of the Year and UW-Whitewater's Brady Endl was selected the Pitcher of the Year to top the 2004 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Baseball Team.

Jirschele earned first team honors for the first time in his career after he claimed honorable mention status last season. He leads the conference with 81 hits, 65 runs scored, 59 RBIs and 20 doubles, while ranking second with a .431 batting average, 28 walks and three triples and fourth with a .665 slugging percentage and .493 on-base percentage.

Jirschele had 30 multiple-hit games in 2004, including 11 contests with three or more hits. He registered 16 multiple-RBI games, including 11 competitions with three or more RBIs. Jirschele put together 10-game and 12-game hitting streaks and committed only one error in the team's last 32 contests, a span of 175 chances.

Jirschele becomes the fourth Titan in school history to claim the conference's position player of the year honor, joining Vince Mancuso (2003), Tom Gessner (2000) and Erik Morrell (1997).

Endl earned first team honors for the sixth-time in his career after helping UW-Whitewater secure the WIAC regular-season and tournament championships and a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He earned the conference's pitcher of year award for the second time in his career, after receiving the honor in 2001, and becomes the first two-time winner in the eight-year history of the prize.

Endl leads the WIAC with eight wins and 11 starts, while ranking second with a 2.29 ERA and 85 strikeouts and third with 70.2 innings pitched. Opponents have a .226 batting average against him, the second-lowest mark in the conference. He recorded a season-high 12 strikeouts against UW-La Crosse on April 4 and UW-Oshkosh on April 26 and threw at least 7.0 innings in five of his 11 starting assignments.

Endl's 85 strikeouts have established a UW-Whitewater single-season record, while his 233 career strikeouts, 247.1 innings pitched and 25 wins top the Warhawks' all-time list. His 233 strikeouts and 25 victories rank fourth on the conference's all-time chart.

Endl also secured first team recognition as a first baseman. He leads the league with a .845 slugging percentage, 15 home runs and 29 walks, while ranking second with a .537 on-base percentage, third with a .430 batting average, 55 RBIs and 52 runs scored and eighth with 61 hits. Endl has committed only one error this year and recently had a 20-game hitting streak snapped. His 52 runs scored rank second on the school's single-season list and his 36 career home runs are second on the all-time list.

Endl was united on the first team with teammates Ryan Callahan, Greg Reinhard, Eric Stangel and Nic Teach.

Callahan earned first team recognition for the third time in his career after receiving the honor in 2003 and 2001. This season, he leads the conference with a 2.14 ERA and an opponents batting average of .189, while ranking third with 70 strikeouts, sixth with five wins and seventh with 63.0 innings pitched. Callahan's 187 career strikeouts and 196.2 career innings pitched rank second on UW-Whitewater's all-time list, while his 16 career victories rank fourth.

Reinhard leads the league with eight victories, while ranking sixth in the conference with a 2.67 ERA and ninth with 60.2 innings pitched. Opponents have batted .247 against him in 2004.

Stangel ranks fourth in the league with eight home runs, fifth with a .613 slugging percentage, sixth with 47 RBIs, seventh with a .380 batting average, eighth with 44 runs scored and ninth with 57 hits.

Teach has played in 35 of the Warhawks' 41 contests and has accumulated a .435 batting average with 40 hits, 31 runs scored, 22 RBIs, eight stolen bases, seven doubles and one home run.

Jirschele was joined on the first team by teammates Korey Feiner, Kyle Heckendorf, Ben Huffman, Lucas Lechnir, Josh Shere and Jordan Timm.

Feiner secured first team accolades for the second consecutive season after ranking second in the conference with nine home runs, third with 55 RBIs and 52 runs scored, fourth with 27 walks, fifth with a .466 on-base percentage, sixth with 13 doubles and eighth with a .589 slugging percentage.

Heckendorf was a honorable mention selection a year ago. This season, he ranks second in the league with three triples, third with 65 hits and 14 doubles, seventh with 47 runs scored, ninth with 38 RBIs and 10th with a .569 slugging percentage.

Huffman ranks third in the conference with seven wins, fourth with 64.2 innings pitched and 64 strikeouts, eighth with a 3.48 ERA and opponents batted .249 against him. He was a honorable mention pick in 2003.

