Sports

No. 5 Warhawk Baseball Claims WIAC Tournament Title

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Box Score

WIAC Championship Web Page

The No. 5 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team captured its third straight conference tournament title and seventh all time Saturday afternoon with a 13-9 victory against UW-Stevens Point in the final game of the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Championship Presented by Culver’s at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium in Whitewater.

With the win, the Warhawks (37-5 overall) secure the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship, which begins with the regional round next week. UW-Whitewater will host a six-team, double-elimination regional tournament starting Thursday at Miller Stadium.

The NCAA will announce the 48-team national tournament field on Sunday night on NCAA.com.

Trailing 9-6 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, first baseman/pitcher Donovan Brandl singled through the left side with two outs, and was brought home by left fielder Matt Korman, who doubled the opposite way to trim the deficit to two runs. After a pinch-hit, run-scoring hit to center by Ben Wilkins, catcher Ryan Norton extended the inning further with another hit to put two on with two outs.

On a 1-0 count, centerfielder Zach Campbell hit a double to deep right center field to plate Wilkins and Norton and give the Warhawks (37-5 overall) the lead for good.

Ben Muscatello got the first two outs in the top of the eighth, and Brandl came on for the final out, inducing a fielder’s choice ground ball to end the frame.

Korman provided insurance in the bottom of the eighth with a two-out, three-run homer out to left center field to account for the final margin.

Brandl stayed in the game on the mound and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his first save of the year.

Kade Lancour pitched a scoreless seventh inning and earned the win, improving to 2-1 on the season.

UW-W took the early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning on consecutive two-out, run-scoring hits by right fielder Jacob DeMeyer and Brandl.

The Pointers (32-11) took the lead on a three-run homer in the top of the fourth, but the Warhawks responded with three in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by Campbell and a pair of wild pitches.

The two teams traded runs in the fifth inning and, with UW-Whitewater leading 6-4, UW-Stevens Point plated five runs in the top of the sixth to take a three-run advantage.

Korman tallied four of UW-W’s 17 hits and collected three runs scored and four RBIs. Campbell posted two hits and three RBIs, and shortstop Nick Santoro finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Brandl collected three hits, one run scored and one RBI, and DeMeyer registered one hit, two walks, three runs scored and one RBI. Norton scored two runs with one hit, and designated hitter/pitcher Connor Moroder knocked in one run with a sacrifice fly.

Connor Spear started on the mound for the Warhawks and pitched 4 1/3 innings, striking out six. Moroder got out of a two-on, one-out jam in relief of Spear in the fifth and pitched 1 2/3 frames.

UW-Whitewater will play in its 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament and 23rd in program history.

No. 5 UW-W Baseball Advances to WIAC Title Game

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Friday, May 21, 2021

Related Links:

UW-La Crosse Box Score

UW-Stout Box Score

WIAC Baseball Championship Web Page

The No. 5 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team won its first two games Friday at the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Presented by Culver’s to advance to the title game of the conference tournament.

The Warhawks (36-5 overall), the tournament’s No. 2 seed, edged third-seeded UW-La Crosse 5-4 in the first game of the day, and followed up the performance with a 10-0 triumph in seven innings against No. 4 seed UW-Stout to cap the day.

UW-Whitewater will play in the WIAC championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday against the winner of the UW-Stout/UW-Stevens Point game that starts the day at 12 p.m. With a loss, the Warhawks would play the same team again Sunday at 12 p.m. in a winner-take-all contest.

In the opener against UW-La Crosse (30-12), the Warhawks knocked three solo home runs, including a walk-off shot by second baseman Sam Vomhof with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Third baseman Tucker Criswell and first baseman Donovan Brandl provided the other homers as part of a two-run third that gave UW-W a 4-3 lead.

After three scoreless frames, the Eagles tied the game at 4-4 with a run in the top of the seventh, and neither team scored again until Vomhof sent a shot opposite field over the left field fence for his first long ball of the season.

Shortstop Nick Santoro plated the remaining two runs for the Warhawks on a two-out, two-run triple in the bottom of the second. Left fielder Matt Korman reached base three times with one hit and two walks and scored one run.

Pitcher Connor Spear earned the win in relief to improve to 6-0 on the year, tossing a pair of scoreless frames. Matt O’Sullivan started the game and allowed four runs (three earned) with six strikeouts over seven innings. Spear and O’Sullivan combined to strand 11 UW-L runners in the affair.

In the nightcap against UW-Stout, UW-Whitewater touched home plate four times in the bottom of the third inning and five times in the bottom of the seventh. Korman lifted a two-run home run to deep left field to end the contest by run rule.

Criswell joined Korman with two RBIs to lead the Warhawk offense. Centerfielder Zach Campbell registered two hits, one run scored and one RBI, and Santoro collected three hits and two runs scored. Vomhof and Brandl each finished with two hits and two runs scored.

