Baseball

Category: Baseball

Middlebury pulls out wild 15-13 win over Lawrence

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Middlebury College baseball team scored three times in the top of the eighth to take command and then held on for a 15-13 nonconference win over Lawrence University on Tuesday.

The Panthers led 12-11 heading to the eighth when they scored three times to push the lead to four runs. Lawrence (2-5) cut the margin to 15-13 with two runs in the bottom half of the inning but could get no closer.

Aaron Benz continued his hot hitting with two more hits, including a triple, and he also drove in three runs for the Vikings. Jake Gordon had a team-best three hits, including a double, and Gabe Warshaw, Luke Zablocki and Brandon Vamarasi all had two hits for Lawrence.

Philip Clark took the loss despite allowing only two earned runs over six innings.

The Vikings, who made eight errors, scored four times in the bottom of the first and built a 7-5 lead through three innings. Middlebury struck for six runs in the fourth to go up 11-6. Lawrence added a single run in the bottom half of the fourth, two more in the fifth and one more in the sixth to cut the lead to 12-11.

Vikings edge Luther in 10 innings

TUCSON, Ariz. — Dan Taylor singled and scored in the 10th inning to lift the Lawrence University baseball team to a 14-13 nonconference victory over Luther College on Monday at the Kino Sports Complex.

Taylor led off the top of the 10th with a single and moved to second on a bunt. Jake Gordon followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Joel Birch then grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Taylor scored on the play to give the Vikings the 14-13 edge.

Atley Gay set down the Norse in order in the bottom half of the inning to pick up the save. Drew Doares went 2.1 innings of relief to earn the victory.

Taylor, Aaron Benz and Sam Kossow all collected three hits for the Vikings (2-4), and Benz and Kossow both drove in a pair of runs. Luke Zablocki, Gordon, Birch and Gabe Warshaw all had two hits for Lawrence, and Zablocki drove in three runs.

Lawrence, which collected 19 hits, led 7-4 after two innings after scoring three times in the first and four times in the second. Kossow and Benz both had run-scoring singles in the first, and Kossow had an RBI double in the second with Benz collecting another run-scoring single.

Luther battled back to take a 9-8 lead after six innings, but Lawrence tied it on Gordon’s sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh.

The Vikings then scored four times in the eighth to grab  13-9 lead. Zablocki had a two-run single to put the Vikings up 11-9. Taylor singled to score Zablocki, and Warshaw added a sacrifice fly for a four-run lead.

The lead didn’t last as Luther (4-3) scored four times in the bottom half of the inning to tie it and set up the dramatic extra-inning victory by the Vikings.

Carleton downs Lawrence 12-7

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Carleton College baseball team jumped on Lawrence University early and went on to a 12-7 nonconference win over the Vikings on Sunday.

Carleton scored four times in the first and added two more in the second to lead 6-1 after two innings. The Vikings rallied, but the Knights scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory.

Lawrence (1-4) had a 13-12 edge in hits and were led by outfielder Aaron Benz, who has started the season red-hot. Benz went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and drove in a run.

Sam Kossow and Brandon Vamarasi both had a pair of hits for the Vikings as nine Lawrence players collected at least one hit.

Lawrence scored three times in the third to trim Carleton’s lead to 6-4 as Kossow had a two-run single and Benz picked up a run-scoring double.

Carleton scored once in the fifth and twice in the sixth to push the lead back to 9-4. The Vikings got two runs back in the top of the eighth on Vamarasi’s RBI single and Brandon Klar’s sacrifice fly. Carleton then scored three times in the bottom half of the inning to pull away again.

Thaddaeus Gregory pitched five innings to pick up the victory for the Knights. Kelton Jenkins went 4.1 innings and took the loss for Lawrence.

Vikings pick up split with Caltech

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Lawrence University baseball team earned its first win of the season on Saturday as it split a nonconference doubleheader with Caltech.

The Vikings won the opener 9-8 and dropped the nightcap 15-1.

In the opener, Gabe Warshaw, Aaron Benz, Joel Birch, Luke Zablocki and Brandon Vamarasi all had two hits for the Vikings (1-3), who pounded out 13 hits. Zablocki homered and drove in a pair of  runs.