Lechnir received first team honors for the second straight season after being a honorable mention choice in 2001. In 2004, the switch-hitter ranks second in the WIAC with 53 runs scored, 28 walks and nine home runs, fourth with 64 hits, fifth with 51 RBIs, seventh with a .459 on-base percentage, ninth with a .366 batting average and .571 slugging percentage. He enjoyed a team-best 17-game hitting streak this year. Lechnir's 634 career at-bats rank lead the conference's all-time list, while his 46 career doubles are third.

Shere ranks second in the conference with 58 RBIs, fifth with 51 runs scored, sixth with a .461 on-base percentage, 63 hits and 26 walks and seventh with a .590 slugging percentage. He secured first team accolades for the second consecutive season.

Timm was a first team selection for the second straight year after leading the league with 98 strikeouts, 83.1 innings pitched and seven complete games, while ranking third with a 2.38 ERA and seven victories and seventh with 14 appearances. His 98 strikeouts are the fourth-highest single-season total in conference history and his 283 career strikeouts established a league record, while his 264.1 career innings pitched rank third on the conference's all-time list.

UW-Stout had Greg Meinertz, James Foreman and Tim Nielson recognized on the first team. Meinertz earned first team honors for the second straight season after ranking sixth in the conference with a .596 slugging percentage and ninth with 38 RBIs. He accumulated a .362 batting average with 32 runs scored, 11 doubles, six home runs and two triples. Meinertz also threw out 63 percent (12-of-20) of runners attempting to steal.

Foreman ranks sixth in the league with a .390 batting average and 10th with a .439 on-base percentage, while adding 31 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 11 doubles and three home runs.

Nielson ranks fifth in the conference with a .417 batting average and eighth with a .452 on-base percentage. He also contributed 27 RBIs, nine doubles, two home runs and one triple to the Blue Devil offense in 2004.

UW-Stevens Point's Matt Peetz captured first team honors for the second consecutive year after leading the conference with a .465 batting average and .554 on-base percentage, while ranking second with a .732 slugging percentage and 66 hits, third with 14 doubles, fourth with 27 walks and eight home runs and seventh with 46 RBIs. He set UW-Stevens Point career records with a .396 batting average, 199 hits and 43 doubles.

Peetz was joined on the first team by teammate, Jake Frombach, who ranks eighth in the league with a .367 batting average and added 32 runs scored, 19 RBIs, six doubles and two home runs. Frombach was a honorable mention selection a year ago.

UW-La Crosse's Chester Janke received first team honors for the third straight season after earning honorable mention accolades in 2001. He batted .306 this year with 48 hits, 40 RBIs, 31 runs scored, 28 walks, five home runs and five doubles. Janke ranks first on UW-La Crosse's career list with 27 home runs, 25 hit-by-pitches and 143 RBIs, while placing second with 545 at-bats.

UW-Platteville's Ryan Levendoski ranks third in the league with a .494 on-base percentage and fourth with a .424 batting average and 64 hits. His 64 hits set a school single-season record and he hit safely in 34 of the last 37 games. Levendoski added 23 RBIs, 22 runs scored, 19 walks, three home runs, three doubles and one triple.

UW-Whitewater head coach John Vodenlich was voted the 2004 Coach of the Year by the league coaches. Vodenlich, in his first season at the helm of the Warhawks, has directed the club to a 34-7 record, their fourth regular-season championship in the last five seasons and the WIAC Tournament title.

Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-La Crosse's Steve Ems, Kellen Haynes, Kyle Kaufman, Andy Podmolik, Matt Zieba and Matt Zurbriggen, UW-Oshkosh's Bryan Schwebke, UW-Platteville's Bailey Brueggen, Paul Kane and Nick Pepper, UW-Stevens Point's Aaron Achterberg, Chuck Brehm, Matt Polomis, Matt Simonson and Joe Waksmonski, UW-Stout's Jake Riek, UW-Superior's Patrick Lind and Eric Pokornowski and UW-Whitewater's Eric Baldwin, Ryan Callahan and Aaron Guilbault.

