So what if the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team’s record is 5-17; there is more than a record that shows how good a team is before entering the bulk of its conference season.

One major disadvantage that teams like the Panthers have in the world of college baseball is their geographical location. In Milwaukee, as many of you know, there is snow, cold, ice, more snow and more cold.

That being said, baseball teams are forced to work their way indoors to practice or train for the upcoming season, which leaves them more than one step behind their non-conference opponents who are located south of the Kentucky-Tennessee line.

The ability for southern teams to practice in the off season is what gives them such an advantage over teams like Milwaukee. When the Panthers got their first opportunity to actually step onto a baseball field in February, their home field, Hank Aaron Field, was still a foot under snow. Down in sunny Jacksonville, the Dolphins had been able to play throughout the entire winter.

Having the ability to play in fall baseball leagues in the south is what makes a big difference during the regular season. If you look at last year’s final eight teams that played for the College World Series, there was only one team that is as far north in the United States as Milwaukee, and that team happens to be defending champions Oregon State. The other teams: Rice University, located in Texas, UC-Irvine, Louisville, Arizona State, North Carolina, Cal State, Fullerton and Mississippi State.

This is simple proof that shows how hard it is for teams in the north to be successful in the early goings of college baseball.

With Milwaukee’s non-conference schedule being more than half over the Panthers still have much to look forward to. Head coach Scott Doffek and his Panthers will play their first home game at Hank Aaron Field on Thursday taking, on Cleveland State for a three game series.

Milwaukee was picked to finish third in the Horizon League behind Illinois-Chicago and Wright State and that is exactly where they need to be to make a strong run to the NCAA Tournament.

With powerful pitching and some quick bats the Milwaukee baseball team has much to look forward to despite a below average start to the season. Look for the Panthers to finish higher than their preseason rank and make a run in the post season, despite a poor beginning to the season against above average talent.

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