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| Adam Gregory is 11-0 in 15 startes for Concordia Chicago in his career. Photo by Cocrodia Chicago athletics |
by Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
Concordia-Chicago, coming off a Top 10 ranking in 2019, should be the top contender in the Midwest but their coach found a new job at Mary Hardin Baylor and coaching stability is important in college athletics. Their new head coach will be familiar to the team, coming out of the assistant ranks so expect the quality of play to be worthy of title contention.
UW-Whitewater enters 2020 with the top regional expectations. Consistent success has allowed the Warhawks staff to replace the graduating seniors with players with the potential to keep the program humming along. With enough teams playing in the WIAC, a pool A bid will soon be back in play.
Aurora and Benedictine will pile on the wins as they look to challenge Concordia-Chicago's hold on the conference title. St John's (Minn.), St. Olaf, and St. Thomas (Minn.) are the best of the MIAC. A nod to St. Scholastica should be made as the top UMAC team but conference tournament losses has kept them out of the playoff for an unpresented two straight years.
New Faces
Joel Barta, Northland: Barta comes to Northland College from Midland University in Fremont, NE where he spent the 2019 season as the Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for the Vikings. Prior to his appointment in Fremont, Barta was the pioneer of Lumberjack baseball and program's first Head Coach (2000-2006) when Northland re-introduced the program in 2000 and is the only Head Baseball Coach in the programs history to lead the program to a national play-off game. "I just want to start by saying how good it feels to be back at 1411 Ellis. Northland College is a special place and it feels so right to be back," said Barta.
Kolin Conner, Concordia-Chicago: Conner will assume the responsibilities previously held by Mike Stawski, who coached the Cougars the last four seasons. Conner has served as the head assistant coach/hitting coach, worked with the catchers, helped with the baseball team's and the school's strength and conditioning program and lastly was the recruiting coordinator since August 2015. He was honored by Baseball America and the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2018 with the Division III Assistant Coach of the Year award. Now in the head coach's position, he says that "My family and I are as excited as it gets for this opportunity to lead the program. This team's progress is something that has been built for a long time, and I am looking forward to continuing the success that this program exhibits."
Matt O'Brien, Minnesota Morris: O'Brien brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to UMN Morris, as he has coached at all three NCAA levels and the Northwoods Collegiate Summer League. A native of Winona, Minnesota, Coach O'Brien brings 14 years of leadership experience and seven years of collegiate experience to UMN Morris. Most recently, he was the pitching coach at Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), an NCAA DI program. Prior to UMES he was an assistant coach at the University of St. Thomas and spent five seasons at his alma mater, Winona State University. "I want to first thank the UMN Morris community for selecting me to lead the Cougar baseball program," O'Brien said. "I could not be more excited to be a part of a university that offers student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically, athletically, and socially. I look forward to the challenge of competing in the UMAC and pushing our University of Minnesota Morris program to new heights."
Kevin Ritsche, St. Scholastica: Ritsche comes over from Winston-Salem State University (N.C.) where he was the head coach from 2010 up until the end of the last season. The University dropped the baseball program at the conclusion of the 2019 season for financial reasons. Ritsche takes over for Corey Kemp, who announced his resignation at the end of the 2019 season to return to teaching. "I want to thank Steve Lyons and the entire St. Scholastica search committee for their diligence through this transition to find the next head baseball coach of such a storied program," said Ritsche. "Baseball means so much to the CSS community and its alumni and I'm honored to be able to re-unite and lead them on so many different levels."
Games to Watch in 2020
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| Benedictine was set to move up to D-II in 2018, but chose to stay in D-III but had to settle for only an at-large bid opportunity in 2019. Photo by Benedictine athletics |
March 15th: Benedictine faces Webster in a doubleheader on their spring break trip. If the Eagle are going to contend for a NACC title, they will need to prove that they belong in the upper echelon of D-III baseball and nothing says this better than a win or sweep against the best teams.
