UW-Oshkosh Baseball

2002 Highlights

UW-Oshkosh Remains As Host Of NCAA World Series

The finals of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship will remain in the Fox Cities for at least three more years.

The NCAA Championship Committee, off a recommendation from the Division III Baseball Committee, recently voted in Indianapolis, Ind., to keep the eight-team finals at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute through 2005.

"We're delighted," said UW-Oshkosh director of athletics Allen Ackerman. "There's been a lot of hard work by a lot of people and this is saying that we've done a good job at co-hosting this event. But, we've never rested on our laurels. We've evaluated our performance each year and I know we've gotten better and I think the Division III Baseball Committee appreciates that."

UW-Oshkosh has co-hosted the event since 2000 and was scheduled to host it again next spring anyway. But the NCAA required a re-bidding process that, at one time, had interest from six communities around the country. In the end, the NCAA chose the Fox Cities sponsors over those from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In each year that the finals has been held at Fox Cities Stadium the attendance increased. Last spring, with two state schools (Carthage College and Lakeland College) in the field, the event drew a record 19,575 fans, breaking the old mark set in 1985.

Former Titan To Pitch World Series Opener

Former UW-Oshkosh baseball star Jarrod Washburn will throw the first pitch of the 2002 Major League Baseball World Series when his Anaheim Angels host the San Francisco Giants on Saturday (Oct. 19) at Edison Field in Anaheim, Calif.

The series opener between Anaheim and San Francisco will be televised nationally by FOX, with Washburn's inaugural pitch to the Giants scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CST). Opposing Washburn on the mound for San Francisco will be Jason Schmidt. If there is a fifth game (Oct. 24 in San Francisco) between the two teams in the best-of-seven series it is likely that Washburn would gain the starting assignment once again.

Selected by Anaheim in the second round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Washburn has played the past five major league seasons for the Angels. His regular season statistics feature a 46-26 record and a 3.81 earned run average in 619.1 inning pitched. His 107 regular season pitching appearances also include 97 starts and 401 strikeouts.

This year, Washburn enjoyed his finest regular season ever as registered an 18-6 record and a 3.15 earned run average in 206 innings pitched (32 starts). His earned run average ranked seventh in the American League, while his victory total ranked eighth. En route to his 18 wins, Washburn won 12 consecutive games, a franchise record. Washburn also threw the first pitch of the 2002 major league baseball season when his Angels hosted the Cleveland Indians on March 31.

During this year's post season, Washburn has compiled a 1-0 record and a 2.84 earned run average in 19 innings pitched. He has struck out 11 batters and walked just three while making two starts against the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and one against the Minnesota Twins in the American League Championship Series. His lone post-season win came in the fifth and deciding game against New York at Yankee Stadium.

Last year, Washburn compiled an 11-10 record and a 3.77 earned run average in 193.1 innings pitched. He allowed three earned runs or less in 22 of his 30 starts a year ago, including 19 of his last 22. In 2000, Washburn was 7-2 with a 3.74 earned run average in 84.1 innings pitched.

Washburn pitched for UW-Oshkosh in 1994 and 1995, registering a 15-2 record and a 1.97 earned run average in 118.2 innings pitched. The 1995 NCAA Division III All-America second team selection struck out 141 batters during his UW-Oshkosh career, including 17 in a 1-0 win over UW-Whitewater in 1995. In 1994, the Webster, Wis., native scattered nine hits and struck out eight batters in nine innings to gain the win as UW-Oshkosh defeated Wesleyan University (Conn.) in the championship game of the NCAA Division III World Series.

Washburn is the seventh former UW-Oshkosh baseball player to reach the major league level. Previously, Dorian Boyland played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (21 games) from 1978-81, Jim Gantner for the Milwaukee Brewers (1,801 games) from 1976-92, Terry Jorgensen for the Minnesota Twins (91 games) from 1989-93, Jim Magnuson for the Chicago White Sox (28 games) and New York Yankees (3 games) from 1970-73, Dan Neumeier for the Chicago White Sox (3 games) in 1972 and Gary Varsho for the Chicago Cubs (153 games), Cincinnati Reds (77 games), Philadelphia Phillies (72 games) and Pittsburgh Pirates (269 games) from 1988-95.

