No matter what you’re playing for, it’s always important to play your best ball at the end of the season.
For the Warhawks, this next week will determine what seed they will get for the WIAC tournament. Whoever gets the No. 1 seed gets to host the tournament on May 13-14.
The ’Hawks will end their regular season this week with three straight doubleheaders, with two of them against UW-La Crosse.
On Saturday against the Eagles, Jim B. Miller, former head coach, will be honored. This past year, UW-Whitewater named the baseball facility after Miller. The dedication will take place after the first game.
Trailing UW-Stevens Point by a half a game in conference, the ’Hawks have four crucial games left. Not only do they need to win out, they need help from UW-Stout if they want a chance for the No. 1 seed.
“I would say we would have to win all four games this weekend, but we also have to have some help from UW-Stout,” senior Rob Coe said. “If UW-Stout wins only one game, I think the tiebreaker goes to UW-Stevens Point because they have more wins against UW-Oshkosh.”
The ’Hawks are currently 14-0 this season at home, so home-field advantage would be huge.
“I think playing in front of our home fans would be ideal for us,” Coe said. “We are more comfortable on our field because it is turf so there is a lot less error because we know how to play on it. It would also be nice to play in front of our friends and family.”
The ’Hawks had a seven-game winning streak until they were beat twice by UW-Oshkosh last Saturday. They responded well, and beat the Titans twice on Sunday.
“I think a big issue on the two games yesterday that we actually accomplished was not swinging at first pitches,” Coe said. “On Saturday we were swinging at first pitches and weren’t working counts. Yesterday we were more productive hitters and we made them throw pitches that we could drive.”
The ’Hawks have found their No. 3 pitcher in Justin Lambert, but in order to have a chance to beat the Eagles all four times this week, the ’Hawks must rely on other pitchers.
“The pitchers this weekend did really well,” Coe said. “Lambert only gave up two earned runs and he has been doing really well. It’s just finding someone that can step in.”