Freshman Joe Krivit pitched seven innings to pick up his first collegiate victory. He allowed 10 hits, struck out one and walked six.

Lawrence trailed 3-2 when the Vikings struck for five runs in the top of the third. Zablocki blasted a two-run homer to put Lawrence up 4-3, and the Vikings added three more runs on a sacrifice fly, a ground out and Birch’s run-scoring single for a 7-3 lead.

Lawrence went up 9-4 with a pair of runs in the seventh on Vamarasi’s run-scoring double Craig Batchelor’s RBI single.

Caltech picked up a run in the bottom half of the inning and added three more in the eighth to cut the lead to 9-8. Davis Ogilvie worked around a walk in the ninth to secure the victory for Lawrence.

In the nightcap, Daniel Chou scattered eight hits over seven innings to lead the Beavers to the victory.

Benz went 3-for-3 for Lawrence and scored the Vikings’ only run with a solo homer. Tim Menninger went 4-for-5 and drove in four runs for Caltech.

Gene Shipanik went 3.2 innings and took the loss.

Hamline sweeps season-opening doubleheader from Lawrence

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Hamline University baseball team swept a nonconference doubleheader from Lawrence University on Friday by the scores of 16-9 and 27-3.

It was the season opener for Lawrence (0-2), which saw Hamline pull away late in both games.

In the opener, Lawrence led 5-2 after the top of the fifth, but the Pipers scored five times in the bottom of the fifth and then added four runs in the seventh and five in the eighth.

Joel Birch went 4-for-5 and Jake Gordon was 3-for-5 to pace the Vikings. Aaron Benz, Sam Kossow and Dan Taylor all had two hits for Lawrence. Benz had a homer and a double and drove in four runs, and Kossow drove in three runs.

 Atley Gay pitched the first five innings and took the loss.

In the nightcap, Lawrence scored three times in the bottom of the third and trailed 5-3. Hamline then scored five times in the fourth and added seven more in the fifth to seal the win.

Benz, Kossow and Brandon Klar add had two hits for the Vikings. Drew Doares pitched the first three innings and took the loss.

Inside LU Athletics: Vikings bring experience, versatility to the diamond

Lawrence University baseball coach Jason Anderson is working on the concept that less is more.

The Vikings lost some key players to graduation, and the size of the squad has shrunk this season. That being said, this Lawrence squad is deeper and more versatile than any team Anderson has had.

“We have fewer guys but more flexibility. I strongly believe that we are deeper. We can put a lot of lineups out there and not lose anything,” said Anderson, who enters his sixth season at Lawrence.

“It’s a whole new personality because the senior group that graduated, this had been their team since they were freshmen. We’re developing a new personality, and a new way to do things. I’m excited to see us play and see what we can do. Hopefully we can play at a high level and get some wins out of it.”

Lawrence, which went 11-24 last season, will see improvement this spring with the help of an experienced pitching staff. The Vikings return three starters with a lot of innings under their belts in juniors Drew Doares, Atley Gay and Kelton Jenkins. Doares had just one win but posted a respectable 3.93 earned run average and struck out a team-high 33 in 55 innings.

The Vikings also will get more this season from junior Philip Clark, senior John Doran and third baseman Davis Ogilvie. Gene Shipanik, who led the team with a 2.38 ERA last season, will be the first left-hander out of the bullpen for the Vikings.

“Over the last two years, they’ve gotten a lot of experience in terms of knowing what does work and what doesn’t work,” Anderson said. “We were OK last year, but confidence-wise,we’re a little bit better this year and ready to take some steps forward.”

Lawrence returns four position starters on the infield and two more in the outfield.

Shortstop Gabe Henriques was lost to graduation, but the Vikings return Ogilvie at third, Sam Kossow at first, Marc Linger behind the plate and the combination of Joel Birch and Gabe Warshaw at second. Both Warshaw (.316) and Ogilvie (.312) hit better than .300 last season, and Ogilvie belted a team-best three homers in 2013.

“In the infield we are as talented as we’ve ever been,” Anderson said.

