In a thrilling display of dominance, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater secured their second consecutive and 23rd overall regular-season championship in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) baseball league. This achievement was marked by an impressive 19-4 triumph over UW-Platteville at Prucha Field at Jim Miller Stadium on May 3. The Warhawks’ stellar season record of 34-4 overall and 24-4 within the WIAC earned them the top seed for the upcoming WIAC Tournament, which kicks off on May 8. Hosted by UW-Whitewater, this double-elimination event will determine the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA tournament. Joining Whitewater as competitors are UW-La Crosse (No. 2), UW-Oshkosh (No. 3), and UW-Platteville (No. 4).
The opening game against the Pioneers saw an early lead established by UW-Platteville through key contributions from Anthony Massa, Sam Meidenbau, and Connor Gressens. However, UW-Whitewater swiftly retaliated with Eli Frank’s sacrifice fly and Adam Cootway’s solo homerun, narrowing the gap to just one run. The Warhawks then took full control, scoring in every subsequent inning. A standout moment came in the second inning when Matt Scolan hit a 3-run homer, setting a new career RBI record for the program. Later in the match, Scolan also broke the career walks record.
In the fourth inning, the Warhawks extended their lead significantly thanks to crucial 2-RBI doubles from both Cootway and Andy Theis. Thies scored himself following a Hopper hit, while Dominik McVay added another RBI to further solidify their advantage. Despite UW-Platteville managing a few runs in the fifth inning via a sacrifice fly by Trinity Beland, the Warhawks countered strongly with a base-clearing triple by Sam Paden, pushing their lead into double digits. Additional runs in the sixth inning by Evan Olson, Thies, and Jackson Koenig cemented their commanding 19-4 lead.
Cade Hansen delivered an exceptional performance on the mound, pitching a complete game with 11 strikeouts over seven innings. On the opposing side, Gressens stood out for UW-Platteville with two hits and an RBI. The Warhawks' victory not only clinched the regular-season title but also set the stage for their aspirations in the WIAC Tournament, where they aim to continue their remarkable season.
This decisive win highlights the Warhawks' consistent excellence and sets a formidable precedent as they prepare to host the WIAC Tournament. Their ability to dominate on the field and break records underscores their status as a powerhouse in collegiate baseball. Fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for this talented team as they pursue further accolades in the upcoming championship event.