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| The UW-Whitewater Warhawks narrowly missed a spot in the 2021 D-III College World Series and is the top ranked team in Region 9 going into the 2022 season. d3photography.com photo by Doug Sasse |
By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
St. Thomas's bid to leave as D-III World Series champions fell just short but there are plenty of talented teams in Region 9. UW-Whitwater is always a strong contender and is the team in Region 9 with the longest active streak of playoff appearances. Only St. Scholastica has had as much success making the playoffs but moving to the MIAC from the UMAC will impact their ability to put together the same streak they had in the weaker UMAC.
Aside from the dominance of UW-Whitewater in the region, there are other teams that are looking to join the Warhawks as the top regional teams. Northwestern (Minn.) has shown that they are the heir apparent to the UMAC Crown as has Chicago in the Midwest. The difference is that Northwestern has had considerable success at the regional level and the Maroons have not. Chicago also has to contend with a surging Beloit as it could be a two teams race like 2021. It is a wide open race in the MIAC where saints reign supreme and in the American River Conference. Coe has shown some staying power at the top and have a team that can continue their past success but a number of teams like Luther and Loras want to knock off the Kohawks.
New Faces
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| Kevin Tyrrell was elevated to head coach following the departure of John Fitzgerald. Midwest Athletics Conference photo |
Central: After a highly successful 16-year run at Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Casey Klunder stands ready to infuse new energy into the Central College program as head coach. Klunder gained collegiate experience as a volunteer assistant coach at Luther from 2012-14 and at Wartburg this past season as well as 2007-08. "I'm really excited about the impact I can make coaching at the college level," Klunder said. "The relationships can be so much more meaningful at that level. I'm really excited to dive into that and get to know the current players and the recruits. That starts today."
Chicago: Kevin Tyrrell was appointed the head coach, after John Fitzgerald headed to Lewis University. Tyrrell spent the past three seasons serving as an assistant baseball coach for UChicago (2019-21). Prior to his arrival in Hyde Park, Tyrrell was Head Coach at the College of DuPage for seven seasons. The Chaparrals achieved top-10 rankings in the NJCAA national poll during each of his final four years at DuPage (2015-18). "I am overwhelmingly grateful to Angie Torain and the hiring committee for giving me this opportunity," Tyrrell said. "It has been such an incredible experience the last three years working under Coach John Fitzgerald and taking over a program that has seen only positive momentum under his leadership."
St. Scholastica: Brandon Swartz was tabbed as the Interim Head Coach for St. Scholastica after Kevin Ritsche resigned last August. Swartz was a full-time assistant for the baseball program the past six seasons and has been part of the coaching staff for nine seasons. The Hermantown native played for the Saints from 2004-07 where he was named the team's rookie of the year after his first season. He appeared in 159 games over his four-year career and was a two-time American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Midwest Region selection. Swartz was inducted into the CSS Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Key Games
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| D3baseball.com Preseason All-American second baseman Matt O’Leary was a big reason for Beloit's turn around in 2021. Beloit athletics photo |
UW-Whitewater at Trinity (Texas): Four games over three days in early March (March 3-5) will give us a peek how good the UW-Whitewater team is. Both teams will have new faces in key spots but Trinity will have the upper hand being at home and with a handful of games against Top 25 competition before the series while the Warhawks will be opening their season.
Beloit at Chicago: Beloit and Chicago had the best records in the Midwest last season and both will have strong squads in 2022. This doubleheader on March 29 will show who will have the upper hand in the Midwest North division.
St. Mary's (Minn.) at St. Scholastica: The Saint open their first MIAC season at home against the Cardinals on April 2nd. Both teams will have most of their non-conference schedule behind them and with two teams expected to do well in the standings, it will be important for both teams to get a good start.
Luther at Coe: The last two champions of the ARC meet for a doubleheader on April 19th. This finishes up a three game series in which a single game was played a week before at Luther. With the conference season winding down, this series could determine the top seed in the ARC tournament in May.