The Vikings also have options on the infield with some newcomers. When Ogilvie is pitching, freshmen Brandon Klar or Brandon Vamarasi could slide over to the hot corner, and Vamarasi also should see action behind the plate. The other newcomer is junior Luke Zablocki at first. Zablocki is a starting offensive lineman for the Lawrence football team, but swings a big bat and could see time at first or as the designated hitter.

“(Zablocki) swings it really, really well,” Anderson said. “I expect him to see some innings at first base, but he will be a formidable DH for us.”

Lawrence returns senior Aaron Benz in right and junior Jake Gordon in center. Benz hit .294 last season and drove in a team-high 24 runs. Gordon is a superb defender in center and a threat on the bases. Junior Dan Taylor, who saw action both pitching and in the outfield, could take over for Davide Harris in left. Taylor hit .348 and had three doubles in just 23 at-bats in 2013.

Sophomore Max Markoff and freshman Craig Batchelor are the likely candidates to back up across the outfield.

“I’m happy with the experience we have coming back,” Anderson said. “I do believe our freshmen will capably fill the spots of the guys that graduated.”

Lawrence opens its season on March 21 in Tucson, Ariz., against Hamline University, and the Vikings are scheduled to begin play at home on April 5.

“Everyone has worked really hard in the off-season. This is probably the best group I’ve had in terms of work ethic,” Anderson said. “I think we have a chance to be pretty good, but you don’t know until you play.”

NCAA Division III Baseball Championship to stay in Appleton through 2018

APPLETON, Wis. — The NCAA Division III Baseball Championship is staying put.

The NCAA announced Wednesday afternoon on NCAA.com that the 2015 through 2018 Division III Baseball Championship would return to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Lawrence University and UW-Oshkosh will serve as co-hosts for the event.

Lawrence is already slated to host the 2014 Division III Baseball Championship from May 23-27. The Division III Baseball Championship has been played at Fox Cities Stadium every year since 2000, and Appleton is the longest-serving host site in the history of the championship. When this current run ends in 2018, Appleton will have hosted the championship for 19 consecutive years.

“We are excited to continue to be a co-host for the Division III Baseball Championship,” said Lawrence Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski. “With the help of the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau and UW-Oshkosh, we plan to continue to put on a great event for the scholar-athletes and the Appleton community.”

Appleton beat out Cleveland, Ohio, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which were the other finalists for 2015-18. Case Western Reserve University was attempting to bring the Division III Baseball Championship to Classic Park, and the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference planned to host at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“Hosting this prestigious championship is an honor for our community, and I am excited to see this Memorial Day weekend tradition carry on,” said Matt Ten Haken, Sports Sales Manager for the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The Fox Cities has the reputation as a baseball hotbed and that will continue on as Fox Cities Stadium will now host the WIAA State Spring and NCAA Division III Baseball Championships for the long-term future. Hundreds of college and high school teams will start their season every spring with aspirations to come to Appleton, Wisconsin.”

The NCAA Division III Baseball Championship has been played at five sites since its inception in 1976. Don Schaly Stadium in Marietta, Ohio hosted the event from 1976 through 1987. The event then moved to Bristol, Conn., for two years before going to Battle Creek, Mich., from 1990 through 1994. Salem, Va., then hosted from 1995 through 1999.

The Division III Baseball Championship has received tremendous support since moving to Appleton in 2000. The single-game attendance record of 3,868 fans was set in 2003, and the overall championship attendance record of 29,543 was set that year. The 2013 championship drew 28,202 fans, the second-highest total in the 14 years it has been at Fox Cities Stadium.

“A terrific partnership between Lawrence University, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, and hundreds of local volunteers has made this event renown throughout the country,” said Ten Haken, who serves as chairman of the championship’s local organizing committee. “As I talk with my colleagues from coast to coast, they know that the Fox Cities is synonymous with Division III baseball. This is a highly coveted event, as shown by the number of applications the NCAA received to host it, but our community has done such a great job, making it a unique, first-class event that it’s hard to imagine it ever leaving here.”

The eight-team, double-elimination tournament begins the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and runs five days with Tuesday serving as the date for the championship game. Linfield College won its first NCAA Division III Baseball Championship in 2013 with a 4-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine in the title game.