April 11th: Concordia-Chicago travels for a doubleheader at Aurora. If you cannot make the game, video links are already scheduled for one of the top games in the Midwest this spring.
April 25th: UW-La Crosse makes the trip to UW-Whitewater. Both teams will have six games remaining in the WIAC race but this is the weekend the WIAC title is won and lost.
May 2nd: St. Thomas and St. John's ends their MIAC schedule with a doubleheader. The regular season title cold very well be on the line.
May 9th: A few years ago, little attention was paid to the UMAC tournament but Bethany Lutheran has changed the status quo. A playoff bid will be on the line as St. Scholastica will be trying to avoid a third straight tournament disappointment.
Conference Previews
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: St. John's (32-14) topped the MIAC standings and won the pool A bid to the NCAA playoffs in 2019 and is a favorite in 2020. Nine starters and eleven other lettermen are back with D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Joey Stock (.353, 32 R 39 RBI, 5.51 ERA, 1-1,20K) headlining the returnees. The Johnnies will have to overcome the graduation of much of their starting rotation as pitchers who started 31 games in 2019 picked up diplomas last spring.
St. Olaf (27-15) returns an experienced group of position players with two all-region players, seniors Dylan Blake (.422 avg., R, 44 RBI) and Tommy McDonald (.333, R, 28 RBI, 12 SB) and two more all-conference, juniors Matthew Muller (.386, R, 22 RBI, 10 SB) and TJ Rogers (.342, R, 16 RBI, 26 SB). Seniors Jesse Retzlaff (3.60 ERA, 5-2, 27 K) tops the starting staff and Elliot Syverson (5.09 ERA, 0-0, 5 SV, 19K) is a top reliever.
St. Mary's (Minn.) (20-18) returns a veteran team that has been to the conference tournament three out of the last four years. They have an ace up their sleeve in their quest for a conference championship, the reigning MIAC Pitcher of the Year and 2020 D3baseball.com Preseason All-American James Green (1.85 ERA, 8-1, 63K). Senior Matt Piechowski, (.406, 32 R, 21 RBI, 10 SB) earned All-Region awards in 2019 and will be joined by fellow seniors Justin Weinberg (.362, 20 R, 12 RBI) and Will Matthews (.325, 21 R, 24 RBI) in the everyday lineup.
Gustavus Adolphus (25-13) captured a regular season title in 2019, the first in almost 40 years. Junior shortstop Cole Pengilly (.386, 49R, 24 RBI) is the lone All-MIAC performer back for the Gusties, making a second title less probable, With 26 first year and sophomores on the 2019 roster, Gustavus should have enough returning players that if the regular season championship is not in the cards, a postseason bid is.
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| Bethel won the MIAC in 2018 and is expecting to bounce back from a down year in 2019. Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com |
St. Thomas (20-17, Macalester (19-20), and Bethel (22-16) finished out of the playoffs in 2019. Bethel was rebuilding in 2019 as they started seven freshmen every game, sometimes eight and had a solid year finishing out the MIAC playoffs. With the majority of the Royals returing, the hopes of a bounce back to a MIAC playoff team, a MIAC championship and an NCAA regional berth are alive. These are all possible if a pair of 2018 All-Region players in seniors Joey Fredrickson (282, 16 R, 21 RBI) and Jake Marsh (4.68 ERA, 3-4 3 SV, 27K) rebound from down years in 2019,
Concordia-Moorhead (15-22) could move up in the standings with their pitching duo Ty Syverson (2.02 ERA, 4-2, 41K) and Austin Ver Steeg (1.41 ERA, 3-4, 43K), Hamline (17-22), Carleton (13-21), and Augsburg (9-27) finished 2019 at the bottom of the standings. Augsburg took a preseason trip to Cuba, the first by an MIAC team since St. Thomas took a trip to Cuba in 2000, a preparation for the 2020 season.