Conference Previews
American Rivers Conference: Since Wartburg's last playoff bid in 2017, no ARC team has been able to put together a string of playoff appearances. The most consistent team in the last five years has been Coe (36-7). In 2022 it will be the TJ show again as TJ Deardorff (9-1, 2 saves, 1.88 ERA, 72K) and TJ Johnson (10-2, 2.28 ERA, 60K), both D3baseball.com Preseason All-Americans, will headline the pitching staff. With Matthew Mittelmark (7-1, 3.32 ERA, 34K) as the third starter, this is enough to see Coe setting the standard in the ARC this year. TJ Johnson (.395, 10 HR, 56 RBI, 12 SB) will be swinging a big bat and will need to with just a third of the everyday starters back in 2022. Expect the pitching to keep the Kohawks in the early games with the offense coming around about time to play the conference season.
Luther (32-16) will bring more back from their NCAA playoff squad then Coe and team expectations are high. Pitching will be key for the Norse with pitchers who accounted for 358 of the 382 innings in 2021 back this year. Tyler Boesel (6-3, 3.45 ERA, 52K) and Nick Dufoe (7-2, 4.24 ERA, 43K) will be at the top of the rotation with the services of Collin Chalmers (3-2, 5 saves, 1.67 ERA, 33K) available in the bullpen. Luke Plunkett (.394, 14 2B, 34 RBI) and Charlie Rubendall (.321, 21 RBI, 8 SB) are returning All-ARC players in the everyday line up. Success last year is no guarantee of success this year but the pitching and defense should keep the Norse at the top of the standings as a deep and speedy offence finds their legs.
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| Utility player T.J. Johnson is one half of Coe's T.J. duo. T.J Deardorff (not pictured) and Johnson were both named to the 2022 D3baseball.com Preseason All-American team. Coe athletics photo |
Loras (25-18) and Buena Vista (21-23) took a back seat to the two top teams but 2022 starts every one even. Buena Vista has the same returning strength as many of the good teams in the ARC as their pitching returns more intact than the offense. BVU will be counting on a talented recruiting class to fill some holes and provide the spark for their first conference title since 2014. The Mathewson brothers, Caden Mathewson (.336, 23 RBI) and Jordan Mathewson (.354, 28 RBI), are part of a junior heavy lineup. If BVU cannot break out in 2022, they are certainly set for 2023. For Loras, having the ARC Player of the Year, shortstop Luke Fennelly (.352, 11 HR, 39 RBI, 14 SB) back will keep the Duhawk fans hopeful for a better finish in 2022.
Dubuque (18-24) last made the playoffs in 2018 and for Simpson (18-23) it was back in 2006 when they were conference champs. Both teams have a few more teams to leap frog to the top if they will bring conference hardware back to their school trophy case. For the Storm, Brady Held (.333, 24 RBI, 6-3, 1 save, 1.53 ERA, 56K) will be key to their success as they bring a lineup that brings senior experience in games. A strong finish last year has a team that expects to compete from day one with the ability to potentially make waves at near the top.
A few years back, this was Wartburg's conference to win. Wartburg (14-28) have certainly fallen on hard times sitting at the cellar of the conference with Central (14-27) and Nebraska Wesleyan (12-28). The Dutch will have seven starters on offense and their pitching staff back in 2022. While a top finish might not be in the cards, they are looking to improve on their 8th place finish in 2021. Top returning players are Riley Ward, Nebraska Weslayan (.376, 14 RBI) and Ben DeKruyf, Wartburg (.348, 28 RBI).
FAVORITE: Coe
Midwest Conference: Beloit (24-6) was one of the surprises in 2021. Their breakout year will continue into this year with plenty of hitters and pitchers back for one more try. The top four hitters all return in outfielders Matt Crandall (.362, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 10 SB) and Brett Kiger (.383, 8 HR, 47 RBI) and infielders Garrison Ferone (.377, 41 Runs, 30 RBI) and Matt O’Leary (.420, 8 HR, 49 RBI). The pitchers who made the majority of starts are also back with Tommy Murray (2-1, 5.59 ERA, 21K) starting the most games in 2021. With just eight seniors on the team, the outlook for 2023 and beyond is just as rosy.