Inside LU Athletics: Five to be inducted into Lawrence Hall of Fame

APPLETON, Wis. — Five former Lawrence University athletic stars are set to be inducted into the school’s Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame next month.

Hans Hartwig ’35, John Bill ’79, Dan Dreyfus ’87, Maggie Phillips Reeve ’96 and Mark Smrecek ’00 will be inducted in a ceremony at the Warch Campus Center on Oct. 4 and be honored at halftime of the Hall of Fame football game vs. Illinois College the following afternoon.

Hans Hartwig ’35

In the era of ironman football, Hans Hartwig was one of the finest players of the 1930s for Lawrence University.

A native of Wauwatosa, Wis., Hartwig starred in the offensive backfield and linebacker during his career for Vikings. He played three seasons of football (freshmen couldn’t play on the varsity then) for head coach Percy O. Clapp.

Playing in the single-wing offense, Hartwig started at three positions in the backfield during his career. He starred at halfback, fullback and quarterback as a multiple threat with his ability to both run and throw the football.

Hartwig earned all-conference honors as both a junior and senior. In the days before the Midwest Conference selected a team, Hartwig was named to the All-Big Three team in 1933 and was selected for the All-Big Four team in 1934.

Led by Hartwig and fellow Lawrence Hall of Famer George Walter ’36, Lawrence won the mythical Wisconsin collegiate championship by defeating Carroll, Ripon and Beloit in 1934.

A proverbial big man on campus, Hartwig also was a campus champion in both boxing and wrestling.

Hartwig, who earned a degree in chemistry, remained in the Fox Valley after his graduation from Lawrence. He went on to found Crystal Print, Inc., which continues to operate in nearby Little Chute. Hartwig and his wife, Joan, had two children, Chris and Tina. Hartwig passed away in May 1976, and his wife died in 1995.

John Bill ’79

John Bill was the ace of the pitching staff of the best baseball teams in Lawrence University history.

Led by Bill’s powerful right arm, the Vikings won two Midwest Conference championships and made the only two NCAA Division III regional appearances in Lawrence baseball history.

A native of Kenosha, Wis., Bill put together a career record of 23-12, and he continues to be Lawrence’s career wins leader more than 30 years after his graduation. A two-time All-Midwest Conference selection, Bill was honored by the league in 1978 and 1979.

Bill threw a school-record 235.2 innings and set the school career record with 151 strikeouts. He also tossed a school-record 25 complete games, which included two shutouts. Bill also threw a school-record six three-hit games and compiled a 4.32 earned run average.

Bill went 21-8 over his final three seasons after going 4-4 as a freshman. He holds the school season record for wins with his 8-2 record in 1978 and his 7-3 mark in 1979 ranks second. He threw a school-record eight complete games in 1979 on his way to a school-record 70.1 innings pitched.

A two-year team captain, Bill also played in the outfield and served as the team’s designated hitter when he wasn’t on the mound. He enjoyed his best season at the plate in 1978 when he led the team with a .350 batting average.

Bill, who earned a degree in economics at Lawrence, was a first-team Academic All-American in 1979. Bill also played one season of football in 1975 and was the team’s starting punter on a conference championship squad.

Bill and his wife, Teri, own Manchester Investments and live in Greendale, Wis. The Bills have two adult children, Jacob and Sara.

Dan Dreyfus ’87

Dan Dreyfus made stopping the opposition an art form and became the most prolific goalkeeper in Lawrence University history.

Dreyfus holds virtually every Lawrence goalkeeping record and was a key player when the Vikings won the 1985 Midwest Conference championship.

A native of Bogota, Colombia, Dreyfus played his high school soccer in Tallahassee, Fla. Dreyfus earned all-conference honors in 1985 as Lawrence defeated Knox College 3-0 for the league championship. Dreyfus set school and conference season records in 1985 with eight shutouts, a 0.45 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. The save percentage mark still stands as the conference record.

During his three years as the starter in net (1984-86), Lawrence put together a 25-10-1 record. The Vikings finished first (1985), second (1984) and third (1986) in the conference during those seasons.

A team captain and team Most Valuable Player during his career, Dreyfus set the school and conference career records with 18 shutouts, a 1.07 goals against average and an .839 save percentage. The save percentage record still stands as the conference mark.

