John Vodenlich and UW-Whitewater have earned a spot in the Division III World Series after a challenging journey back to the eight-team tournament for the first time since 2016. The Warhawks, ranked No. 5 in the latest D3baseball.com national poll, faced No. 16 UW-La Crosse in the NCAA Super Regional on their home field. The Warhawks needed to win two games to secure their spot in the World Series.
In an impressive sweep on Saturday, Cade Berendt and Jack Hagen pitched complete games while the Whitewater hitters combined for 16 runs and 24 hits. Berendt struck out 13 and allowed just three hits in an 8-0 victory in the opener. Seven Whitewater hitters recorded at least one RBI in the victory. Hagen, a freshman, scattered eight hits and allowed no earned runs in an 8-2 victory in the title game.
Junior first baseman Eli Frank and junior leftfielder Matt Scolan played key roles in the decisive game. Frank hit a two-run homer in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly in the third, while Scolan hit a three-run homer in the eighth to seal the victory. The Warhawks advance to the World Series with a record of 40-9, set to begin on Friday in Eastlake, Ohio, with their opponents yet to be determined.
John Vodenlich, who has guided Whitewater to two national titles in 2005 and 2014, led the team to victory in the WIAC regular-season and tournament titles this season. Despite a 3-2 loss in Game 1 of the Super Regional on Friday, the Warhawks have won eight of their last nine games. UW-La Crosse, who advanced to the World Series in 2023, finished their season with a record of 36-16, with six losses coming against WIAC rival Whitewater.