Former UW-Oshkosh Pitcher Sets Angels' Record

Even without his best stuff, former UW-Oshkosh pitcher Jarrod Washburn found a way to get another major league win.

Garret Anderson hit a two-run homer to help Washburn win his 11th straight decision and lead the Anaheim Angels over the Minnesota Twins, 4-2, on Tuesday (July 16) in Minneapolis, Minn.

Washburn, whose streak is the longest in the major leagues this year, set an Angels record for consecutive wins in a season. Chuck Finley has the overall club record -- 14 in a row from July 1, 1997, to May 2, 1998.

Throwing 128 pitches in six innings, Washburn (11-2) surrendered two runs, seven hits and two walks.

"Wash worked for it today more so than any other game during this streak,'' Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia said. "We talked about taking him out after the fifth inning, but he said he felt great and lobbied for one more inning. He pitched a terrific game.''

Said Denny Hocking, one of five in Minnesota's lineup who don't usually start: "If we were going to get Washburn, today was the day to get him. It shows you what a tough pitcher he is. Even when he didn't have his best stuff, he was able to hold us down for six innings.''

Troy Glaus drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth against Eric Milton as Anaheim ended a three-game losing streak.

Less than 24 hours after the Twins' rally in a wild game filled with walks, errors and wild pitches, the Angels were victorious in a crisp game matching two of the league's best young lefties.

Washburn, who grew up nearby in western Wisconsin (La Crosse), had to lobby to come out for the sixth.

"I didn't know how many pitches I had thrown,'' Washburn said, "but I felt really good. I had too many foul balls in there. I'm trying to get through the hitters as quickly as I can.''

Washburn, who pitched for UW-Oshkosh in 1994 and 1995, owns a 39-22 career record for the Angels in four-plus seasons. He remains unbeaten in nine road decisions this season.

- Portions Of Story Courtesy Of The Associated Press -

Former UW-Oshkosh Pitcher Records Win Against Brewers

Former UW-Oshkosh baseball standout Jarrod Washburn had a simple explanation for his major league career-high 10 strikeouts.

“Maybe because in the beginning I was so wild that they were surprised when I threw strikes,” Washburn said after his Anaheim Angels beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 8-2, Saturday (June 22) at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

Darin Erstad had four hits and drove in three runs, Adam Kennedy doubled twice and singled, and Brad Fullmer homered as the Angels finished with 16 hits.

Washburn (7-2) pitched out of several jams, working around eight hits and four walks before departing after six innings.

“He really worked for it,” said Angels' manager Mike Scioscia. “He left it all out on the pitching mound tonight. I was glad he could just finish the six.”

The Brewers scored once in their fourth on a pinch-hit single by Mark Loretta before Washburn struck out Ronnie Belliard with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Washburn, who estimated about 200 fans were on hand to see him pitch, had another career first by striking out the side in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Washburn pitched for UW-Oshkosh in 1994 and 1995 and has won his last seven decisions for the Angels (42-29). The major league pitching performance was the first for Webster native in his home state.

Selected by Anaheim in the second round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Washburn has posted a 35-22 record in five major league seasons with the Angels. His 90-game major league career also includes 334 strikeouts in 506 innings pitched.

During his two years at UW-Oshkosh, Washburn registered a 15-2 record and a 1.97 earned run average in 118.2 innings pitched. The 1995 NCAA Division III All-America second team selection struck out 141 batters as a member of the Titans, including 17 in a 1-0 win over UW-Whitewater in 1995. In 1994, Washburn scattered nine hits and struck out eight batters in nine innings to gain the win as UW-Oshkosh defeated Wesleyan University (Conn.) in the championship game of the NCAA Division III World Series.

- Portions Of Story Courtesy Of The Associated Press -

Former UW-Oshkosh Pitcher To Start Against Brewers

Former UW-Oshkosh and current Anaheim Angels' pitcher Jarrod Washburn makes his 80th major league start when he takes to the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday (June 22) at Miller Park. Game time in Milwaukee is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Washburn, a Webster native who pitched for UW-Oshkosh in 1994 and 1995, owns a 6-2 record for the American League Angels (40-29) this season. The major league pitching performance will be the first for Washburn in his home state. Jose Cabrera (3-4) of the National League Brewers (26-46) is scheduled to start against Washburn on the mound.

