BASEBALL
The Blue Devils (12-12, 6-7) will look to get back on the winning track after a 1-3 WIAC weekend hosting UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater. Stout will host UW-River Falls, Wednesday, April 24 at 1 p.m., then tentatively host UW-Whitewater, Friday, April 26 in a make-up from last weekend. The Blue Devils will be at UW-Stevens Point, April 27-28. Stout is currently tied with UW-Platteville for fourth place. Last week: The Blue Devils split, April 17, with UW-Superior, crushing the Yellowjackets, 15-0, in the opener, then falling flat in a 12-5 loss. Stout lost 8-0, 2-1 to UW-Whitewater, April 20. The April 21 doubleheader with the Warhawks was snowed out. Position player of the week: Jon Kroening, So, Ladysmith, Wis. Pitcher of the week: Brian Bee, Sr, Bloomer, Wis..

SOFTBALL
The Blue Devils (6-10, 3-5) are scheduled to play a couple of makeup conference games. Tuesday, April 23, Stout will host UW-Eau Claire at 4 p.m., then is slated to travel to UW-River Falls, Thursday, April 25. The Blue Devils will host the WIAC Cluster Tournament, April 27-28, and will face UW-Whitewater, UW-Platteville, UW-Oshkosh, and UW-Stevens Point. Twenty total games are on the schedule for the two-day round robin. Last week: The week started off well as the Blue Devils opened with a 5-0 win over UW-Superior, April 16, but Stout dropped a 10-4 decision in the nightcap. Stout then lost, 4-0, 10-2, to UW-La Crosse, April 18 and lost a non-conference doubleheader to Hamline, 14-3, 6-3. Position player of the week: Kim Caswell, So, Stanley, Wis. (Stanley-Boyd) Pitcher of the week: Molly Kraft, Fr, St. Louis Park, Minn.

WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
The Blue Devils will be at the UW-La Crosse Classic, Saturday, April 27. A few members will compete in the prestigious Drake Relays, April 26-27. Last week: Stout competed at UW-Eau Claire. Track athlete of the week: Amy Arndt, Sr, Lakefield, Minn. Field athlete of the week: Marci Schachtner, Fr, Deer Park, Wis. (Clear Lake)

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
The Blue Devils will be at the Macalester Invitational, Wednesday, April 24 and at Drake Relays, April 26-27. Last week: Stout competed with a split squad April 20, at the Kansas Relays in Lawrenceville, Kansas, and at the Carleton Relays. Track athlete of the week: Dave Huber, Sr, Mendota Heights, Minn. Field athlete of the week: Lewis Cassellius, So, Glenwood City, Wis.

WOMEN'S TENNIS
The Blue Devils will close out the spring schedule, Wednesday, April 24 at Martin Luther College.

FOOTBALL
Tony Beckham became the first Blue Devil drafted when he was picked in the fourth round by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

Baseball

April 20, 2002

MENOMONIE - It was an offensive struggle all afternoon for UW-Stout as they couldn't string anything together against some tough Warhawk pitching. The blue Devils, (12-12, 6-7) managed only 10 hits in the two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) losses to UW-Whitewater (21-5, 11-3). The Warhawks took the decisions, 8-0, 2-1.

In the first game, Stout struggled at the plate right from the start thanks to a strong performance by Whitewater's Nathan Karaway. Karaway kept the Blue Devils in check, going the distance for the shutout victory.

Down Only 2-0 in the top of the eigth, the Warhawks finally got to Stout's Matt Lunde (Sr, Eau Claire). Perhaps tired from all of his work the week before when he was named the WIAC pitcher of the week, Whitewater tagged Lunde for six runs on seven hits in the inning, including two homeruns.

Stout's Jon Kroening (So, Ladysmith) collected two of the Blue Devils five hits. Stout failed to get a base-runner passed second base in the game.

The second game was a classic pitchers duel, Stout's Adam Rothenbuhler (Sr, Trego) and Whitewater's Joe Shere both kept opposing batters off balance throughout the game. Rothenbuhler surrendered two runs in the first inning, but settled down nicely going the distance scattering seven hits. Shere had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning when Ryan Boylen (So, Prarie du Chien) smacked a pinch-hit single back up the box.

Stout got their lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Scott DePorter (So, Whitewater) got things started, continuing to be the hot bat off the bench with his pinch-hit single. Nick Kalina (Sr, Potosi) would execute a successful sacrafice bunt moving Rich Young, (Jr, Woodbury, Minn) pinch-running for DePorter, to second base. Adam Acker (Jr, Minnetonka, Minn) would follow with another pinch-hit single moving Young to third. Matt Hoeft (Jr, Elk Mound) would score Young on a sacrifice fly to deep center field. Stout again managed only five hits in the game, two of them coming off the bat of Boylen. The Blue Devils again struggle to find the clutch hit, stranding four runners in the game.

