A recurring theme of the currently UW-Whitewater run in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional at Whitewater has been players “stepping up” one through nine in the batting order.
While the seniors like Danny Putnam, Rob Coe and Jeff Donovan have had big hits including home runs by Donovan and Coe in Thursday’s 7-6, ten-inning victory over Hamline.
It has been the plate appearances by a couple players deep in the order that has had a huge impact on the Warhawks offensive attack.
Matt Beyer (No. 7 in the order) and Dylan Friend (No. 8 in the order) have executed brilliantly at the plate in both regional wins for the Warhawks.
Beyer, a junior out of Janesville Parker High School, is 5 for 7 at the plate through two games in this week’s Midwest Regional play. The Hawks leftfielder has scored two runs and drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in UWW’s 3-2 opening round victory over St. Thomas. Beyer was 4 for 5 in Thursday’s extra inning win setting up the victory by tripling to in the 10th and scoring on Dylan Friend’s game-winning double. Matt has also stole two bases in the tournament.
“I’m just seeing the ball really well at the plate,” Beyer said following Thursday’s 7-6 win over Hamline.
Success can be equated with confidence according to Hawk head coach John Vodenlich.
“Confidence is high right now,” Vodenlich indicated during his post-game press conference Thursday. “With a continued confidence and strong play we are capable of going a long way in this tournament.”
Dylan Friend continues to impress in the No. 8 spot in the UWW batting order. The freshman centerfielder is 3 for 7 in regional play. Dylan has driven in three runs included his dramatic two-out, 10th inning double to score Matt Beyer with the game-winning run vs. Hamline.
Not often does a “raw” freshman spend his first season as a starter. Friend has been penciled in the starting line-up as the Hawks centerfielder in 39 of the 40 games he has played in.
The Burlington native tells voiceseyeonbaseball.blogspot.com that he is a much better hitter now than he was early in the season.
“As a hitter I’ve gotten a lot smarter,” Friend said. “I credit Coach Vodenlich for teaching me to be smarter and more aggressive at the plate. I’m able to anticipate at the plate much better than I did early in the season.
Friend, Beyer and the rest of the Warhawks will take on the winner of Friday’s 10 a.m. UW-Stevens Point vs. Hamline elimination game.
First pitch for Friday’s Warhawk action is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium on the campus of UW-Whitewater.
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