Three times the charm. Chicago (19-10) has been our conference pick for their third full year in the Midwest. The Maroons have not disappointed but come conference time, they have not broken through. Like 2021, they will have a dog fight with Beloit but we see them with another chance for a playoff bid. The battery of D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Drew Bryan (6-0, 2 saves, 0.00 ERA, 46K) and Brett Riegler (.421, 24 RBI) is a reason to expect big things in 2022. Both are the reigning Pitcher and Player of the Year honors but the there is more for new head coach Kevin Tyrrell. Truman Pierson (.349, 16 RBI, 9 SB) will be swinging a bat and Micahel Allegri (3-1, 1.77 ERA, 30K) will be back starting on the mound.
Illinois College (21-19) returns 8 of 9 starters from last year's Regional team with nobody more important than Bailey Reed (.369, 12 HR, 54 RBI). But there is more with senior James Marcinkowski (.262, 10 HR, 38 RBI) and a trio of juniors and the 2021 Newcomer of the Year, Peyton Phillis (.316, 18 RBI). All pitchers last year had an ERA over 4.00 and head coach Jacob Waddle is looking to the incoming recruits to add depth and quality to the pitching staff.
Grinnell (16-8) matched Illinois College but the Blue Boys held the tie breaker and defeated Beloit in a best of three series to represent the Midwest Conference in the NCAA playoffs. Grinnell will take a ten game win streak into 2022 and have what they need to top the Midwest South. With many offensive pieces back, Sean Richardson (.376, 15 RBI, 14 SB) is the sole All-Midwest performer back in the fold. On the pitching side, Josh Witte (3-0, 3.96 ERA, 39K) is the top pitcher.
Monmouth (17-11), Lawrence (15-19), Cornell (14-24), Ripon (8-29) and Knox (4-30) all fell well off the pace in 2021. Monmouth will be young on the offensive side but as the season progresses, their talent will shine as the team gains experience. The pitching staff with Addison Fletcher (6-0, 3.56 ERA, 51K) and Nathan Willig (4-1, 4.71 ERA, 35K) will be a strength. Keep an eye on Lawrence's Quinn Berglin (.344, 8 HR, 34 RBI) who earned Newcomer of the Year honors in the North Division.
FAVORITE: Beloit
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| Bryce Novak an outfielder and pitcher for Gustavus Adolphus was named the 2021 MIAC Player of the Year and a 2021 D3baseball.com Third Team All-American. Gustavus Adolphus athletics photo |
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: One of the most stable conference lineups will see major changes in 2022. Gone to D-I is St. Thomas (Minn.) but the number of teams are the same as St. Scholastica plays their first season in the MIAC. The absence of the Tommies means that the one team that seems to be always at the top of the standings is gone. This leaves a wide open race for the king of the MIAC. Last year it was quite the year for Gustavus Adolphus (27-7). A loss in the semifinals of the MIAC tournament left they looking for an at-large bid that never came their way. With 19 new players to their squad and nearly everyone back this will be an exciting year for the Gusties. Three returning players flirted with a .400 batting average which includes the 2021 MIAC Player of the Year and D3baseball.com Preseason All-American, Bryce Novak (.470, 21 RBI, 13 SB). Also in the lineup are power at first base, Jack Hanson (.409, 7 HR, 33 RBI), and a skilled catcher in Ethan Mocchi (.397, 22 RBI). Christian Johnson (2-0, 0.66 ERA, 18K), back from an injury that limited his innings and Novak (3-1, 2.16 ERA, 21K) will form the core of the starting staff with All-MIAC reliever Damon Rademacher Gustavus (7-0, 3 saves, 1.74 ERA, 40K)) primed for another run at an MIAC title
The last season in the UMAC for St. Scholastica (20-9) was a bit of a bust. No conference title for the first time in years and no playoff bid since their last appearance in 2017. They will have plenty new in 2022 with a new conference and a new head coach. Kevin Ritsche moved on after two Covid years with Ross Trachtenberg taking the reins for this season. Six All-UMAC first team players are back in 2022 with Jake Schelonka (.345, 40 RBI, 16 SB) the top hitter and Grant Taival (5-3, 4.54 ERA, 28K) the best pitcher. After dominating the UMAC for the past 25 years, the Saints look to do the same in the MIAC but time will tell is they can be the next St. Thomas.