Favorite: St. John's
Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference: Eight straight playoff appearance for No. 19 Concordia-Chicago (42-10) automatically puts the Cougars in the national picture but questions on whether they can keep the train rolling has crept in. It is not just the conference competition getting better but in the off season, head coach Mike Stawski took his talents to Texas. Continuity will continue as it was assistant coach Kolin Conner who got the call to lead the Cougars. Connor has pitchers Cole Carman (2.10 ERA, 7-0, 45K) and Adam Gregory (2.04 ERA, 6-0, 43K) to continue the decade-long success of the Cougar's program.
Aurora (35-11) is on a path back to national prominence. Just three wins off a program record, there are big shoes to fills in key leadership that graduated from last season, As the Spartans continue to build on the program's success it helps to have the presence of 2020 D3baseball.com Preseason All-American outfielder AJ Gill (.337, 46 R, 52 RBI). Joining him in the lineup are fellow seniors Colin Rivard (.335, 32 R, 20 RBI, 12 SB) and Paul Dobravec (.318, 29 R 30 RBI). The Spartans' goals are in reach if they don't let the past success get in the way.
Benedictine (23-15), one of three teams to receive votes in the preseason Top 25 and is ready to take a big step forward in 2020. With everyone back on a pitching staff that was one of the top ten teams in ERA in 2019, expectations are high. All NACC pitcher Alex Schram (2.06 ERA 5-2, 50K) is joined by Ryan Miller (4.47 ERA, 3-4, 52K) and Stephen Sewruk (3.40 ERA, 5-0, 41K) on a a rotation that will challenge offenses to score runs. A tough non-conference schedule will condition the team to win the big game so keep an eye on the Eagles in 2020.
Dominican (20-20), Concordia (Wis.) (20-21), and Marian (24-15) made the playoffs only Concordia (Wis.) made the deepest run, ending their upset bid a day before the title tilt. Look for Marian first baseman. catcher Sean Meyer (.434, 34 R, 32 RBI) to make a splash in 2020.
Illinois Tech (18-23), Milwaukee Engineering (13-23), and Lakeland (9-28) finished outside the postseason. MSOE had major injuries last year which derailed their success but those players are going to be coming back in 2020. With a team with depth and experience at almost every position, MSOE will open their new stadium with lots of promise of these
The cellar of the conference in 2019 was occupied by Wisconsin Lutheran (14-25), Edgewood (10-28), and Rockford (10-26). The Rockford Regents will have 10 starters back headlined by much decorated Zack Jones (1.68 ERA, 5-1, 85K). Jones enters 2020 as an Honorable Mention D3baseball.com All-American, and the 2019 NACC Pitcher of the Year among other honors.
Favorite: Concordia-Chicago
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| Bethany Lutheran has won the last two UMAC tournaments. Photo by Bethany Lutheran althetics |
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference: St. Scholastica (24-14) might want to put together a schedule that will put them in Pool C consideration after missing the Regional round each of the last two years. It might not be necessary as a two-year playoff drought should end in 2020 as the Saints will retain their key players from their 2019 squad. A strength for the Saints will be Lane Girtz (.400, R, 21 RBI), Aaron Weber (.373, R 39 RBI, 15 SB) and Mitchell Olson (.247, R, 13 RBI, 8 SB) patrolling the outfield.
Bethany Lutheran (23-18) was a surprise winner in 2018 in the conference tournament (and in the regional as well) and followed it up with a second tournament win in 2019. Of the five position players back, junior Ross Beumer (.410, 45 R, 41 RBI, 12 SB) is the headliner. On the mound, junior Adam Fjersted, (6.49 ERA, 7-4, 2 SV, 62K) is the top pitcher.
Northwestern (Minn.) (26-17) will bring a strong team to the field in 2020 and is expecting to make a run at their first UMAC conference title. The lineup is deep with eight returners and the pitching staff is returning its top three statistical starters from last season. With a team full of juniors such as catcher Carlton Lindow (.327, 19 R, 34 RBI), as well as some talented freshmen, the team is not only built for success for this year but also for next.