2004 All-WIAC Baseball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Ryan Callahan, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Janesville (Parker)
Brady Endl, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Firstbase, Jefferson
Brady Endl, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Jefferson
Korey Feiner, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Catcher, Sun Prairie
James Foreman, UW-Stout, Senior, Designated Hitter, Apple Valley, Minn.
Jake Frombach, UW-Stevens Point, Sophomore, Secondbase, Stratford
Kyle Heckendorf, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Outfield, Mosinee
Ben Huffman, UW-Oshkosh, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Mequon (Homestead)
Chester Janke, UW-La Crosse, Senior, Firstbase, Black River Falls
Jeremy Jirschele, UW-Oshkosh, Junior, Secondbase, Clintonville
Lucas Lechnir, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Outfield, Mosinee
Ryan Levendoski, UW-Platteville, Senior, Catcher/Designated Hitter, Stoddard (De Soto)
Greg Meinertz, UW-Stout, Junior, Catcher, La Crosse (Central)
Tim Nielson, UW-Stout, Sophomore, Shortstop, Rosemount, Minn.
Matt Peetz, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Firstbase, Spring Green (River Valley)
Greg Reinhard, UW-Whitewater, Sophomore, Righthanded Pitcher, Marinette
Josh Shere, UW-Oshkosh, Sophomore, Thirdbase, Janesville (Craig)
Eric Stangel, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Thirdbase, Sheboygan (North)
Nic Teach, UW-Whitewater, Junior, Secondbase, New Berlin (Eisenhower)
Jordan Timm, UW-Oshkosh, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Pine River (Weyauwega-Fremont)

Honorable Mention
Aaron Achterberg, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Eau Claire (North)
Eric Baldwin, UW-Whitewater, Junior, Outfield, Beaver Dam
Chuck Brehm, UW-Stevens Point, Freshman, Outfield, Spencer
Bailey Brueggen, UW-Platteville, Senior, Outfield, Westby (Cashton)
Ryan Callahan, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Outfield, Janesville (Parker)
Steve Ems, UW-La Crosse, Freshman, Shortstop, Waterford
Aaron Guilbault, UW-Whitewater, Senior, Catcher, Brodhead
Kellen Haynes, UW-La Crosse, Junior, Secondbase, Carthage, N.Y.
Paul Kane, UW-Platteville, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Wisconsin Rapids (Lincoln)
Kyle Kaufman, UW-La Crosse, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Portage
Patrick Lind, UW-Superior, Junior, Shortstop, Isanti, Minn. (Cambridge-Isanti)
Nick Pepper, UW-Platteville, Sophomore, Shortstop, Sterling, Ill.
Andy Podmolik, UW-La Crosse, Freshman, Outfield, Phillips
Eric Pokornowski, UW-Superior, Junior, Thirdbase, Cokato, Minn. (Dassel-Cokato)
Matt Polomis, UW-Stevens Point, Junior, Outfield, Wausaukee
Jake Riek, UW-Stout, Senior, Outfield, Boyceville
Bryan Schwebke, UW-Oshkosh, Freshman, Outfield, Oshkosh (West)
Matt Simonson, UW-Stevens Point, Freshman, Righthanded Pitcher, Plover (Pacelli)
Joe Waksmonski, UW-Stevens Point, Senior, Catcher, Schofield (D.C. Everest)
Matt Zieba, UW-La Crosse, Junior, Shortstop/Outfield, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Park Center)
Matt Zurbriggen, UW-La Crosse, Sophomore, Righthanded Pitcher, Onalaska

Position Player of the Year: Jeremy Jirschele of UW-Oshkosh
Pitcher of the Year: Brady Endl of UW-Whitewater
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Brady Endl of UW-Whitewater
Coach of the Year: John Vodenlich of UW-Whitewater

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UW-Whitewater's Endl Named Baseball Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Brady Endl has been named the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Baseball Scholar-Athlete, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Endl, a senior from Jefferson, Wis., is majoring in finance and maintains a 4.00 grade point average. He was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Baseball First Team last year and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Endl has also been recognized on UW-Whitewater's Dean's List and Honor Roll every semester.

Endl helped UW-Whitewater to the 2004 WIAC regular-season and tournament championships and was named the WIAC Pitcher of the Year for the second time in his career. He also received the honor in 2001. Endl is a six-time All-WIAC First Team selection, earning honors at pitcher and firstbase in 2004 and 2002. He was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America Third Team in 2002 and is a three-time selection to the ABCA All-Midwest Region squad. Endl also holds UW-Whitewater's career records for wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.

