Episode 113: 2023 Midwest (Region 9) Preview

Welcome to Episode 113 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. It's way too cold to start playing baseball in the Midwest Region (Region 9) but that's not gonna stop us from previewing all the D-III baseball teams within it. In order: ARC (at 2:40) Loras was definitely good but not "16-0" to start the year good; how will they keep the momentum going after a breakout season? Buena Vista can mash but will need some arms to step up Coe are the defending champs despite a bizarre season and have a lot of experience to replace Luther leads the rest of the pack within a very balanced conference on the whole MIAC (at 15:30) Bethel dominated in 2022 and has basically everyone back ready to do it again -- watch out for this squad Gustavus Adolphus and Saint John's (MN) are the likeliest to push the Royals Remember the name Kiefer Lord!!! (even if he isn't pitching in the MIAC anymore) MWC (at 29:10) We've seen a few different teams challenge for this conference title and the latest team on top was the Lawrence Vikings, who return an excellent lineup led by one of 2022's national HR leaders basically everyone else in this conference is solid, we'll see if UChicago can finally get over the hump UMAC (at 37:30) Crown was one of the best stories of 2022 and now has plenty back to defend their UMAC title Don't forget about Northwestern (MN), though, even if they have a ton of impact talent lost to transfer/graduation WIAC (at 45:50) UW-Stevens Point loudly re-established themselves back atop the D-III baseball world and look like the favorite again UW-Whitewater will need a ton of inexperienced arms to fill in a lot lost to graduation but the offense should roll again UW-La Crosse was ultra-young a year ago and might be ready to jump back into contention UW-Oshkosh was disappointing in 2022 but still has a good amount of talent to get back in the mix atop this conference Don't sleep on Eau Claire; that's a program clearly on the rise We conclude (at 1:01:10) with our player and pitcher of the year picks, and our teams to beat. Then we say goodbye.  Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.  Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected] Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5uk8q4iUrMUZRriKM1Akfx?si=b6820eb311f847f1  Support us on Patreon -- this will never be behind a paywall but we appreciate any support to help cover our podcasting hosting fees and all the hours we put into making these pods possible! https://patreon.com/user?u=87461961&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=join_link