2017 Division 2 Preseason Rankings

The 2017 WIAA spring baseball season is right around the corner. The first day for official practice is Mar. 20, with opening day following on Mar. 28. Who are the preseason favorites to hoist the state championship trophy in June? Read on for Wisconsin Baseball Central's 2017 preseason rankings.

Honorable Mentions

Fox Valley Lutheran

Campbellsport

Lodi

Catholic Memorial

Antigo

10. Waupaca

The defending state champion Comets will have heavy turnover from last year’s roster. Six starters graduated and their head coach retired, but there are still some players on the roster that should make the transition smooth. They will have four starters back this season. Outfielders Brenden Canterbury (.352 batting average) and Max Menzies (.317), catcher Hayden Neidert (.338) and infielder Jacob Popham (.337) all return with championship experience. Brandon Watts (20.2 innings pitched, 3.05 ERA) and Ryan Dayton (eight appearances, 2.90 ERA) are the only pitchers back who have seen much time on the mound. If new players can step up, the Comets have a chance to be good again this year.

9. Luxemburg-Casco

The Spartans won 16 games last season and earned a number one seed in the playoffs, but lost in the regional semifinals to Denmark. They will have all of their starters back this season, four of whom were first team all-conference selections. Outfielder Austin Tlachac, designated hitter Jake Thyes, catcher Kyle Routhieaux and pitcher Nathan Giachino all earned that honor. The North Eastern Conference will be full of good competition this spring, and the Spartans should be right in the thick of things.

8. River Valley

The Blackhawks got upset in the regional finals after winning 17 games last season. They will have most of their starters returning this year. Two first team all-conference picks will be back in outfielder Ryan Wickman (a Valparaiso commit) and utility man Elijah Alt. Second team all-conference infielder Alan Spurley and honorable mention all-conference infielder Dayne Leonard will also return. Alt and Spurley both have pitching experience too. If the players replacing those who graduated last year step up, this is a team that has the potential to match or improve upon their 17 wins from a year ago.

7. Whitewater

The Whippets tallied 22 victories last spring and made it to the sectional finals, but ultimately fell just short of the state tournament. They’ll have a good collection of talent returning from that team. Five starters will be back from last season. First team all-conference infielder Bryce Parrish and second team all-conference infielder Tyler Niemuth bring back solid experience to the infield. Honorable mention all-conference outfielder Jim DuVal is also back for the Whippets. First team all-conference selection Jason Curtis should anchor the pitching staff along with Parrish. Whitewater will battle Jefferson for the Rock Valley North Conference title.

6. Columbus

The Cardinals won 19 games last spring before falling in the regional finals. They will take the field this year with an experienced team and some big-time talent. They’ll have three college commits in their ranks, including two to Division 1 schools. Ohio commit Randon Dauman and Bradley commit Connor Manthey will both be important contributors in the Cardinals’ lineup. Madison College commit Eliot Turnquist earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season as an infielder. The Cardinals will also have first team all-conference infielder Peyton Henry and second team all-conference infielder Bryce Hilber back. Dauman will be their top pitcher, and Turnquist and Henry also have experience on the mound. Columbus narrowly missed out on the Capitol North Conference title last spring, but they have a good chance to claim it this season.

5. Freedom

The Irish won 20 games last year on their way to the regional finals, where they fell to eventual state champion Waupaca. They will have an experienced team this spring. Six all-conference players and eight starters return, including honorable mention All-Wisconsin outfielder Cole Evers (.462 batting average). The outfield should be a strength for the Irish, as second team all-conference pick Parker Rudie is also back. Honorable mention all-conference infield picks Dakota Brockman and Josh Kuntsman (UW-Oshkosh commit) also return with experience. Second team all-conference pitcher Charlie Jadin should lead the pitching staff for the Irish. In the highly competitive North Eastern Conference, Freedom is one of the favorites to win the conference title.

4. Waupun

The Warriors won 17 games last spring and made a run to the sectional semifinals before seeing their season end. They will have six all-conference players back this year. Rock Valley JC commit Drew Behling (.500 batting average) was named second team all-state by the WBCA last year. First team all-conference infielder Jak Lenz and second team all-conference outfielder Nate Brown are also back. Caleb Sauer and Reece Homan were both named honorable mention all-conference. Brenden Bille returns as the team’s top pitcher—he was a second team all-conference pick last season. Behling and sophomore Caden Bronkhorst also saw time on the mound last year. Waupun should battle Campbellsport for the East Central crown again this spring.

3. West Salem

The Panthers reached the state tournament for the second consecutive season last spring, but got knocked out in the semifinals by eventual state champion Waupaca. They will have almost their entire team back from last year, including seven starters in their lineup. Leadoff man Braxton Ghelfi (.368 batting average), catcher Trevor Kastenschmidt (.345) and outfielder Nick Schultz (.292) are just a few of the hitters who are back for West Salem. Alex Jeranek won five games as a pitcher last year, and he’s back this season. Schultz (3-2, 3.30 ERA), Ghelfi (3-1, 3.20 ERA) and Alec Gorski (22 innings, 3.18 ERA) also bring back experience on the mound. The Panthers have the experience and the talent to make a third straight trip to the state tournament.

2. Jefferson

The Eagles went 21-7 last year and got eliminated from the playoffs by Catholic Memorial in the regional finals. They come back deep in all facets of the game this spring. They will have five returning starters in their lineup, including honorable mention All-Wisconsin catcher and Northern Illinois commit Ian Drays (.500 batting average, 25 RBIs). Concordia (Wis.) commit Chris DeKrey (.265), senior Hunter Milbrath (.375) and Evan Anfang (.337) are also back. Honorable mention All-Wisconsin pitcher and Cornell College commit Cam Anfang (8-1, 1.12 ERA) will be the Eagles’ ace again this season. Drays and DeKrey also saw time on the mound last year, along with junior Aldair Ramirez. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top of the Rock Valley North between Jefferson and Whitewater.

1. Beloit Turner

The Trojans won 23 games last spring but were knocked out of the postseason in the regional finals by Evansville. The majority of last year’s team is back, highlighted by honorable mention All-Wisconsin catcher Ethan Burns (.417 batting average). They will have six starters back overall. Juniors Mitchell Seager (.414) and Hunter Waldsmith (.308) and seniors Sam Behm (.341) and Hunter Martindale (.333) all bring back good bats for Turner. Waldsmith (7-0, 1.04 ERA) should continue as an ace on the mound. Both Martindale (4-0, 2.10 ERA) and Behm (6-2, 2.39 ERA) had good stints on the bump last year as well. There is a lot to like on the Trojans’ roster this year, and they’re the strong favorites to win the Rock Valley South.

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