Third-year head coach Jeremy Jirschele enters the 2018 season as permanent head coach and continues to build the UW-Stevens Point baseball program towards extended success. This year, the baseball team features 22 returners, four transfers, and 10 freshmen.

Top returners for the 2018 season include the All-WIAC selection pitching and catching duo Cole Erickson (Deerfield, Wis./Deerfield) and Kyle Mrozinski (Ashwaubenon, Wis./Ashwaubenon). Junior Ryan Stanicek (Loves Park, Ill./Boylan Catholic) was also an impact player last season. At the plate, Stanicek was one of the most successful offensive players and is the lone returning outfielder.

With a new pitching coach and new faces on the roster the Pointers baseball team is striving for higher success than the few past seasons. Utilizing experienced returners, transfers and training new and talented student-athletes, the Pointers baseball program looks to be a major contender in the WIAC this season.
 
On the Mound
For the 2018 season, two-time All-WIAC selection Cole Erickson (Deerfield, Wis./Deerfield) maintains his role as the ace of the staff. He pitched in and started 10 games. He went 4-2 during the 2017 season and maintained a 4.33 ERA. In 60.1 innings, he allowed only 62 hits and 26 walks and struck out 44 batters.

Senior Nathan Mulzer (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) is stepping up his game as the 2018 season approaches. He appeared in 11 games with two starts last season. In 20.0 innings pitched, Mulzer had 25 strikeouts and only allowed 24 hits. Jirschele stated that Mulzer has been throwing the ball well over the fall and winter and that we can expect to see a him playing a large role on the mound this year.

Also adding depth to the pitching staff are returning bullpen pitchers Drew Spaeth (Stratford, Wis./Stratford), Beau Zeihen (Portage, Wis./Portage) and Alex Stodola (Coleman, Wis./Coleman).

"We are really excited to get the guys out there," said Jirschele, "Along with some key additions and veteran guys in the bullpen we can expect a lot from the pitching staff this season."

Behind the Plate
Returning catcher Kyle Mrozinski (Ashwaubenon, Wis./Ashwaubenon) saw the majority of the innings behind the plate last season. He appeared and started in 41 games. He led the Pointers with 44 hits, 28 runs batted in, 12 doubles and 3 triples. He also added four home runs. As well as being an All-WIAC selection, Mrozinski was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), Rawlings All Midwest First Team and D3baseball.com All-Midwest Region third team honors last season. "He's a rock back there and a great leader on the team both defensively and offensively as well," said Jirschele.

Also contributing to the catching position this season is junior Weston Nelson (Sheboygan, Wis./North) and sophomore Matthew Morgan (Bemidji, Minn. /Bemidji).

Around the Horn
Returning to the infield are junior Will Iloncaie and sophomore Tommy Duddleston (Chicago, Ill./De La Salle Institute). Iloncaie has worked on the left side of the infield for his two years with the Pointers. He will be returning to the shortstop position that he played in the 2017 season. Iloncaie had a .220 batting average last season, he recorded 30 RBIs, 24 runs, 36 hits and contributed seven doubles, two home runs and 49 total bases. He also led the team with 135 assists and 22 double plays turned. Jirschele identified that Iloncaie's good hands and strong arm will make him an asset at shortstop again this season. "His athleticism is second to none," said Jirschele.

Duddleston was at third base last season, but has transitioned to a second base role. "It is his natural position, and is where he played before. I look forward to his new role," said Jirschele. Duddleston recorded a .199 batting average last season with 27 hits, 15 RBI and 19 runs. He maintained .977 fielding percentage and contributed 69 putouts last season.

While the competition for the starting first base position is still up in the air, Minnesota-Morris transfer Lucas Luedtke (River Falls, Wis./River Falls ) is the frontrunner according to Jirschele. "It will be great to get a left-handed bat in our lineup," he commented. Luedke was a high impact offensive player at his previous school. He contributed 40 hits, 18 runs, six doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI.

At third base we can expect to see freshman Christian Zamudio (Kenosha, Wis. /Tremper). Although young, Jirschele commented on Zamudio's good hands and expects quality at-bats this season. Zamudio was a three-time letterwinner and an all-conference selection for three years.

Patrolling the Outfield
Ryan Stanicek (Loves Park, Ill./Boylan Catholic) is the lone returner to the outfield this season. He will remain at right field for the 2018 season. Stanicek appeared and started in 41 games where he tallied 36 hits, 31 runs, 39 RBI, 63 total bases and 31 runs scored. Stanicek led the Pointers with five home runs and three triples last season.

In center field, freshman Payton Nelson (Wausau, Wis. /West) is competing for a starting position. With great baseball instinct, his ability to track down balls, and his competitive nature, Jirschele believes that Nelson will be a contributing factor to the 2018 season team.

Competing for the final outfield position, left field, are sophomores Angel Ramirez (Milwaukee, Wis./Greendale) and Neal Matson (Neillsville, Wis./Neillsville) as well as freshman Bradley Hanson.

Jirschele brings back assistant coach Kyle McHugh for his third season on the coaching staff. This will be his fifth year with the program as the finished his last two collegiate seasons at UWSP.

New to the staff is assistant coach Corey Opper. Opper will take on the pitching coach role for the 2018 season. Opper has 17 years of high school and 7 years of legion coaching experience. Jirschele is very happy to add Opper to the staff, describing him as a "great pitching guy, great baseball guy and he really loves the game." Opper has been working on a new offseason pitching program and contributing advice to pitchers that has visibly shown in the pitching staff.

The Pointers start their season with a late night doubleheader at U.S. Bank Stadium against St. Olaf on Saturday (March 10), First pitch is slated for 11:30 p.m. UWSP will then travel to Florida competing in 10 non-conference games. "It is helpful to get out and get a couple of games under your belt before you go and play a quarter of your season in Florida," said Jirschele. He commented that the doubleheader against the Oles allows him to better see the image of the team: lineup, bullpen pitchers and arms that they didn't think of or that they did not think were at that level. "It gives us a leg up when we really hit the ground running down in Florida," he said.

Jirschele also added that he is thrilled about the competition in Florida. "It is always a good thing to play teams that constantly rank high in D3 baseball," he said. Once the Pointers return from Florida, they open up the WIAC with a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader against UW-Oshkosh on April 3. UWSP's home opener is the following Saturday, April 7, a doubleheader against UW-Platteville.