Righgt fielder Jacob DeMeyer and pinch hitter Connor Moroder plated one run apiece for UW-W.

Westin Muir tossed all seven innings to improve to 8-1 for the season, not allowing a hit after the first batter of the game. He walked one hitter and struck out a season-high 11 batters as part of his efficient performance.

Whippet Golfers Place Third in RVC Meet

Information Submitted by Leif Knudsen
Whitewater High School Head Golf Coach
leifknudsen@sbcglobal.net
Photo Courtesy of Tom Ganser

On Wednesday, May 18, the Whippet Golfers took to the Janesville Riverside Golf Course for a meet with 10 RVC teams.

Whitewater placed third with a score of 389, behind Edgerton with 330 and Evansville with 371.

Jadon Condon led the Whippets with a 91, followed by Camden Frye with a 96.

Pictured from left to right are Coach Leif Knudsen, Carson Bueschel, Camden Frye, Conner Monroe, Dane Hillmer, and Jaden Condon.

Ground Rule Doubles Highlight Latest Whippet Baseball Game

Article Submitted by Michael Hookstead
Whitewater High School Head Baseball Coach
mhookstead@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

The Whippet Varsity Baseball Team suffered a 12-4 loss to Big Foot on Thursday, May 20. 

The team started off slow but they battled hard for the entire game. The offensive highlights came in the 5th inning when Jacob Heritage and Marc Jones both had ground rule doubles. 

  • Jacob Heritage
  • Marc Jones

The Whippets will be back in action this Friday when they travel to Brodhead.

Ryan Callahan named UW-Whitewater director of intercollegiate athletics

Ryan Callahan waves.

Chancellor Dwight C. Watson announced the appointment of Ryan Callahan as the next director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“Ryan was selected because of his experiences as a former Warhawk athlete, coach and budget manager,” said Watson. “He was endorsed 100% percent by all of the coaches and athletic personnel. His commitment to UW-Whitewater was evident in his interviews as he focused on students’ academic and athletic excellence. He wants them to be champions in the classroom and in the various athletic venues.”

Callahan has served as interim director of athletics since May 2019, following the departure of former Athletic Director Todd Garzarelli, after serving as assistant director for two years. As interim director, he has managed a budget of approximately $5 million while guiding the department’s coaches and staff in the marketing, promotion and advancement of championship-caliber athletic programs. Projects that were planned or took place under his tenure include the building of the new tennis locker room and expansion project ($300,000), the Perkins Stadium turf replacement project, starting in May of 2021 ($979,000), and securing a $500,000 gift for women’s athletics and wrestling from an individual donor. Critically, Callahan also led the athletic department and recreational sports through the COVID-19 pandemic, working with each group and partners across campus to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and students as facilities were re-opened.

Callahan will assume the role of athletic director on July 1, 2021.

“I am humbled and honored to lead Warhawk Athletics,” said Callahan. “We have some of the best staff and student-athletes, and I am eager to continue our Powered By Tradition mantra.”

Callahan, who earned a BSE in elementary/middle school education and a minor in coaching in 2004 and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction in 2009, pitched for the Warhawk baseball team from 2001 and 2004 and went on to play for the San Francisco Giants and the Minnesota Twins. He was inducted into the Warhawk Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. He lives in Janesville with his family.

Watson thanked Greg Cook, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and Brenda Volk, head coach of the UW-Whitewater softball program, for their able leadership of the search and screen committee.

Track Hosts Second Triangular, Athletes Finding Their Best Events

Article Submitted by Mark Maas
Whitewater High School Head Track Coach
mmaas@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

We were very happy with the way the Whippets competed Tuesday night, May 18, in the rain. We had season bests in a lot of events. Right now we are doing a lot of experimenting, trying to put kids in different events to find their strengths.

Crystal Chan

We found a hurdler tonight for the girls. Crystal Chan has only been doing the hurdles for a few days, and she won the 300’s and took second in the high hurdles. She is just figuring it out.

Avery Caputo took nearly 11 seconds off his time in the 400 wheelchair race.  

We also had a lot of personal bests in the sprints. That was great to see.

The pieces of the puzzle are starting to take shape. Our kids are working hard and staying focused on end of the year goals.

  • Brock Grosinske
  • Catherine Skindingsrude
  • Cooper Hammond

UW-W Football Reveals 2021 Schedule

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

UW-Whitewater Football Reveals 2021 Schedule

2021 UW-Whitewater Football Schedule

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team has announced its 2021 schedule, which kicks off Saturday, Sept. 4, at Perkins Stadium against Carthage.

The Warhawks will play six home games and four away games this fall. Information on renewing and purchasing season tickets and parking will be announced after July 1. Fan protocols, including tailgating policies, will be released in the weeks leading up to the start of the season.

UW-W’s three-game non-conference slate begins against Carthage, which competes in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and finished with a 4-6 record in 2019. The Firebirds defeated North Park (Ill.) and Millikin (Ill.) during the spring season. UW-Whitewater will recognize its 2021 senior class prior to kickoff.

