Amateur sports preview: May 31-June 1

BASEBALL
Wisconsin State League
Eau Claire Cavaliers
Record: 5-0, 0-0.
Standing: Tied for second in the WSL, one-half game back of Addison (Ill.).
On tap this week: First, a pair of doubleheaders against the defending WSL champion Lombard (Ill.) Orioles, 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday at Carson Park. The Cavs then have a pair of non-league games, at Hastings (Minn.) on Wednesday and home against Red Wing (Minn.) on Friday.
Notes: The biggest WSL weekend tilt for the Cavs very well could be this one — the first of the summer. The Orioles and the Cavs finished 1-2 in the WSL last season and were co-champions with Kenosha in 2006. The Orioles took three of four a year ago. It’s obviously early, but it’s not far-fetched to think the outcome of this series could go a long way in determining how the WSL ultimately shakes out.
Question: Will the Cavs have enough arms to get through the all-important four-game series?
Answer: It’ll be close. First-year manager Mark McHorney still is waiting on a number of high school arms but can’t get their services until the prep season ends. However, they still will have Garrett Nix, one the team’s most reliable last season, in addition to lefty Dan Olson, hard-throwing Cody Bunkelman, Yoshinori Machida, Dave Oestreich and Troy Peiffer. If none of the starters blow up early and wreck the light bullpen, the Cavs should be OK until the reinforcements arrive.


FOOTBALL
Northern Elite Football League
Chippewa Valley Predators
Record: 1-0, 1-0.
Standing: Tied for first in the Western Conference.
On tap this week: at the Superior Stampede, 4 p.m. Saturday.
Notes: It took some doing before the Predators got their offense rolling in a 24-0 victory to open the NEFL season against the Green Bay Gladiators. They didn’t need much offense, though, considering their defense was lock-down — much like it was last season.
Question: Will the offense get its legs under it any quicker on the road against a proven Superior team?
Answer: It will have to if the Preds want to stay undefeated. The Stampede blew out the East Metro (Minn.) Phoenix, 41-0, in Week 1. The Stampede, who beat the Preds in a rain-shortened game last season, have as good a chance as any at scoring some points against the Preds defense. If they do that, and quarterback Nick Schumacher — who misfired on his first 11 passes in Week 1 — has another slow start, it could be a frustrating night for first-year coach Martin Adams. But, again, that ball-hawking Preds defense is athletic enough to keep the team afloat in a close game.

Eau Claire Crush
Record: 2-0, 1-0.
Standing: Tied for first in the Eastern Conference.
On tap this week: A home game against the Central Wisconsin Panthers at 6 p.m. Saturday at Carson Park.
Notes: After tagging the Minnesota Valley Wolfpack in a 58-0, non-league victory to open their season, the Crush went on the road and came away with a much closer, 14-0 victory over the Northern Wisconsin Wolverines a week ago.
Question: Can the Crush put up a third straight shutout?
Answer: It’s certainly possible. That’s a pretty high expectation, though. The Crush, who have all kinds of new personnel on both offense and defense, haven’t shown any signs of slowing after getting to the Great Plains Football League championship game last season. New quarterback Ben Luehrs has been strong under center, and the backfield has been good led by John Wolfe, so the Crush usually won’t need a zero from their defense.

Questions? Comments? Drop me a line at justin.harings@ecpc.com.

-Justin Harings