Endl is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He has also served as a member of the WIAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as a note-taker for disabled students.

Endl becomes the fifth Warhawk baseball student-athlete to win the conference's scholar-athlete award, joining D.J. Cartledge (2003), Ryan Brookman (1999), Pat Tobiasz (1998) and Jim Bathey (1986).

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Chester Janke and Dan Mielke, UW-Oshkosh's Kyle Heckendorf and UW-Stevens Point's Matt Peetz.

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-Whitewater To Host NCAA Baseball Regional

RELEASED: Monday, May 17, 2004

Madison, Wis.--For the first time in school history, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host one of eight NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament Regionals on May 20 - May 23 at Prucha Field.

UW-Whitewater (34-7) received the automatic bid from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) into the national tournament by winning the league tournament May 15-16 in Whitewater. The Warhawks also claimed the regular season title for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

Concordia (Wis.) (20-16), Ripon (23-12) and St. Thomas (Minn.) (36-6) will also participate in the double-elimination tournament at Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater will face Concordia (Wis.) at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. Concordia won the Lake Michigan Conference tournament title after finishing fourth in the regular season. The winner of the UW-Whitewater/Concordia game will face the winner of the St. Thomas/Ripon matchup at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21, while the non-winners will play at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.

The winner of the Whitewater Regional will advance to the eight-team NCAA Division III World Series on May 28 - June 1 at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wis.

UW-Whitewater is making the ninth NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in school history and fourth in the last five seasons. The Warhawks own a 13-17 record in postseason competition and advanced to the World Series in 1989.

Whitewater Regional Schedule
Thursday, May 20
Game #1--St. Thomas (Minn.) (33-6, No. 2 Seed) vs. Ripon (23-12, No. 3 seed), 11:30 a.m.
Game #2--UW-Whitewater (34-7, No. 1 Seed) vs. Concordia (Wis.) (20-16, No. 4 seed), 3 p.m.

Friday, May 21
Game #3--Loser of Game #1 vs. Loser of Game #2, 11:30 a.m.
Game #4--Winner of Game #1 vs. Winner of Game #2, 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
Game #5--Winner of Game #3 vs. Loser of Game #4, 11:30 a.m.
Game #6--Winner of Game #4 vs. Winner of Game #5, 3 p.m.

Sunday, May 23
Game #7--Same teams as Game #6 (if necessary), noon

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Three Named To Academic All-District Baseball Team

RELEASED: Thursday, May 13, 2004

Madison, Wis.--Three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) student-athletes have been named to the 2004 CoSIDA Academic All-District Five College Division Baseball Team. UW-Oshkosh's Kyle Heckendorf and UW-Whitewater's Brady Endl and Eric Stangel have been named to the first team and are now eligible for the Academic All-America squad.

Heckendorf, a senior from Mosinee, Wis., is double-majoring in elementary education and special education and carries a 3.82 grade point average. He is a three-time member of UW-Oshkosh Dean's List. Heckendorf was an All-WIAC honorable mention pick in 2003.

Endl, a senior from Jefferson, Wis., is majoring in finance and sustains a 4.00 grade point average. He was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Baseball First Team last year. Endl earned American Baseball Coaches Association All-America Third Team honors in 2002 and is a four-time All-WIAC first team selection. He received the conference's pitcher of the year honor in 2001 and holds UW-Whitewater's career records for wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.

Stangel, a senior from Sheboygan, Wis. (North H.S.), maintains a 3.70 grade point average, while majoring in finance. He has been recognized on UW-Whitewater's Dean's List seven semesters and is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Stangel has been a member of two conference championship teams.

The academic all-district 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).

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UW-Oshkosh's Lechnir Records 500th Career Victory

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh baseball team defeated UW-La Crosse in game scores of 8-6 and 16-4 on Friday (May 7) in La Crosse to present Titans' head coach Tom Lechnir with his 500th coaching victory.

Lechnir, a 1982 graduate of UW-Oshkosh, is in his 16th season as head coach of the Titans. Lechnir now has an all-time coaching record of 500-151-1, with his victory count ranking second to Russ Tiedemann's 501 (501-168-2 record from 1968-1969 & 1971-1988) in UW-Oshkosh history.