UW-Superior (18-22) earned a fourth-place finish in 2019 but runner-up in the tournament. The Yellow Jackets will have 2018 UMAC Player of the Year Cory Albertson (.408,37 R, 42 RBI) for one more year as he will handle catching duties and bat in the middle of the order. If Superior makes the top UMAC top four, they could go on a run and earn their first NCAA playoff bid.
Crown (16-18) will come into 2020 with a competitive team with a quality shortstop in which to build around this and the next year. The Storm shortstop is Seth Betts (.375, 38 R, 21 RBI). Northland (11-23-1) is also coming in to 2020 with confidence. Focusing on execution will allow for the Jacks to compete for a conference tournament title. Jake Schramm (.436, 26 R, 16 RBI) and Adrian Bethel (.359, 24 R, 31 RBI) are two versatile players that will be key in Northland's success.
Minnesota-Morris (8-24), North Central (Minn.) (11-20), and Martin Luther (6-27) round out the UMAC. The Cougars of Minn-Morris will be looking for an upper-class heavy lineup to reverse their fortunes but it is a sophomore who is their best batter in Alex Baumann (.333, 22 R, 25 RBI).
Favorite: St. Scholastica
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| No automatic bid, no problem for NO. 17 UW-Whitewater as they should be first in line when the Pool B bids are handed out. Photo by UW-Whitewater athletics |
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: When UW-Superior left for the UMAC, it left the WIAC one member less than the minimum for an automatic conference NCAA Regional bid. Since then, Finlandia joined as an affiliate for baseball and 2021 will see UW-Eau Claire join the conference, putting it on good standing for an automatic bid. In the meantime, it has not proved to be a problem getting a WIAC team in the playoffs with Pool B bids available. No. 17 UW-Whitewater (35-12), is a favorite to make the NCAA playoffs no matter which type of playoff bid is available. Losing the likes of a Cal Aldridge or Michael Kaska would be a hardship for most programs, but head coach John Vodenlich just reloads. Look for D3baseball.com Preseason All-American outfielder Noah Jensen (.394, 44 R, 36 RBI) to be a big part of the offense and shortstop Nick Santoro (.379, 48 R, 33 RBI) a stalwart on defense. Junior Westin Muir, (2.07 ERA, 8-0, 78K) will anchor the starting rotation with Connor Spear (1.44 ERA, 7-0, 1 SV, 31 K) ready in the bull pen.
UW-La Crosse (28-15), receiving votes in the preseason Top 25, is the top threat to UW-Whitewater in the WIAC title race. Key to their success will be the stellar pitching of senior righthander Zach Pronchinske (1.99 ERA, 5-2, 77K). At the plate the Loggers have a trio of seniors in Brady Stolzman (.404, 38 R, 21 RBI), Carson Youngquist (.385, 23 R, 33 RBI), and Brennan Schmitt (.353, 40 R, 39 RBI) providing the offense.
UW-Platteville (20-21) and UW-Stout (20-17) both made the post season tournament. Stout will bring a lot of leadership back in the lineup, but will have a very young pitching staff. The Blue Devil coaching staff will know quickly if the pitching will hold up as they face three teams in the top 25 in their first seven contests. Keep an eye on first baseman Kasey Bass (.376, 23 R, 31 RBI) who could be an All-Region player again or more.
UW-Oshkosh (18-21) and UW-Stevens Point (14-24) have been part of the big four but both programs have fallen on hard times, giving up their accustom positions in the standings to other UW programs. The Titans of Oshkosh lost five starting position players due to graduation but brings back junior Hunter Staniske (.333, 31 R, 29 RBI) as their key offensive threat. Finlandia (4-32) won just one conference game in their first season in the WIAC and 2020 will not be much different.
Favorite: UW-Whitewater