2006 WIAC Baseball Athletes of the Week

2006 WIAC Baseball
Athletes of the Week

Week of May 1 - 7
Position
Seth Maier, Junior (Park Falls), Shortstop of UW-Stout
In seven games during the week, Maier collected 14 runs batted in, hitting .448 (13-for-29) with 10 runs scored, two doubles, one triple and two home runs, including a grand slam in a 15-9 win over UW-Oshkosh on May 5. In a four-game series against the Titans, Maier batted .500 (9-for-18) with seven runs scored and nine runs batted in. He had four multi-hit games on the week, including three three-hit performances and five multi-RBI contests. UW-Stout went 4-3 on the week, splitting a series with UW-Oshkosh, sweeping Northland and losing to Viterbo.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Steve Ems, Junior, Thirdbase, Waterford (Union)
UW-Oshkosh, Mike Waupoose, Freshman, Designated Hitter, Keshena (Menominee Indian)
UW-Platteville, Jason Watson, Senior, Thirdbase, Boscobel
UW-Stevens Point, Jake Frombach, Senior, Shortstop, Stratford

Pitcher
Bill Bulaga, Freshman (Crystal Lake, Ill./Marian Central), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-Platteville
Bulaga pitched a complete-game 2-1 victory over NCAA Division I Western Illinois on May 3. The Leathernecks had already defeated the likes of Michigan State, Chicago State and Alabama State this season. Bulaga allowed just six hits while striking out four. After the Leathernecks scored a run in the fifth, Bulaga allowed just two hits the rest of the game.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Tony Peterson, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Savage, Minn. (Burnsville)
UW-Oshkosh, Adam Bretl, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Sturgeon Bay (Southern Door)
UW-Stevens Point, Mike Thrun, Sophomore, Lefthanded Pitcher, Franklin
UW-Stout, Dan Olson, Junior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Eau Claire (North)

Week of April 24 - 30
Position
Ryan Byrnes, Junior (Beaver Dam), Outfielder of UW-Stevens Point
Byrnes hit seven-for-14 (.500) with five runs scored, two doubles and four RBI's in four games during the week. His six-for-seven (.857) hitting effort on April 25 against No. 18-ranked Ripon snapped the Red Hawks' 17-game winning streak. Byrnes was a perfect four-for-four in the second game of the doubleheader with one double, three runs scored and two RBIs.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Andy Podmolik, Junior, Outfielder, Phillips
UW-Oshkosh, Josh Shere, Senior, Shortstop, Janesville (Craig)
UW-Platteville, Ross Bennett, Sophomore, Outfielder, Mequon (Homestead)
UW-Stout, Matt Krause, Sophomore, Catcher, Bonduel

Pitcher
Mike Thrun, Sophomore (Franklin), Lefthanded Pitcher of UW-Stevens Point
Thurn turned in a quality performance to help UW-Stevens Point sweep No. 18-ranked Ripon on April 25, snapping the Red Hawks' 17-game winning streak. He pitched a career-high eight innings in his second career start in the opener and took a shutout into the ninth inning before a leadoff homerun. Thrun scattered six hits, allowed one earned run and struck out four batters in the 4-1 victory.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Matt Zurbriggen, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Onalaska
UW-Oshkosh, Jim Ziegler, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Eden (Campbellsport)
UW-Stout, Dan Olson, Junior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Eau Claire (North)

Week of April 17 - 23
Position
Andy Podmolik, Junior (Phillips), Outfielder of UW-La Crosse
Podmolik hit .586 (17-for-29) with 13 runs scored, one double, three homeruns, nine RBIs and 27 total bases in seven games during the week as UW-La Crosse won all seven contests. He was also seven-for-eight in stolen base attempts. Podmolik, who currently has a 12-game hitting streak, had five multi-hit games during the week. He went 11-for-18 (.611) in a four-game series at UW-Superior with eight runs scored, seven RBIs and two home runs.

Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Mickey Fadness, Freshman, Secondbase, Eau Claire (Memorial)
UW-Platteville, Ross Bennett, Sophomore, Outfielder, Mequon (Homestead)
UW-Stevens Point, Ryan Byrnes, Junior, Outfielder, Beaver Dam
UW-Stout, Seth Maier, Junior, Shortstop, Park Falls

Pitcher
Adam Roos, Junior (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Hammarskjold), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-Oshkosh
Roos tossed a complete game nine-inning victory in UW-Oshkosh's 9-4 win over UW-Whitewater on April 19. He scattered eight hits and allowed four runs (all earned) with five strikeouts and one walk. After allowing the first batter of the game to reach base, Roos retired the next 11 in order. He held the Warhawks scoreless until the sixth inning.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Jake Beitlich, Junior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Stoddard (Onalaska Luther)
UW-Stevens Point, Ryan Hopkins, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Libertyville, Ill.
UW-Stout, Scott Decker, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Eau Claire (Memorial)

Week of April 10 - 16
Position
Brad Demmin, Freshman (Oshkosh/North), Firstbase of UW-Oshkosh
Demmin hit .500 (9-for-18) with one home run, five RBIs and three runs scored to help UW-Oshkosh win three out of four games against UW-La Crosse on April 13-14. After going one-for-five in the first game of the series, Demmin hit safely in eight of his next 13 at-bats. He had two hits, including a grand slam, during UW-Oshkosh's 8-6 win over UW-La Crosse on April 14. He also counted four hits, including a double and one RBI during the Titans' 11-9 win over the Eagles on April 14.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Andy Podmolik, Junior, Outfielder, Phillips
UW-Platteville, Ross Bennett, Sophomore, Outfielder, Mequon (Homestead)
UW-Stevens Point, Tim Schlosser, Sophomore, Thirdbase, Oconomowoc
UW-Stout, Matt Krause, Sophomore, Catcher, Bonduel

Pitcher
Scott Decker, Junior (Eau Claire/Memorial), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-Stout
Decker retired 22 consecutive batters and faced only three batters over the minimum in a 9-1 win over UW-Superior on April 13. He gave up one run and two hits in the first inning, then allowed a walk in the second - which UW-Stout converted into a double play - and did not allow another runner until giving up a ninth inning walk. In completing his first game of the season, Decker pitched a two-hitter, allowed one earned run, walked two and struck out eight.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Tony Peterson, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Savage, Minn. (Burnsville)
UW-Oshkosh, Adam Roos, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Thunder Bay, Ontario (Hammarskjold)
UW-Platteville, Kyle Brudos, Sophomore, Righthanded Pitcher, Geneseo, Ill. (J.D. Darnall)
UW-Stevens Point, Josh Perkins, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Two Rivers

Week of April 3 - 9
Position
Jason Fosler, Freshman (DeForest), Thirdbase of UW-Oshkosh
Fosler, who played in only four previous games of the 2006 season, started all five games for UW-Oshkosh during the week and hit .636 (14-for-22) with 11 RBIs and eight runs scored. His performance, which also included two triples and one double, helped the Titans to a 4-1 record. Fosler had three hits in four of UW-Oshkosh's five games and two hits in the other. He went three-for-four with a triple, four RBIs and two runs scored during the Titans' 10-4 victory over UW-Whitewater on April 5. Fosler also went three-for-four with three RBIs and two runs scored during UW-Oshkosh's 16-6 win over Wisconsin Lutheran on April 9.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Andy Podmolik, Junior, Outfielder, Phillips
UW-Oshkosh, Jason Fosler, Freshman, Thirdbase, DeForest
UW-Platteville, Mike Flood, Junior, Catcher, Madison (LaFollette)
UW-Stevens Point, Chuck Brehm, Senior, Outfielder, Spencer
UW-Stout, Matt Krause, Sophomore, Catcher, Bonduel
UW-Whitewater, Jason Rutz, Junior, Shortstop, New Berlin (West)

Pitcher
Joe Bemis, Senior (Stoughton), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-La Crosse
Bemis went 2-0 with a 1.69 earned run average during the week. He pitched 16.0 innings, allowing eight hits, three runs and four walks while striking out 15. Opponents hit .151 against Bemis. He earned a 8-6 win over UW-Platteville on April 5, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing three hits and one run with eight strikeouts. Bemis then pitched a complete game in a 5-2 win over UW-Stevens Point on April 9. He went 9.0 innings, allowing five hits, two runs and four walks with seven strikeouts.

Also nominated:
UW-Oshkosh, Adam Bretl, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Sturgeon Bay (Southern Door)
UW-Platteville, Justin Athey, Sophomore, Righthanded Pitcher, Dodgeville
UW-Stevens Point, Brandon Hemstead, Freshman, Righthanded Pitcher, DeForest
UW-Whitewater, Chris Spangler, Junior, Lefthanded Pitcher, Sauk Prairie

