Also online:
After losing three members of the starting pitching rotation and an All-American first baseman, how much respect will UW-Stout, which last season made its first WIAC playoff appearance in the 21st century, get?
That's the question seventh year coach Craig Walter will answer this spring as the Blue Devils put a team with six seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores and 12 freshman on the field.
"We have a great group of senior leaders," Walter said. "I feel this group has a lot of confidence. Getting into the postseason tournament last year showed us we could do it.
"Everyone sees us losing those (starting) pitchers and (All-American and WIAC player of the year) Seth (Maier). But a lot of late season production for us came from the kids returning this year."
Seniors leading the way for the Blue Devils this year will be outfielders Erik Johnson (La Crosse) and Tim Schneider (West Salem), infielders Mike White (Rochester, Minn), Eric Paul (Wisconsin Rapids), catcher Matt Krause (Bonduel) and pitcher/outfielder Bryan Vilstrup (Frederic).
Johnson, who has held down the right field spot all four years, was an all-conference first team pick last season. Krause and White were honorable mention selections last year, and Krause and Schneider were first year picks as sophomores.
Schneider and Johnson, along with Matt Tschida (Jr, Inver Grove Heights, Minn), are expected to work the outfield. Schneider will be at center field and Tschida at left field.
Johnson last year hit at a .311 clip (47-151) with a team-high 47 runs batted in (RBI) and eight home runs. Schneider batted .313 (46-147) with 21 RBI. Schneider committed only one error in 97 chances and had a team-high 13 stolen bases.
First year players Alex Burian (Fr, Eau Claire) and Brian Giebel (Fr, River Falls) will also see time in the outfield.
"We will need to get Burian and Giebel onto the field," Walter said.
The Blue Devils also expect to get time out of David Larson (Fr, Warroad, Minn) and Ben Bengtson (Fr, Warroad, Minn), who have missed the first half of spring practice due to the hockey team's playoff run.
Around the infield, Krause is expected to work behind the plate, Ryan Stace (Jr, Oregon) at third base, White at shortstop, Paul at second base and Andy Lorenzen (Jr, Menomonie) at first base. Greg Smolinski (So, Menasha) will get the early nod at the designated hitter spot, but will also back up Krause.
Krause enters his third year as a starter and, with his experience, should work well with a young pitching staff.
"Matt has a good arm and he likes to get dirty," Walter said. "He keeps the ball in front of himself."
Walter also believes Krause's hitting game has improved. Krause last year hit .281 with 20 runs batted in (RBI).
Stace found himself a home at third base last season, hitting .303 (33-109) with 18 RBI and a team-high 11 sacrifice hints.
White was steady at shortstop, fielding at a .946 clip. He hit .257 (36-140) and had eight sacrifice hits and three sacrifice flies.
Paul, who played outfield last year, had a very nice WIAC playoff series as the fourth seeded Blue Devils defeated UW-Oshkosh in the opening game, then bowed out to UW-Stevens Point and to the Titans.
Paul will be moved to second base because "it gives us the best chance to win with him at second base," Walter said. "That gives us a chance to get our best players out on the field."
Lorenzen moves from third base and catcher to first base, and he is taking to the change, Walter said.
"We figured we have to get him out in the field somewhere," Walter said. "He practices and plays so hard. Our whole team is like that."
Newcomers Brandon O'Connell (Fr, Elk Mound), Bryan Hegseth (Fr, Farmington, Minn) and Brian Chalekian (Fr, Prospect Heights, Ill) will also see some time in the infield.
Walter likes what he sees in his pitchers.
"I think we have a good mix of pitchers," Walter said. "I like our staff. They are not an overpowering staff so we have been asking them what they will do to get outs with their God-given talents."
Much of the mound crew has seen quality time in their short collegiate careers.
"We may not have a lot of innings returning," Walter said, "but we have a lot of appearances returning."
Vilstrup, the crew's only left-hander, returns with the most experience and is looking to hold down the No. 1 spot. Vilstrup tossed 42.1 innings last year with 31 strikeouts.
Matt Doornink (Jr, Cottage Grove, Minn) was the Blue Devils' closer last season, recording four saves, but will move into the starting rotation this year. Doornink led the WIAC in appearances (26), all coming in relief. Doornink had a 3-2 overall record with an ERA of 4.14. He pitched 37 innings, recording 47 strikeouts.
Nate Hanson (So, Bloomington, Minn) has put some movement on his fastball and first year competitor Matt Phipps (Fr, Manitowoc) brings a high level of energy and a big frame to the mound.
Krause, Chalekian and Paul will work the mound in late relief. "Those three give us pretty good relief late in the game," Walter said.
Josh Brandt (Jr, Wausau), Cliff Christopherson (Jr, Bloomington, Minn) and Steve Soukup (Jr, Shell Lake) will each pick up some starts throughout the year. Curtis Dachel (Fr, Bloomer), Mitch Below (Fr, Antigo) and Josh Preston (Fr, Black River Falls) are expected to see some innings.
"I like our (pitching) staff," Walter said. "It is a good mix of players. Because we are not overpowering, I would like to think we are efficient. We will challenge the hitters and the pitchers are to get the ball into play. Defensively, we have a lot of guys who can make plays."
Stout's 2007 All-American Seth Maier is not lost to the Blue Devils. Maier has returned to coach, and is working with the hitters. Also joining Walter on the coaching staff is long time assistant Mark Thomas, Dave Giles and, during the preseason, Bob Thomas.
The Blue Devils open the 2008 season with a couple of doubleheaders at HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn, before heading to Phoenix, Ariz., to face five midwestern area teams. Stout will open Thursday, March 6 when they meet UM-Crookston at 9 a.m.