Dreyfus works at Accenture in Arlington, Va. Dreyfus and his wife, Laura, live in Fairfax, Va., and have a son, Bryan.

Maggie Phillips Reeve ’96

Maggie Phillips stepped to the top of the podium at the Midwest Conference Championships 12 times during her swimming career at Lawrence University. A native of Shorewood, Wis., Phillips won five individual conference championships and was part of seven winning relay teams, and she did it all in just three seasons.

Part of a 3/2 nursing program, Phillips competed for only three years and was part of the group that elevated the Lawrence women’s swim team to consistently be one of the top-three squads in the conference.

Phillips set five individual school records and was part of multiple relay teams to set school records. Phillips continues to hold the 400-yard individual medley record and is part of the team that holds the mark in the 400 freestyle relay.

Phillips started her career with a flash of brilliance at the 1993 MWC Championships. She won individual titles in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 400 IM and was part of the winning 200 freestyle and 400 medley relay teams.

Phillips came back in 1994 to win the conference championship in the 500 freestyle and swim on the winning 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams. She then won the 200 IM at the 1995 MWC Championships and was part of the winning 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle relay teams.

Phillips also was a 10-time champion at the Wisconsin Private College Championships, and the Vikings won the team title in all three seasons in which she competed (1993, 1994, 1995).

Phillips works as a nurse at UW Hospital. She and her husband, Jamie Reeve ’95, live in Shorewood and have three children, Olivia, Max and Lily.

Mark Smrecek ’00

Mark Smrecek was the rock of the offensive line during his four seasons with the Lawrence football team.

An Appleton native, Smrecek was a two-time USA Football All-American and a four-time All-Midwest Conference selection. A stalwart at guard and tackle, it is believed the Smrecek played every offensive snap from scrimmage, including a few at fullback during his four years at Lawrence. Smrecek also was pressed into action on defense in his final two seasons and would play several series on the defensive line in each game.

An Appleton native, Smrecek also was a standout thrower on Lawrence’s track and field team.

Smrecek is one of just six Lawrence football players to be a four-time all-conference selection. He was a first-team selection in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and made the second team in 2000. A football team captain, Smrecek also received honorable mention on the USA Football All-America team in 1999 and 2000.

Smrecek also competed for three years in track and field and was consistently one of the conference’s best throwers. Smrecek, who set the school record in the weight throw, placed in the weight throw and shot put at the conference’s indoor championships in 2000. He also placed in the shot put at the league’s outdoor championships in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Smrecek works as a consulting actuary at Towers Watson. He and his wife, Lela, have two children, Rosemary and Hazel, and live in Deerfield, Ill.

Harris named to All-America baseball team

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University baseball standout Davide Harris has been named to Jewish Sports Review All-America baseball team.

Davide Harris
Davide Harris

Harris (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township), a senior outfielder, was a first-team selection on a squad that encompassed players from NCAA Division II and III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Harris was the lone player from a Wisconsin college to be named to the team.

Harris, who finished in the top 20 in the Midwest Conference in batting average, hit a team-high .341 on the season and also posted a team-best .449 on-base percentage. Batting from the lead-off position, Harris had seven doubles, one triple, 22 runs scored and 15 runs batted in.

Harris was one of the Midwest Conference’s most feared base runners as he swiped 24 bases in 25 attempts this season. Harris’ 24 steals in 2013 was the third-highest season total in school history. Harris finished his career with a Lawrence record 64 stolen bases.

For his career, Harris hit .311 with 51 RBI, and his name is all over the Lawrence record book. A four-year starter, Harris ranks third with 441 at-bats, third with 70 walks, fourth with 89 runs scored, fifth with 137 hits and ninth with 21 doubles.

Lawrence student-athletes named to Academic All-Midwest Conference team

APPLETON, Wis. — More than 100 Lawrence University student-athletes have been chosen for the Academic All-Midwest Conference team.

Lawrence had 133 student-athletes earn the academic all-conference honor, which is given after having a grade point average of 3.33 during that academic year.

The Lawrence women’s swimming and diving team had the largest numbers of honorees with 12. Women’s tennis and women’s indoor track both had 11 and volleyball and women’s outdoor track both had 10.

Complete list