Pointer Baseball Team Opens up 2002 Play This Weekend

     The UW-Stevens Point baseball team will open its 2002 season with high expectations as the Pointers open play this weekend when they travel to Peoria, Ill. to take on Division I Bradley University. The Pointers will play three games against the Braves with a doubleheader Saturday and a single game on Sunday.

     UW-Stevens Point returns a strong nucleus from last year�s 30-14 squad that earned an improbable WIAC championship. Last season the Pointers won three nine-inning games in one day to capture the conference title and move on to the NCAA Tournament.

     This year, four Pointer seniors who earned honorable mention All-WIAC honors last season return, highlighted by centerfielder Randy Reed. Reed started all 44 games for UW-Stevens Point while patrolling the outfield, hitting .348 and leading the team with 10 stolen bases. Fellow All-Conference performers Bill Verbrick and Jeff Pieper should prove to be one of the top pitching duos in the WIAC. The two displayed remarkable control in 2001, allowing a combined 16 walks in 145 innings of work. Third baseman Paul Molitor solidifies the hot corner after hitting .303 with 11 doubles in 2001.

     The experienced Pointers return Kevin Fry and Ryan Ivy in the outfield while Ryan Jones and Matt Peetz will split time between first base and designated hitter. Nick Cahoon is penciled in to handle catching duties. A pair of UW-Oshkosh transfers are slated to man the middle infield as Steve Wiczek will handle second base and Mike Hall will start at shortstop. Joe Waksmonski, another former Titan, will compete for time at first base, outfield and catcher. Jared Szews returns to the closer role for the Pointers after leading the WIAC with six saves last season.