April 17, 2002

MENOMONIE - It was a tale of two stories for the UW-Stout Wednesday, April 17 at Nelson Field. Stout (12-10, 6-5) took the front end of the doubleheader with ease winning 15-0 (7 inn). The nightcap was a different story, the Yellowjacket's (4-15, 1-11) turned things around, handing Stout a 12-5 loss.

In the first game, the Blue Devils came out and did everything right. In the first inning, Jon Kroening (So, Ladysmith) put Stout on the board first with an RBI single scoring Jake Riek (So, Boyceville), who lead off the game with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. In the second inning, Stout exploded for seven runs on seven hits. After putting up a six run fourth inning, Scott DePorter (So, Whitewater) would cap the Blue Devil's hit parade with a pinch-hit homerun. The majestic, solo shot was DePorter's first as a Blue Devil.

Brian Bee (Sr, Bloomer), frustrated Superior hitters with six strong innings of shutout ball. Bee scattered three hits while striking out five.

Leading the Blue Devils at the plate in the first game were Kroening and Justin Biever (Jr, South Milwaukee), who had three hits apiece.

In the second game, it was UW-Superior who came hungry for their first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) victory. The Yellowjacket's got to Stout's Adam Rothenbuhler (Sr, Trego) tagging him for seven runs on seven hits in the first 4.2 innings of work. Superior brought a steady hit attack, and took advantage of several costly errors by the Blue Devil defense.

Down 10-0 in the bottom of the seventh, Stout wouldn't go quietly into the night. Biever got things started reaching on a hit by pitch. Nick Kalina (Sr, Potosi) followed with a single, Brock Meyer (Jr, Lyle, Minn) walked to load the bases. Rob Govek (Sr, Wausau) was hit by a pitch, scoring Biever. Riek then blasted a two run single up the middle scoring Kalina and Meyer. Matt Hoeft (Jr, Elk Mound) followed with an RBI single scoring Govek. After loading the bases again with only one out, Stout couldn't find the clutch hit as JW Dachel (Sr, Bloomer) and Brad Barneson (Sr, Strum) both struck out swinging to end the threat.

Greg Thielbar was Superior's star on both sides of the ball. Thielbar pitched six strong innings earning his first victory of the season. At the plate he only helped his cause going 3-for-6 with a run and two RBI, including a two-run homerun in the fourth.

Stout would add a final run in the ninth on DePorter's second successful pinch-hit of the day, a single, scoring Govek. Stout stranded eight runners in the game.

April 16, 2002

MENOMONIE - In one day, UW-Stout's righthanded pitcher Matt Lunde (Sr, Eau Claire) recorded a nine-inning 8-7 win over UW-Oshkosh, then came back in the second game to pitch 2.1 innings and pick up the save in an 11-10 win over the Titans. For his efforts, Lunde was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) pitcher of the week.

Lunde, pitching on only one day of rest after a 4-1, nine-inning win at UW-River Falls, entered the first Oshkosh game Sunday down 6-0 with bases loaded and gave up only one unearned run the rest of the way, scattering eight hits. In the second game, Lunde worked 2.1 innings, facing nine batters, allowing two runs on two hits to get the save.

Earlier in the week, Lunde went the distance against River Falls, giving up the one earned run, striking out six and scattering six hits. On the week, Lunde worked 20.1 innings, was 2-0 with a save, allowed 16 hit, 4 runs, 3 earned runs, gave up two walks and recorded 12 strikeouts. Lunde had a weekend ERA of 1.33.

April 19, 2002

ST. PAUL - UW-Stout (6-10, 3-5) ran into a tough Hamline squad on the road Friday, April 19. The Blue Devils continued their offensive woes scoring only six runs in the two games.

In the first game, Hamline pounded out 11 hits, three for extra bases, enroute to a 14-3 five inning victory. Hamline got a strong performance from starting pitcher Chris Hodroff as she went the distace allowing only two earned runs.

UW-Stout's Kim Caswell (So, Stanley) was the offensive leader for the Blue Devil's going 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.

In the second game, Stout got a strong picthing performance from Molly Kraft, (Fr, St. Louis Park, Minn) but it was a couple of costly errors that ended up doing in the Blue Devils. Only two of the six Hamline runs were earned, both of those home runs.

Jamie Gorges, (Fr, New London) lead Stout at the plate going 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI. Gorges blasted her first home run as a Blue Devil, a two run shot in the first inning.

April 18, 2002

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout (6-8, 3-5) couldn't seem to put together an offensive attack as they combined for only seven hits in the two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) losses to UW-La Crosse (19-9, 5-3).

In the first game, Stout was kept off balance at the plate thanks to a strong performance by La Crosse's Sally Wenzel. Wenzel went the distance for the victory surrendering only four hits, one for extra bases, while striking out six Blue Devil batters.

Molly Kraft (Fr, St. Louis Park Minn) pitched a solid game on the mound, but didn't get any help offensively. Kaela Wold (Fr, Altoona) was the lone bright spot at the plate for the Blue Devils going 2-for-3, collecting half of the teams total hits.

