Wisconsin Baseball Central
Divison 3 Preseason Rankings
The 2016 spring season is nearly here, and it's time to take a look ahead to what Wisconsin will have to offer this year. Preseason rankings, exciting as they may be, are subjective and up for debate. There will undoubtedly be ranked teams that go through struggles this season, while unranked teams that were overlooked will come from nowhere to make some noise. With that being said, the following teams are who we at Wisconsin Baseball Central feel will be the best of the best this year. Read on to see our Division 3 preseason rankings.
Honorable Mentions
Spring Valley
Durand
St. Mary's Springs
Crandon
St. Croix Falls
10. Stevens Point Pacelli
The Cardinals won 21 games a year ago and made it to sectionals before being defeated by Marathon in a close game. They have the majority of that team returning to the field this year. Five all-conference players will lead the way for Pacelli. 1st teamers Chris Shibilski and Cal Hintz are joined by 2nd teamers Matt Helms and Andy Tepp on an experienced Cardinal roster. Last year, Pacelli finished in second place in the Central Wisconsin Eight Conference, but this spring they’ll hope to win the title.
9. Lake Country Lutheran
The Lightning have won back-to-back state championships, and they have a few players remaining from those title winning squads. Three starters return for the reigning Division 3 champions. 1st Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite Jake Hall (.425 average, 27 RBIs, 35 steals) is joined by 2nd Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite Joe Lipsky (.489 average, 32 RBIs) as LCL’s heart of the lineup. The Lightning will definitely have holes to fill, though. They have very few pitchers with varsity experience on the team. Ethan Kennedy (1-1, 11 innings, 3.71 ERA) is the only player with double digit innings pitched on the roster. However, if some of last year’s backups and JV players can step up, the Lightning should be just fine this year.
8. Prairie du Chien
The Blackhawks won the Southwest Wisconsin Conference last year over state tournament team River Valley, and they should compete for another title this spring. They have five all-conference players returning, including three all-conference infielders. Peyton Hall and Dylan Yeomans were two of their best position players a year ago, and they are back this spring. 1st team All-SWC pitcher Chas Sagedahl is back as the team’s ace as well. Ultimately, there’s a lot to like about Prairie du Chien this year, who always seem to field a competitive team.
7. St. Mary Central
The Zephyrs cruised to an Olympian Conference title last year but were upset in their playoff opener by Shiocton. Seven starters return this spring, including two preseason All-Wisconsinites. Tyler Nelson (.522 average, 15 RBIs) and Mack Blashka (.362 average, 16 RBIs) are arguably their two best players, but UW-Whitewater commit Trevor Hogenson (.364 average, 20 RBIs) and sophomore Christian Jack (.340 average, 16 RBIs) will also play important roles. Blashka (7-1, 49 innings, 0.57 ERA) returns as the Zephyrs’ ace, but Caleb Davidson (2-1, 16 innings, 0.88 ERA) is the only other returning player with significant innings under his belt. Another Olympian Conference championship is a very reasonable goal for the Zephyrs this year.
6. Markesan
Markesan went 20-2 in the regular season last year, but ultimately fell in the regional finals against Laconia. They will have seven starters returning this year who will look to improve on last season’s results. Denton Plagenz (.434 average, 37 RBIs) returns as the team’s top run-producer, while Cody Ryan (.351 average, 28 RBIs), Kyle Krueger (.373 average, 17 RBIs), Ryan Walker (.379 average, 12 RBIs) and Hunter Newton (.324 average, 23 RBIs) will also power the offense. The Hornets also have two of their three starting pitchers back from last year. Ryan (6-0, 39 innings, 2.69 ERA) and Krueger (9-1, 44.1 innings, 1.74 ERA) will look to stifle opposing lineups. Markesan should battle Pardeeville for the Trailways North title this year.
