2015 Division 2 Preseason Rankings

Honorable Mentions

Ripon

Prairie du Chien

Ellsworth

Mosinee

Wisconsin Lutheran

10. Appleton Xavier

Xavier finished in 3rd place in the Eastern Valley conference last year, ahead of state tournament team Ripon and annual conference power Fox Valley Lutheran. Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs, Xavier has potential to have a breakout year this spring. They will have six starters back from last year, including four all-conference players. Catcher Brady Stolzman (.393 batting average, 2 home runs, 19 RBIs) and infielder Alexis Quintero will provide some good bats to the lineup, and on the mound they will have at least four pitchers with experience back, led by 3rd team all-EVC pitcher Chase Lindem. Xavier should compete with Freedom for a conference title again this year.

9. Hayward

The Hurricanes made it to the sectional semifinals last season before losing a tight 2-0 game to Somerset. This year they’ll have five all-conference players returning, including 1st team infielder Sam Yoder. In fact, they’ll have three returning all-conference infielders, which should make for an experienced squad out on the field.

8. Freedom

Freedom had its most successful baseball season in school history last year, winning 20 games and reaching the sectional finals. Five starters return from that team, including three 2nd team all-EVC players (Tyler Behle, the Irish’s 3-hitter and SS, Kody Theobald, their 1B and 2-hitter, and Brandon Desotell, their LF and 6-hitter). Pitching will be a big question mark for the Irish, as their two best pitchers both graduated.

7. Lodi

Lodi will have several important contributors coming back this season after losing in the sectional semifinals to Big Foot. Some of the players they have back helped the Blue Devils win the state title in 2013, including 1st team all-conference players Garret Wegner and Zach Steuck. They lost their ace on the mound, so pitching will be a question mark. However, with some good young talent coming through their ranks, Lodi should be very competitive again this year.

6. Jefferson

The defending state champs got hit pretty heavily by graduation. They have three returning starters this spring, including their middle infielders and catcher. Every other spot on the field will need to be replaced. On the mound, their returning players only pitched a total of six innings last season. Offensively, the three returning starters will play a big role again this spring. Nick Schrader, the starting shortstop (.462 batting average) will be the biggest threat in their lineup, while second baseman Dylan Ott and catcher Jared Nelson can more than hold their own too. Obviously if the Eagles are to defend their title, new pitchers will need to step up and make an impact.

5. Wautoma

Wautoma was upset in the first round of the playoffs last year, despite being the top seed in their region. They have eight letter winners returning from that team, including four all-conference players. Jack Eagan (11-1, 0.53 ERA), an Indiana University commit, will lead them on the mound, while the likes of 1st team all-conference shortstop Colton Burt and 1st team all-conference outfielder Nolan Hinz will headline the offense. The Hornets are firm favorites to win the South Central Conference this year.

4. Big Foot

Big Foot won the RVC South and made it to the sectional finals last year before being defeated by Ripon. They have five all-conference players returning from that 21-win team, including 1st teamers Brett Morris and Alex Landers. Pitching will be Big Foot’s biggest question this year, as they lost their longtime ace to graduation. If they can find some consistency on the mound, the Chiefs will be one of the most competitive teams in Division 2.

3. Notre Dame

New coach Doug Coe will have plenty of talent to work with this year. The Tritons won 16 games last year mainly playing against Division 1 competition and reached the state semifinals before losing to eventual champions Jefferson. This spring they have either seven or eight returning starters and three of their top five pitchers back. 2nd team all-FRCC catcher Connor Yakel (.327 batting average) will lead the offense, while seniors Davis Elm (3.72 ERA) and Ty Yewman (1.40 ERA), along with junior Eric Erb (3.18 ERA) will headline the pitching staff. While their regular season record is usually deceiving, Notre Dame has made it to the state tournament three out of the last four years, and they could very well be back again this June.

2. Beloit Turner

Turner returns a ridiculous seven all-conference players from a team that won 17 games a year ago, including four 1st team all-RVC South picks. Jameson Fell, one of those 1st team all-conference players, will lead the pitching staff, while honorable mention all-state infielder Zach Virgin (.500 batting average last year) will headline a powerful offense. Despite being knocked out of the regional semifinals in extra innings last spring, expect the Trojans to compete with Big Foot for the RVC South title this year.

1. Denmark

Denmark won 23 games last season and beat several top teams in Division 1 along the way. Although they were knocked out of the playoffs in the regional finals, the Vikings will have their four best pitchers back, all of whom have committed to play college baseball (three to NCAA Division 1 schools). The pitching staff of Jack Collins (1.29 ERA/University of North Dakota commit), Tanner Umentum (Chicago State University commit), Riley Pelischek (0.72 ERA/University of North Dakota commit), and Derek Van Pay (2.07 ERA/St. Cloud State commit) will make it very difficult for opponents to score runs against Denmark. Offensively, the Vikings have six returning starters, making for an experienced lineup. They will, however, need to fill the hole left by last year’s Bay Conference Player of the Year Alex Loberger, their catcher from a year ago. Regardless, they’re the team to beat in Division 2 thanks to what may be the best pitching staff in Wisconsin.

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