2008 Woodie Awards
Baseball looks to keep winning ways
Justin Wolter
Issue date: 2/27/03 Section: Sports
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Determined, balanced, focused-those are all great characteristics for a single individual, even better features to find in an entire team. Such is Lakeland baseball, the 2003 edition.
With 10 seniors and possibly the deepest pitching staff in team history, the Muskies will take one step at a time in reaching their goals. Heading this year's crew and No. 17 nationally ranked team is 2002 Wisconsin Baseball College Coach of the Year John Weber. Weber led the Muskies to their best season in school history with a 34-16-1 record and a 5th place finish at the NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton. Attached to that, Lakeland became the smallest college ever to make a NCAA D3 College World Series appearance. The 34 wins also set the school wins record for the third straight year. However,Weber is in no hurry to jump right back to the big dance though.
"We need to play one play, one pitch at a time. I'm more concerned about the whole process and the work we put in, and we'll see where that takes us," Weber said.
Second year assistant coach John Govek summed it up saying, "Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some, and sometimes it rains."
Two outfield positions and a shortstop position will need to be replaced for 2003. The departure of .370 hitter and home-run hero Chris Thousand (new grad assistant) along with catcher Matt Frelich (10 home runs) has left positions open. The Muskies also must replace position starters Bo Heinemeyer (RF), Vance Henning (LF), and Jim Kluck (SS).
Although the Muskies have lost some major talent they have what it takes to compete at the level that they ended their season on. "Our defense is the true strength of our team as we have no weaknesses in the field. We have confidence and are strong and reliable. Our starting number one and two pitchers, can match up with anyone in the nation. Our three through five starters will determine how far we go. One through nine we have a solid line-up, and don't appear to have any drop-offs," said Weber.
With 10 seniors and possibly the deepest pitching staff in team history, the Muskies will take one step at a time in reaching their goals. Heading this year's crew and No. 17 nationally ranked team is 2002 Wisconsin Baseball College Coach of the Year John Weber. Weber led the Muskies to their best season in school history with a 34-16-1 record and a 5th place finish at the NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton. Attached to that, Lakeland became the smallest college ever to make a NCAA D3 College World Series appearance. The 34 wins also set the school wins record for the third straight year. However,Weber is in no hurry to jump right back to the big dance though.
"We need to play one play, one pitch at a time. I'm more concerned about the whole process and the work we put in, and we'll see where that takes us," Weber said.
Second year assistant coach John Govek summed it up saying, "Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some, and sometimes it rains."
Two outfield positions and a shortstop position will need to be replaced for 2003. The departure of .370 hitter and home-run hero Chris Thousand (new grad assistant) along with catcher Matt Frelich (10 home runs) has left positions open. The Muskies also must replace position starters Bo Heinemeyer (RF), Vance Henning (LF), and Jim Kluck (SS).
Although the Muskies have lost some major talent they have what it takes to compete at the level that they ended their season on. "Our defense is the true strength of our team as we have no weaknesses in the field. We have confidence and are strong and reliable. Our starting number one and two pitchers, can match up with anyone in the nation. Our three through five starters will determine how far we go. One through nine we have a solid line-up, and don't appear to have any drop-offs," said Weber.