5. Marathon
Marathon saw its championship hopes dashed in the state semifinals last year in a humbling defeat to Aquinas. The good news for the Red Raiders is that they have five starters returning this spring, including 2nd Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite Landen Williamson (.451 average, 11 extra base hits, 32 RBIs) and 3rd Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite Ryan Gassner (.345 average, 30 RBIs). They’ll also bring back Karter Underwood (.364 average, 14 extra base hits, 20 RBIs) and Noah Dirks (.353 average, 15 RBIs). On the mound, both Gassner (9-1, 61.2 innings, 1.58 ERA, 120 strikeouts) and Underwood (6-0, 50 innings, 2.66 ERA) bring back a wealth of experience. The Red Raiders are firm favorites to win the Marawood South Conference again this year.
4. Spencer
The Rockets will bring back eight starters from a team that won 20 games and lost in the regional finals to Marathon a year ago. Bobby Pilz (.485 average, 19 RBIs, 30 steals), Jake Meyers (.364 average, 22 RBIs), Hunter Luepke (.351 average, 24 RBIs), and Jonny Tomke (.329 average, 28 RBIs) all bring back varsity experience. In terms of pitching, the Rockets will have a few options. Pilz (7-0, 57.1 innings, 1.95 ERA) was their best pitcher last year, while Calvin Lenz (5-2, 33.1 innings, 4.62 ERA) and Nate Neumann (4-0, 20 innings, 1.75 ERA) both threw several innings as well. Spencer shared the Cloverbelt East title with Neillsville last year, and they’re the favorites to claim it again this year.
3. Aquinas
The Blugolds drew the short stick in last year’s Division 3 state championship game, which featured one of the craziest finishes to a tournament game in recent memory. Aquinas took home the silver trophy last June, but they’re one of the early favorites to win the gold this season. They have six starters returning from their state finalist team, plus three of their top five pitchers. Unfortunately for the Blugolds, their three best hitters from a year ago all graduated, so the returning players will need to pick up a lot of slack on the offensive side of things. 2nd Team Preseason All-Wisconsinite Alex Schulte (.322 average, 29 RBIs) will lead the way, with Tyler Young (.240 average, 12 RBIs) and Jacob Horstman (.225 average, 12 RBIs) also able to contribute. Schulte (10-0, 63 innings, 1.22 ERA) returns as the team’s ace, while Andy Gundersen (3-0, 35 innings, 2.60 ERA) and Tim Bettis (2-2, 16 innings, 2.18 ERA) also bring back experience on the mound. The Blugolds should be in safe hands with their pitching rotation, but their offense will be a big question mark. If they find ways to score runs consistently, Aquinas will have a good shot to return to the state tournament.
2. Elk Mound
The Mounders won 17 games last year before falling in the sectional semifinals at the hands of Durand. They will have eight returning starters this season, including St. Scholastica commit Cole Tyman (.366 average, 3 home runs, 26 RBIs), Alex Hollister (.370 average, 17 RBIs), Brandon Bohl (.317 average, 14 RBIs), and Carter Pritchard (.303 average, 15 RBIs). Bohl (11-3, 79.1 innings, 1.24 ERA, 107 strikeouts) returns as the Mounders’ go-to pitcher, while Tyman (3-0, 16.2 innings, 3.36 ERA) and Trey Mohr (3-2, 35.1 innings, 1.39 ERA) round out the rotation. As a team, they have all the tools necessary to win their first conference title since 2013 and make a run to the state tournament.
1. Coleman
The Cougars will take the field this year hungry for their first state tournament berth since winning the Division 4 state championship in 2012. They lost to Marathon in the sectional finals last spring after they won 21 games and earned a #1 seed in the postseason. They’ll have eight starters returning this year who should expect big things from their team. Preseason 2nd Team All-Wisconsinite Nick Sailer (.515 average, 17 extra base hits, 25 steals) and 1st team all-conference outfielder Blake Margis will power the offense, while Matt Osterberg (7-2, 72.1 innings, 0.92 ERA, 97 strikeouts) is arguably the best pitcher in the Marinette & Oconto Conference. If all goes to plan, this could be the year Coleman returns to Appleton in June.
Leave a comment below to let us know what you think!
Note: Stats for Markesan, Spencer, and Elk Mound were found on wissports.net.