In the second game, Stout jumped out to an early lead thanks to the continued hot hitting of Wold. With two outs in the first inning, Sarah Kokke (Sr, Galesville) got things started with a single. Moments later, Wold would blast her second home run of the year over the left field fence. The two-run blast would be the last of the offensive output for the Blue Devils.

With two outs and the game tied 2-2 in the third inning, La Crosse loaded the bases, setting the stage for Jill Purko. Purko hit what seemed to be a routine fly ball to center field, but with the strong tornado-like winds, it turned into a momentum swinging grand slam. The Eagle's would never look back, scoring three more in the fourth and tacking on a run in the fifth to make the score 10-2. The game was decided via the eight-run rule.

Stout will travel to St. Paul, Minn. tomorrow April 19 to take on Hamline University, and will be back home on Sunday, April 21 to take on Augsburg College.

April 16, 2002

SUPERIOR - UW-Stout (6-6, 3-3) is still hanging around at the .500 mark thanks to their split with the UW-Superior Yellow Jackets.

In the first game, Molly Kraft (Fr, St. Louis Park, Minn) went the distance as she shutout the Yellow Jackets. Kraft scattered three hits while striking out five. The Blue Devils scored three runs in the sixth inning thanks to a couple of defensive mistakes by Superior. The Blue Devils added a final insurance run in the seventh inning when Sara Kokke (Sr, Galesville) blasted her second homer of the season.

In the night cap, Superior finally got to Blue Devil starter Kraft. The Yellow Jackets pounded out 12 hits, scoring eight runs in the first five innings. Kaela Wold (Fr, Altoona) led Stout's offensive attack, blasting her first homerun as a Blue Devil.

April 20, 2002

NORTHFIELD, Minn - Jenney Luer (Sr, Colfax) not only topped her previous best in the discus, the UW-Stout standout totally erased the old mark at the Manitou Track & Field Classic, Saturday, April 20 in Northfield, Minn.

Luer tossed the plate 159-feet, 1-inch, eclipsing her mark of 151-11. Because the first place performer was an unattached Canadian, Luer won the collegiate championship in the event. Luer was second in the shot put, marking at 43-4.25.

Laura Verdegan (So, Tony) easily won the triple jump (37-6.50) by more than a foot, and was third in the long jump (17-3.25).

Andi Schwabenlender (Sr, Bristol) was only three-quarters of an inch short of the school pole vault record, but did not place (8-9.50).

Marci Schachtner (Fr, Deer Park) placed ninth in the hammer throw, but added 50 feet to her previous best to mark a distance of 131-7. Amy Arndt (Sr, Lakefield, Minn) knocked off 21 seconds in the steeplechase to place second (12:30.38) in her heat of 18.

April 20, 2002

LAWRENCEVILLE, Kansas - UW-Stout's Dave Huber (Sr, Mendota Heights, Minn) placed second in the 10,000-meter run at the Kansas Relays in Lawrenceville, Kansas, while pole vaulter Lewis Casselius (So, Glenwood City) placed second at the Carleton Relays, Saturday, April 20 in Northfield, Minn.

The Blue Devils competed with a split squad.

Huber clocked a time of 32-minutes, 9.92-seconds in the 10,000, while Cassellius vaulted 14-1.25 to tie in height with NCAA Division II competitor Dan Madden of Minnesota-Duluth. Madden took the event on misses.

Dan Austin (Fr, Clintonville) placed sixth in both the long jump (19-11.50) and the triple jump (41-10.75) at Carleton. Aric Hanusa (Jr, Baraboo) was fourth in the pole vault (13-7.25).

The Blue Devils will be at Macalester College, Wednesday, April 24 and a limited number of athletes will compete at the Drake Relays, April 26-27, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Football

April 21, 2002

Beckham was the first NCAA Division III player chosen in the 2002 draft and was picked five slots behind Wisconsin Badger cornerback Mike Echols, who Beckham worked out with in Madison. Echols was also picked by the Titans. The 2002 draft saw 261 players selected.

Beckham , who was tabbed by NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper as the 10th ranked cornerback in the draft, was the first Blue Devil drafted in the NFL Draft since the early 1970s. Three other Blue Devils have been drafted, but none of them played in the NFL: center Dick Erickson, 1967, Kansas City Chiefs; tackle Gary Inskeep, 1970, New York Giants (Inskeep went on to a solid career in the Canadian Football League); and defensive back Reggie Holmes, 1971, Minnesota Vikings.

The speedy defensive back from Ocala, Fla., ran one of the top 40's at the NFL combines in Indianapolis, Ind., in March and had solid games at both the Blue-Gray Classic on Christmas Day and again at the Rotary Gridiron Classic in January.

Two former Stout players have played in the NFL. Bob McRoberts played with the Boston Redskins in 1944 and defensive lineman Jeff Hazuga played last season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he signed as a free agent.

Updated: April 22, 2002