In WIAC listings, Lechnir ranks third in coaching victories behind Tiedemann and the 537 wins of UW-Stout's Terry Petrie (537-401 record from 1971-2000).

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Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater won the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) baseball championship with a 1-0 10-inning victory over UW-Stevens Point on Saturday, May 1 at Prucha Field in Whitewater, Wis.

The conference title is the second straight for the Warhawks and fourth in the last five seasons. The Warhawks have now won eight league baseball titles (2003, 2001, 2000, 1965, 1960, 1958, 1957).

UW-Whitewater's Aaron Guilbault's run-scoring single in the bottom of the 10th inning scored Brady Endl to secure the conference crown for the Warhawks and earn the team's 15th consecutive victory. Endl reached base on a UW-Stevens Point error with two outs in the inning, advancing to second on the throwing mistake. Guilbault and Endl each had two hits in the contest.

The game was a dual between both pitching staffs as UW-Whitewater's Ryan Callahan threw all 10 innings and allowed just two hits with 10 strikeouts. He faced 34 batters, just four over the minimum to earn his fourth victory of the season. UW-Stevens Point's Shane Standifer tossed seven innings, scattering nine hits and striking out five. Kevin Pankow took the loss after working 2.2 innings and allowing one hit.

UW-Whitewater stranded 11 runners on base and UW-Stevens Point turned three double plays.

UW-Whitewater also earned the top seed for the WIAC Tournament and will host the four-team event on Friday-Saturday, May 14-15. The tournament winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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UW-Oshkosh To Pursue Another Bid For NCAA III Baseball Championship

RELEASED: Thursday, April 1, 2004

APPLETON, Wis.--The host institutions and the local organizing committee announced Thursday that they would pursue another bid to host the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, extending the stay of the event in the Fox Cities beyond 2005.

Department of Athletics officials from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Lawrence University, along with local championship committee President Rick Fantini, made the announcement at Fox Cities Stadium, site of the event.

The NCAA Division III Baseball Championship has been held at Fox Cities Stadium since 2000. UW-Oshkosh and Lawrence are co-hosts of the event, which will be played in Appleton for the fifth time from May 28-June 1. The championship also will take place at Fox Cities Stadium in 2005, when the current agreement to play the event here expires.

“We would like to make Appleton the Omaha of Division III,” said Fantini, referring to the permanent home of the Division I championship, Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb.

UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Al Ackerman said the NCAA has not set its timetable for the bidding process, but he expected the deadlines would be put in place sometime this summer. Ackerman also remarked that the NCAA has not set a number of years for the next agreement.

Under the current agreement, Appleton will have the second-longest tenure of any championship site at six years. Marietta, Ohio, hosted the tournament for 12 consecutive years, from its inception in 1976 through 1987. None of the other three sites, Bristol, Conn., Battle Creek, Mich., or Salem, Va., has hosted the championship for more than five years.

The championship has enjoyed unprecedented support since coming to Fox Cities Stadium. The previous attendance record was broken in 2002 when 19,575 fans came to the five-day event. A pair of records were shattered in 2003. A crowd of 3,868, a single-game record for the championship, watched Chapman University’s 6-1 victory over UW-Oshkosh. The total attendance record was broken for the second consecutive season, as a total of 29,543 fans attended the event.

Local participation, both from volunteers and teams, has been a hallmark of the championship’s tenure in Appleton.
The Fox Cities, traditionally known as a strong baseball area, has rallied behind the championship. Volunteers have served as host families, local businesses have purchased blocks of tickets, and academic institutions have provided their facilities for practice.

Local teams also have brought the fans out in droves. UW-Oshkosh made its 17th appearance in the championship when it played at Fox Cities Stadium in 2003. Lakeland College made its first trip to Fox Cities Stadium when it played in 2002.

The defending champion is Chapman University of Orange, Calif. The Panthers won the title with a 15-7 victory over Christopher Newport University. It was the first NCAA Division III baseball title for Chapman.

Fox Cities Stadium is the home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a Class A Midwest League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The 5,500-seat stadium also has hosted the past six Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Tournaments, the 1997 NCAA Division III Midwest Regional, and the 1996 Midwest League All-Star Game.