Washburn, who threw the first pitch of the 2002 Major League Baseball season on March 31 against Cleveland, has started 14 games for the Angels this year. In addition to his won-loss record, Washburn has posted a 3.63 earned run average in 86.2 innings pitched. Washburn, 28, currently ranks 13th in the American League in earned run average, 17th in strikeouts (62), 18th in wins, 20th in games started and 26th in innings pitched.

Selected by Anaheim in the second round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Washburn has posted a 34-22 record and a 4.05 earned run average in five major league seasons with the Angels. His 89-game major league career also includes 324 strikeouts in 500 innings pitched.

Late Scores Oust Titans From WIAC Tourney

Lucas Lechnir Ben Stanley Derrick Straks The game was over.

As UW-Stevens Point shortstop Mike Hall’s fly ball arched toward an UW-Oshkosh outfielder, the Titans had pulled off the improbable upset, knocking off the 10th-ranked Pointers in the opening game of the WIAC Tournament held Friday (May 10) in Stevens Point.

"We had them beat," UW-Oshkosh head coach Tom Lechnir said. "We had the best team in our conference beat, and then we didn’t.

In a shocking turnaround that summarized the Titans’ bizarre season, the dropped fly ball allowed UW-Stevens Point left fielder Kevin Fry to score the tying run. Two pitches later, UW-Stevens Point center fielder Randy Reed crushed a two-run home run off UW-Oshkosh junior hurler Jordan Timm and the Pointers won 8-6.

The Titans’ day only got worse later when they let a 6-2 lead slip away against UW-Whitewater and were ousted from the tournament, 10-9. So ended the worst season in UW-Oshkosh baseball history with two of the better games the young Titans had played all season

UW-Oshkosh finished 17-20-1, its first losing season since 1967 and the most losses by far ever suffered in the program. "I’m not a big fan of losing," said Lechnir, who staggered through his first losing season at any level. "I’m not a big believer in saying you learn from losing. I think you just learn to lose easier."

It’s safe to say Lechnir has never experienced a loss like he did against UW-Stevens Point, which was outplayed by the Titans.

UW-Oshkosh took a 6-5 lead in the top of the ninth when sophomore Zachary Melton delivered a pinch-hit run-scoring single, scoring senior catcher Ben Stanley. But in the bottom of the inning, Fry opened with a double and took third on a ground out.

UW-Stevens Point second baseman Matt Peterson flied out and Hall stepped in, setting up the surreal conclusion.

"Have we ever dropped the last out of a tournament game?" Lechnir said. "No. All I can do is put them in a position to be successful. If we’ve got guys who can’t catch the ball, the wrong guy is out there and that’s my fault."

Stanley finished with three hits for the Titans and sophomore third baseman Kevin Jones added two, including a three-run homer in the first inning.

The Titans pulled themselves together for the loser’s bracket game against UW-Whitewater, which had been upset earlier by UW-La Crosse.

Sophomore left fielder Lucas Lechnir opened the game with a home run and UW-Oshkosh built a 6-2 lead in the third inning on the strength of junior first baseman Nick Henschel’s two-run double and solo homers from Lechnir, Jones and freshman centerfielder Derrick Straks.

"We played well," Tom Lechnir said. "They threw their No. 1 pitcher (Brady Endl) and we hammered him."

Indeed, Endl gave up eight hits and six runs before being chased after barely two innings. But UW-Whitewater battled back, scoring five times in the fourth to grab an 8-6 lead. UW-Oshkosh eventually tied the game at 9 with two runs in the top of the eighth on freshman shortstop Jeremy Jirschele's run-scoring single and a Jones run-scoring ground out.

But the Warhawks won it in the bottom of the eighth with two outs off loser Jeremiah Gowey, a freshman.

Endl singled and took second on Lechnir’s error in left. After a walk, left fielder Dan Gnatzig delivered a run-scoring double. Lucas Lechnir, Jones and Straks all drove in two runs for the Titans. Straks also added three hits, including two home runs, and Melton had three hits.