Chuck Brehm Outfielder Univ. of Wis.-Stevens Point

Adam Evanoff First Base Univ. of Wis.-Stevens Point

Josh Perkins Pitcher Univ. of Wis.-Stevens Point

Jordan Zimmermann Designated Hitter Univ. of Wis.-Stevens Point

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Jordan Zimmerman pitched a complete game four-hitter last night, but the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point still suffered an one-run loss in part because the Pointers were not able to execute on offense. Facing elimination at the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship at Fox Cities Stadium, he took matters into his own hands.

Zimmerman's three-run home run to left field in the top of the fourth inning Saturday highlighted an explosive five-run frame and ignited the Pointers, who remain in contention for their first national title with a 12-3 victory over Aurora University (Ill.).

Even a 35-minute rain delay during the middle of the fourth inning couldn't cool off the Pointers' bats as they batted around in the order again in the top of the fifth inning to extend their lead to 11-1. The halted game also seemed to have no effect on University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point starting pitcher Josh Perkins.

"I think for us in any game it's important to get an early lead," said University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point head coach Pat Bloom. "We tend to get into a little comfort zone when we get up early, and with a guy like Josh [Perkins] on the mound, we are able to play the game at more of a relaxed pace."

Aurora University had an opportunity to keep the game close after its first two batters reached base to lead off the bottom half of the fourth inning. However, Perkins was able to get three Spartan hitters to foul out in order to retire the side and get out of the inning with the bases loaded and only one run allowed.

"If we closed it to 5-2 or 5-3, then that changes the tone and pace of the game a little bit," said Aurora University head coach Shaun Neitzel. "All season long we've been getting the big hit, but this weekend we just weren't able to. Obviously, we would have liked a better outcome. We were just looking for that spark, which we never got."

Bloom agreed saying he believed it would have been a completely different ballgame if the Spartans would have been able to put together a rally at that point in time, but he credited his pitcher with mirroring the resiliency which has seemed to define the 2006 Pointers. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is now 10-0 when facing elimination this season.

"[Perkins] did a great job coming back after the rain delay," said Bloom. "I know for any pitcher that's a tough thing to do to have to sit that long, and he already had to sit through a long inning for us offensively. But he is the type of pitcher that when a team tries to gain momentum he's able to settle down, find his rhythm, and get tough outs in those situations."

Perkins confirmed that the delay was a non-factor in his ability to keep focused on the mound despite a somewhat shaky bottom of the fourth. In fact, Perkins admitted that the wait allowed him more time to find his groove and get comfortable.

"I almost felt better than when I first got out there," said Perkins. "At the beginning of the game I was just trying to get used to the mound and wasn't feeling all that good, but I just kept loose."

Of course, having the support from guys like Zimmerman, who contributed four RBIs, including three runs and a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, can help. Overall, the Pointers pounded out 14 hits off of five Aurora University pitchers.

One bright spot for the Spartans was Ryan Losacco, who tallied three of the Spartans' seven hits and extend his consecutive game hitting streak to 21 games. Losacco went 3-for-4 while teammate Jay Zimmerman was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs batted ins.

With the loss, the Spartans were eliminated from the postseason. Aurora University was an at-large berth that rattled off four straight wins in the regional tournament to earn its sixth Championship appearance. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will play at noon on Sunday, May 28 and will take on the loser of the Chapman University (Calif.) vs. Wheaton College (Mass.) game.

By Luke LeNoble
Edgewood College Sports Information Director

Photography by Lehigh Photo