2008 Woodie Awards
Men's Baseball Locked and Loaded for Explosive Season
Sarah Wall
Issue date: 2/19/04 Section: Sports
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Thanks to a solid core of returnees and a talented group of newcomers, men's baseball coach John Weber is optimistic for what 2004 should bring. With their first ten games to be played in Port Charlotte, Florida, beginning March 6th, the men hope to continue the tremendous success they've had in the past few years, which includes winning the conference the past three years and receiving an NCAA bid for the past two. Despite having only two seniors on the roster, the team is very ambitious.
"This is a great group of guys. They get after it and are excited about baseball; I have to drag them off the field sometimes," says Head Coach John Weber.
Leading the squad this year is Steve Plucinski with enough credentials to earn him the title of top returnee. Plu, a right handed junior pitcher hailing out of Mundelein, IL, was first team all region last year which is an honor just short of being dubbed an All American.
He was also an all-star of Northwoods summer league, which is among the top leagues in the country where he was one of only two Division III players. In Division III last year, he pitched 12 strikeouts per nine innings, second only to a player who was drafted by the Yankees, a feat he hopes to accomplish after this season. However, Weber would like his offensive production to go up whether he's hurling the ball or playing his other position, second base.
Helping out Plucinksi in the pitching department will be the other top returning pitcher and one of the seniors, Dan Rauwerdink, a right hander from nearby Cleveland, WI. Weber says Rauwerdink is sometimes "overlooked but invaluable to our team". He had served a reliever and spot starter in the past, but this year he looks a more for the starting role. The team once voted Rauwerdink hardest worker, and he has been called a good leader.
Another all-region/all conference player, Shane Hanson, a junior infielder, will be returning for his second year at Lakeland.
"He's our #3 hitter and Shane brings a lot of experience, which is good to have. He has a taste of it and knows what to expect," said Weber.
"This is a great group of guys. They get after it and are excited about baseball; I have to drag them off the field sometimes," says Head Coach John Weber.
Leading the squad this year is Steve Plucinski with enough credentials to earn him the title of top returnee. Plu, a right handed junior pitcher hailing out of Mundelein, IL, was first team all region last year which is an honor just short of being dubbed an All American.
He was also an all-star of Northwoods summer league, which is among the top leagues in the country where he was one of only two Division III players. In Division III last year, he pitched 12 strikeouts per nine innings, second only to a player who was drafted by the Yankees, a feat he hopes to accomplish after this season. However, Weber would like his offensive production to go up whether he's hurling the ball or playing his other position, second base.
Helping out Plucinksi in the pitching department will be the other top returning pitcher and one of the seniors, Dan Rauwerdink, a right hander from nearby Cleveland, WI. Weber says Rauwerdink is sometimes "overlooked but invaluable to our team". He had served a reliever and spot starter in the past, but this year he looks a more for the starting role. The team once voted Rauwerdink hardest worker, and he has been called a good leader.
Another all-region/all conference player, Shane Hanson, a junior infielder, will be returning for his second year at Lakeland.
"He's our #3 hitter and Shane brings a lot of experience, which is good to have. He has a taste of it and knows what to expect," said Weber.