The Warhawks travel to Salisbury (Md.) for a non-conference game on Sept. 11. The Sea Gulls reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Playoffs in 2019 after earning the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship. They defeated Wesley and Christopher Newport in contests this past spring.

UW-Whitewater closes the non-conference schedule Sept. 18 by hosting Berry (Ga.), a 2019 NCAA qualifier out of the Southern Athletic Association. The Vikings finished 9-2 that season and were unbeaten in four 2021 spring games.

Following a bye week, the Warhawks begin the WIAC schedule Oct. 2 at home against UW-Stout for Alumni Day at Perkins Stadium. The team hosts UW-Platteville one week later during UW-W’s annual Family Fest.

After road trips to UW-Oshkosh (Oct. 16) and UW-River Falls (Oct. 23), UW-Whitewater returns to Perkins Stadium Oct. 30 for Homecoming 2021 and Hall of Fame Day against UW-Eau Claire. The Warhawks welcome UW-La Crosse to Whitewater one week later for Shriners Day and Military Appreciation Day.

UW-W closes the regular season Nov. 13 at UW-Stevens Point.

The Warhawks posted a 13-2 record in 2019, claiming a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 6-1 league mark and finishing as national runner-up after reaching the Stagg Bowl (NCAA Division III national championship game) for the 10th time in program history.

Whippets Claim #4 Spot on Packers Plays of the Month

Article Submitted by Jason Bleck
Whitewater High School Head Football Coach
jbleck@wwusd.org

Great throw, great catch, great blocking, great play to be a part of! Check it out! Play #4 of the Packers High School Plays of the Month for April belongs to the Whippets!

Huge shoutout to the best NFL team out there, the Green Bay Packers, for their $500 donation to our football team for making the Top 5 plays of the month!  

This was actually a pretty extensive selection process. Of all the plays that were submitted, they narrowed it down to 10, where then a panel of 20 Packers employees voted on their favorites, and the Top 5 plays that received the most votes made the cut! I’m very proud of our team for such an awesome play!

No. 3 UW-Whitewater Baseball Closes Regular Season With Road Win

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Sunday, May 16, 2021

No. 3 UW-Whitewater Baseball Closes Regular Season With Road Win

Box Score

The No. 3 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team capped the 2021 regular season Sunday afternoon with a 7-6 victory in 13 innings at UW-Oshkosh in a non-conference game.

The Warhawks (34-5 overall), who clinched a share of the WIAC regular season championship on Saturday with two wins against UW-Eau Claire, will start the postseason Friday at 10 a.m. with a game against the highest remaining seed following Wednesday’s play-in games.

Catcher Ryan Norton posted the go-ahead hit with two outs in the top of the 13th inning Sunday, plating first baseman Donovan Brandl with a single to right field.

Pitcher Ben Muscatello earned his first win of the year by tossing the final three innings, pitching around a leadoff base hit in the bottom of the 13th to cap the contest.

UW-Whitewater took the early lead on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Jacob DeMeyer and a two-out, two-run double down the right field line by left fielder Matt Korman.

The Titans (20-18) got on the board with one run in the fourth before the Warhawks plated two more in the top of the sixth on two-out, RBI hits from Korman and Brandl.

UW-W tacked on one more in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from second baseman Sam Vomhof before UW-Oshkosh rallied to tie the game with three in the seventh and two in the eighth.

Connor Moroder started the game on the mound for the Warhawks, allowing one run and striking out six over five innings of work. Trey Bretl, Jim Jarecki and Matt O’Sullivan all pitched in relief before Muscatello entered the game to start the bottom of the 11th.

UW-Whitewater will host all games played Friday-Sunday in next week’s WIAC Championship, which is presented by Culver’s.

Warhawk Softball Falls in WIAC Championship Game

By Chris Lindeke
Assistant Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Box Score

WIAC Championship Web Page

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team finished as runner-up in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship Presented by Culver’s with a 4-0 setback at UW-Oshkosh in the third game of a best-of-three series to decide the tournament title.

The Warhawks (29-10 overall) won Saturday’s second game by a 9-0 score in six innings to force Sunday’s contest. UW-W was the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament after sharing the regular season championship with the Titans (24-11).

On Sunday, UW-Whitewater matched UW-Oshkosh with six hits, but was unable to string together a rally after falling behind 2-0 through two innings.

First baseman Kaleigh O’Brien and outfielder Taylor Briehl led the offense with two hits apiece. Outfielder Vera Pflugradt and designated player Sophia Kinjerski each tallied one hit.

Starting pitcher Kate Cleveland took the loss, dropping to 9-4 on the year. Mallory Hollatz, Rhiann Dick and Marissa Adams all pitched in relief.

The NCAA Selection Show is slated for Monday at 12 p.m. on NCAA.com. The Warhawks were first in the most recent NCAA Great Lakes Region rankings.