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Vito Named Head Baseball Coach At UW-Superior

RELEASED: Friday, August 15, 2003 (Written By: Dan Laughlin, UW-Superior Sports Info.)

Superior, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-Superior has named Chris Vito as its head baseball coach. Vito replaces Jim Stukel after serving four years as his assistant.

A native of Eveleth, Minnesota, Vito will continue his duties as Sports Information Director and as an instructor in the Health and Human Performance Department at UW-Superior.

"I am honored and thrilled to accept this position," Vito said. "To be named a head coach at my age (30) in the WIAC is very humbling. I would like to thank the administration for this tremendous opportunity."

"We look forward to having Chris continue to build the UW-Superior Baseball tradition," said UW-Superior Athletic Director Jeff Kaminsky. "His enthusiasm and work ethic will be exciting for the program."

Vito obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education from Moorhead State University in 1995 and earned his Master's Degree in Education with an Athletic Administration emphasis from North Dakota State University in 1999.

While attending NDSU, Vito served as a graduate assistant baseball coach with the Bison and worked as an administrative assistant in athletics. Vito has also served as an assistant baseball coach with the Hibbing, and Mountain Iron American Legion and VFW baseball programs, along with being an assistant baseball coach at Hibbing High School. Vito has also coached various levels of youth baseball in the Eveleth area, and was an assistant softball coach at Mesabi Community College.

"We are going to have a new attitude and a new approach," Vito said. "The WIAC is the strongest Division III athletic conference in the country. We are going to work harder than anyone in order to be successful. My philosophy is predicated on playing solid defense."

Vito will look to his returning veterans including shortstop Patrick Lind who was a First Team All-WIAC performer to lead his team, along with incoming freshmen who include Superior native Vince Viggiano.

"I think the pieces are in place for us to get this program turned around," Vito said. "We have a committed group of young men who are willing to do what it takes to be successful in the classroom and on the baseball diamond."

The Yellowjackets look forward to a renovated Ted Wheratt Field and bringing baseball back to the UW-Superior campus.

"This transformation is not going to happen over night," Vito said. "But I have absolutely no doubt that we can get this program competing with the elite in the WIAC."

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Bloom Named UW-Stevens Point Head Baseball Coach

RELEASED: Tuesday, July 15, 2003

Stevens Point, Wis.--Pat Bloom, a former pitcher and assistant coach at UW-Stevens Point, has been named the school's head baseball coach.

Bloom, a 2001 graduate of UW-Stevens Point, takes over for Brian Nelson, who accepted the head coaching position at Rockford College. Bloom has a psychology degree from UW-Stevens Point and recently completed a Master's Degree in Sports Sciences at Miami University (Ohio).

A Tomah native, Bloom played two seasons at Carthage College before completing his final two seasons at UW-Stevens Point. A relief pitcher, he was a member of two conference championship teams at Carthage and one Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title team at UW-Stevens Point. Bloom also played on Carthage's 1997 Division III World Series team that defeated UW-Stevens Point in the second round.

Following his playing career, Bloom spent one season under Nelson as the Pointers' pitching coach as UW-Stevens Point won the WIAC tournament and advanced to the Division III tournament.

He spent the past year as a graduate assistant in the Miami athletic department, working closely with the CHAMPS/Life Skills program and teaching two classes designed for freshman student-athletes. Bloom was also in charge of community service and leadership programming for Miami athletics.

"I'm very excited to be back in Point and closer to family and friends," Bloom said. "To come home and take care of a program that has flourished recently is a great honor. I hope to carry on what Brian has done and instill a few new things to take the program to the top."

UW-Stevens Point has one of the nation's winningest Division III programs over the past seven years with a 212-82-1 record (.720 winning pct.), including three WIAC titles and five NCAA tournament appearances.

"Pat is out of the same mold as our previous two coaches," said UW-Stevens Point Athletic Director Frank O'Brien, noting that both Nelson and Scott Pritchard were former Pointer players and assistant coaches before taking the head coaching position. "He has tremendous enthusiasm and knows the effort it takes to continue the success we've had here in recent years."

"It's always been a dream of mine to have my own program," Bloom said. "I have a tremendous passion for coaching, baseball, and working with people."

Nelson leaves UW-Stevens Point ranked second on the school's all-time wins list with a 121-49-1 record in just four seasons.

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