St. John's (Minn.) (29-12), a favorite in 2021, failed to make the 30 win mark as they had in three of the last four full seasons. They will cetainly have a shot at it in 2022 with an offense that returns intact, headlined by catcher Ethan Roe (.341, 13 HR, 34 RBI) and D3baseball.com Preseason All-American designated hitter Max Nyrop (.395, 10 HR, 51 RBI). On the mound, Kody Dalen (7-0, 1 save, 3.43 ERA, 38K) will get plenty of chances to extend his unbeaten streak. An experienced team will gain depth with the new crop of freshmen and three transfers from St. Thomas (OF Jordan Amundson, RHP Isaac Herrill, and RHP Quinn Krueger). Unlike the other top teams heading into the 2022 season, St. Mary's (Minn.) (30-16) will have the most holes to fill with eight prominent players finishing their Cardinal careers. One bright spot is the return of All-MIAC pitcher Luke Gilbertson (7-0, 3.38 ERA, 31K).
Bethel (24-17), St. Olaf (13-9), and Concordia-Moorhead (17-19) all finished in the middle of the standings and all are eyeing to make a move towards the top. The team from Arden Fields, Minn will have an extremely experienced team returning with a core that has been playing regularly since they were freshman in 2019. Marcus Krupke (.289, 16 RBI, 9-2, 3.98 ERA, 57K) is part of this class and is not only the #1 pitcher for Bethel but is also a top defensive shortstop. St. Olaf will start 2022 with all their pitching back for another go but just half the offensive lineup. With just 25 games played in the last two seasons, there are a lot of unknowns and plenty of competition for the open starting spots. A spot already filled is that of shortstop with fifth year senior Matthew Muller (.350, 13 RBI) counted on for his leadership abilities.
Macalester (8-18), Hamline (14-26), Augsburg (8-26), and Carleton (7-23) all finished at the end of the conference standings last year. Hamline will have most of their starters back with a better finish than last years ninth place finish expected this season. First baseman Mac Enlow (.280, 5 HR, 26 RBI) earned All-MIAC honors in his first year with the Hamline squad and expect improvement in his sophomore year. If a few stars emerge from the new recruits, look for movement up the standings for the Pipers.
FAVORITE: Gustavus-Aldophus
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| Northwestern (Minn.) athletics photo |
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference: There is a new king in the UMAC but they have emerged sooner than expected. We are accustom to seeing St. Scholastica at the top of the standings and in their final year in the UMAC, we expected that same. Northwestern (35-12) took top honors both in the regular season and the conference tournament. Northwestern head coach Dave Heib had quite the recruiting year in 2019, netting a pair of pitchers that have upset the regular order in the UMAC. Part of this class are Owen Boerema (7-2, 6 CG, 2.08 ERA, 92K) and Bryce Crabb (9-3, 6 CG, 1.52 ERA, 70K). Northwestern's third All UMAC first team performer, outfielder Keegan Vercoe (.325, 13 HR, 44 RBI, 19 SB), is back to lead the offense along with Crabb (.373, 23 RBI, 21 SB). With St. Scholastica in the MIAC, the UMAC belongs to the Eagles.
