Pre-Season Rankings

The rankings are out and Wisconsin schools are again well represented!

The states lone Division I program, UWM is receiving votes to be in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Division I Poll. The Panthers will pin their hopes of a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance to senior pitchers Chad Pierce and Jayme Sukowaty. The offense has some holes to fill, but will be able to build around the experience of senior outfielders Doug Dekoning and Sam Sivilotti, as well as junior Paul Hoenecke, a first team All-Horizon League performer from a year ago. (Thanks to UWM pitcher Greg Blohowiak for the heads up.)

In the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Division II Juco Poll, the Madison College Wolfpack is ranked tenth in the Top 20 poll.  The WolfPack sent 10 players on to four year schools from the 2010 roster, including All-American Tyler Jones who will play ball for LSU this spring, but Coach Davenport had a very strong recruiting year, bringing in some of the top talent in the state.

Whitewater and Stevens Point both find themselves in the top 10 of the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's DIII Poll. The Pointers return many key members from their World Series team from a year ago, but the losses of Brad Archambeau and Sam Spurney must be addressed for a repeat of 2010.

Whitewater will be forced to replace front line starter Jason Hooper and closer Ben Versnick, now playing in the Seattle Mariners' organization, as well as everyday players at 2B, SS, 3B, and CF. All-American's Jeff Donovan and Riley Tincher may hold the key to the Warhawks success with their performances on the mound.

Ripon is also listed among the teams receiving votes for the pre-season top 30. The Red Hawks will need to improve on their pitching (5.47 ERA in 2010), in a year that is expected to be dominated by pitching and defense with the new metal bat regulations.