Are the WIAC playoffs within reach for Jerod Haxton and the Pioneers?

Posted February 21, 2008

The Boys of Summer are back. Really. Despite the prolonged winter conditions, the UW-Platteville baseball team is getting ready to play its first games.

The Pioneers are scheduled to play three games in Sauget, Ill., just east of St. Louis March 1-2. UWP plays Millikin and North Central Saturday and North Central Sunday as part of the Webster University Tournament. The games are scheduled to be played at the beautiful home of the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies, weather permitting.

"We're trying to keep the rope on them a little bit and not get too excited until we know for sure there is a great chance we'll play," said second-year Pioneer manager Eric Frese. "The guys are doing a good job about staying on an even keel."

The Pioneers return eight starters and their entire pitching staff from a 15-23-2 season. Nine seniors are ready to lead the club.

"The biggest difference we see from last year to this is the senior class," Frese said. "We had just one senior last year. We had a new system last year, and this season everything is moving a lot better. They have a better understanding of what our philosophy is and how we do things. For me, it's a big advantage knowing the players and what they can do. I've seen them compete for a season. It helps knowing the strengths and weaknesses."

The major strength is the experience. Senior position returners include all-Midwest Region selection Ross Bennett, already the club's career leader in hits (149), home runs (23) and RBIs (112), who moves to the outfield; shortstop Jerod Haxton (.321, 9 stolen bases), utility man Nick Aplin (28 starts, 21 runs scored), outfielder Gabe Neitzel (15 starts, 1.000 fielding percentage), outfielder/DH Mike Kuhn (.300, 6 HRs) and first baseman Mike Flood, who missed all of 2007 but was an all-WIAC pick in 2006 after hitting .301. Senior pitchers are Kyle Brudos (5 starts, 2-4), Mike Davis (10 appearances, one combined shutout) and Jay Lindner (2.40 ERA, 3 saves).

Thirteen juniors and sophomores also return with considerable playing experience, including starters Matt Paulus (.292) at catcher, Jason Jacobson (.271) at third and starting pitchers Joe Lange (2-7, 4.21 ERA), Wil Osmanski (3-2), Kyle Mack (4-1) and Joe Cox. (2-2, 3.43 ERA). (See quickfacts.html)

"Hopefully the maturity level helps us this year, especially in late-game situations," said Frese, who noted the Pioneers lost 14 games decided by three runs or fewer and tied two other games. "We have to play better defense this year. There's no doubt about that. We think our offensive is fine, and we have all our pitching back. If we don't play better defense, we will not improve."

The Pioneers hope to turn around those close losses into wins this year, which would propel them to WIAC playoff contender status.

"We competed pretty well in the conference last year, but the bottom line is, we have to win close games," Frese said. "The ingredients are there to be competitive, but now it comes down to getting it done on the field."