Bethany Lutheran (16-15) has found themselves playing second fiddle to St. Scholastica for the last few years and now have been passed by Northwestern. The Vikings finished the regular season on an eight game win streak after dropping two to Northwestern and then went 1-2 in the UMAC tournament with both losses to St. Scholastica. Back for the Vikings are Hunter Pearce (.329, 17 RBI, 10 SB) and Ross Beumer (.352, 29 RBI, 16 SB) but more will be needed to offset the Northwestern Eagles. Expect another pass into the UMAC tourney but no titles.
Crown (19-22) had never topped UW-Superior (16-21) in the UMAC standings until 2021. Credit UMAC Player of the Year Seth Betts (.379, 9 HR, 37 RBI, 32 SB) for being part of the surge in wins for Crown. Betts is not the only member of the Storm staying after graduation as a graduate student. Pitcher Eric Newman (5-1, 2.56 ERA, 82K) is also taking advantage of an extra year of eligibility. Good news is that there is plenty of star power in the sophomore ranks with Aaron Clogston (.308, 10 RBI) and UMAC Rookie of the Year Mason Brock (.291, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 16 SB). Expect Crown to eye a second plce finish and possible the top spot if Northwestern falters.
At the back end of the conference standings were Minnesota-Morris (7-23), North Central (Minn.) (7-16), Northland (6-25), and Martin Luther (0-21). Minn-Morris head coach Matt O'Brien is looking forward to seeing what his team can do in 2022. With the returners and the incoming players, O'Brien has his deepest roster yet. Keep an eye on Alex Baumann (.320, 21 RBI, 10 SB), the Cougars top player
FAVORITE: Northwestern (Minn.)
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: No. 6 UW-Whitewater (40-7) narrowly missed out on a spot in the D-III World Series and has been a consistent presence at the top of the WIAC as the rest of the conference searched for the winning formula. The Warhawks saw a lot of skill graduate but depth has always been a quality of a John Vodenlich team. Look for future pitching stars to get their chance along side Donovan Brandl (7-1, 1 save, 2.32 ERA, 51K) and D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Westin Muir (9-1, 1.23 ERA, 90K). Sam Vomhof (.400, 32 RBI, 9 SB) and Matt Korman (.379, 8 HR, 68 RBI) highlights an offense that batted .361 last year
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| Jonathon Kelso led all WIAC hitters with a .442 batting average. The 2021 WIAC Player of the Year also stole a league high 27 bases. UW-Platteville athletics photo |
UW-Stevens Point (32-11) was back in 2021. Former head coach Pat Bloom left after the 2015 season and since then the Pointers were floundering until they hired Nat Richter. Richter guided his team to a regular season title but expectations are higher than that at Point. For now it is a two man race for the top spot with Stevens Point and Whitewater battling it out for the conference spoils. The Pointers welcome back a couple of All-WIAC peformers in infielder Bradley Comer (.372, 11 HR, 46 RBI) and D3baseball.com Preseason All-American reliever Sidney Ferry (3-0, 1.53 ERA, 26K). Richter will have his hands full crafting a prennial winner but a couple years of good recuriting should start to pan out in a permanent spot at the head of the WIAC standings.
UW-Stout (23-19) is starting to put themselves in the conversation about the best of the WIAC along with UW-La Crosse (30-13) and UW-Oshkosh (20-19). Desp[ite the loss of three All-Region players, UW-Stout is ready to make another run in 2022. Senior shortstop Charlie Szykowny (.372, 27 RBI, 11 SB) is back and is a plus defender. Expect to see Szykowny on the mound as well as he is joining the pitching staff this year. Keep your eyes on UW-Lacrosse's Mac Born (.369. 5 HR, 50 RBI), the 2021 WIAC Newcomer of the Year.
UW-Platteville (15-26), UW-Eau Claire (5-33), and Finlandia (0-37) finished out of the money in 2021. Without the WIAC Player of the Year and D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Jonathan Kelso (.442, 55 Runs, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 27 SB), Platteville's record would have been closer to that of the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds who were playing their first season in the WIAC. Be prepared to see the bottom of the WIAC standings repeat for another year.
FAVORITE: UW-Whitewater