Week of March 27 - April 2
Position
Bryan Schwebke, Junior (Oshkosh/West), Outfielder of UW-Oshkosh
Schwebke hit .467 (7-for-15) with seven runs scored and seven RBIs as UW-Oshkosh won all three games against UW-Superior. The Titans defeated the Yellowjackets 22-0 and 12-2 on April 1 and 10-1 on April 2. Schwebke's seven hits against UW-Superior included two doubles and one triple. He also stole two bases. Schwebke had three hits, four runs scored and three RBIs during the Titan's 22-0 win over the Yellowjackets.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, John Stetzenbach, Senior, Shortstop, Waukesha (Wisconsin Lutheran)
UW-Stevens Point, Adam Evanhoff, Junior, Firstbase, Plover (SPASH)
UW-Stout, Adam Olson, Senior, Centerfield/Designated Hitter, Mosinee

Pitcher
Jordan Zimmermann, Sophomore (Auburndale), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-Stevens Point
Zimmermann helped the Pointers to a 3-0 record in the WIAC this week. In the first game of a doubleheader on April 1 against UW-Platteville, Zimmermann tied a 45-year old school record with 14 strikeouts in a 7-2 victory. He struck out the side in both the first and ninth innings and eight of his 14 strikeouts cam on a called third strike. Zimmermann walked one and allowed just four hits and one earned run, while setting down the last 11 batters in his complete game victory. The Pointers' Bill Kuse also had 14 strikeouts against UW-Milwaukee in 1961.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Matt Zurbriggen, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Onalaska
UW-Oshkosh, Mitch Huffman, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Mequon (Homestead)
UW-Stout, John Englund, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Savage, Minn. (Lakeville)

Week of March 20 - 26
Position
Jake Frombach, Senior (Stratford), Shortstop of UW-Stevens Point
Frombach recorded a team-high 17 hits and 10 runs scored to lead UW-Stevens Point on their spring trip to Port Charlotte, Florida. He had a 3-for-5 performance with two runs scored and one RBI in a 16-11 victory over Hope (Mich.) on March 22. In nine games during the week, Frombach hit .472 (17-for-36) and added one double, four RBIs and two stolen bases. He had at least one hit in every game and recorded six multi-hit games, including a pair of three-hit performances.

Also nominated:
UW-Superior, Jason Polikowsky, Junior, Firstbase, St. Cloud, Minn. (Apollo)

Pitcher
Jeff Zielke, Freshman (Watertown), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-Stevens Point
Zielke got his first collegiate start against Western Connecticut State on March 18 and retired 16 of the last 17 batters and recorded 10 strikeouts in the debut. He also registered his first career save in a 16-11 win over Hope (Mich.) on March 22 by pitching two scoreless innings to end the game. For the week, Zielke was 1-0 with a 1.86 earned run average, giving up seven hits and two earned runs, while striking out 11 in 9.2 innings pitched.

Also nominated:
UW-Superior, Troy Peiffer, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Eau Claire (Memorial)

Week of March 6 - 19
Position
Ross Bennett, Sophomore (Mequon/Homestead), Outfielder of UW-Platteville
Bennett led UW-Platteville to a 6-3 start on the season, including a 4-1 mark against NCAA Division II clubs, by hitting .429 (15-for-35) with seven extra-base hits, a team-high 14 RBIs and 11 runs scored. He slugged three doubles, two triples and two home runs in the nine games. Bennett hit a two-run home run to help the Pioneers beat DII Pittsburg State (Kan.), who was 13-4 on the year, on March 13.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Tony Peterson, Junior, Designated Hitter, Savage, Minn. (Burnsville)
UW-Oshkosh, Bryan Schwebke, Junior, Outfielder, Oshkosh (West)
UW-Stout, Seth Maier, Junior, Thirdbase/Shortstop, Park Falls

Pitcher
Jim Ziegler, Senior (Eden/Campbellsport), Righthanded Pitcher of UW-Oshkosh
Ziegler posted a 2-0 record and a 0.41 earned run average in 22 innings pitched on UW-Oshkosh's spring trip to Florida. He started two contests for the Titans and gained the complete game victory as UW-Oshkosh defeated No. 24-ranked Wheaton (Mass.), 4-3, on March 18. Ziegler scattered five hits and did not allow an earned run in the nine-inning effort. He also pitched three scoreless innings of relief to pick up a victory in UW-Oshkosh's 5-4 10-inning win over Carthage on March 15. Ziegler opened the 2006 season by allowing just one earned run and seven hits in 10 innings of work during UW-Oshkosh's 5-4 11-inning loss to Wittenberg (Ohio) on March 11.

Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Ross Benitz, Freshman, Righthanded Pitcher, Osceola
UW-Platteville, Kyle Mack, Freshman, Righthanded Pitcher, Lodi
UW-Stout, John Englund, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher, Savage, Minn. (Lakeville)

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