Panther baseball team confident for 2013

By Dan Truttschel~Sports Correspondent

There already were plenty of reasons for optimism when the Wilmot baseball team opened 2013 practice sessions two weeks ago.

But now that the defending Southern Lakes Conference champions finally have been able to get outside – once as of early this week – that excitement has reached a fever pitch.

And for good reason.

Wilmot returns nine players off last year’s team that won the SLC title with an 8-4 record. The Panthers closed 2012 at 16-12 overall, including a regional title.

“The excitement level definitely picked up on Saturday when we were able to get outside and have a practice on the football field,” eighth-year head coach Josh Pye said.

“You can only take so many ground balls in the gym and so many swings in the cage before you need to get outside. Everyone’s ready to go. Just waiting to see what date will be our first game.”

Pye said he will lean on the experience from the nine returning players to lead the way this spring.

And it doesn’t hurt that Wilmot has some fresh new faces to help the cause, either.

“Experience will be a bonus for us,” he said. “We had some sticks and defense with the JV class that came up, so we just need to do the fundamental things right and we should be OK.”

Back on the varsity roster for Wilmot are seniors Nick Heniff (outfield-pitcher), Corey Crowder (infield), Chaz Schmidt (outfield-pitcher), Scott Litwin (infield), Marcus Page (infield-pitcher); and Eric Nevoso (outfield-catcher); and juniors Evan Ketterhagen (outfield-infield), Cam Loveless (outfield) and Garrett Bogucki (catcher).

The pitching staff, led by Schmidt, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee recruit, looks to be a strength, Pye said. Schmidt was a second-team, All-SLC pick last season.

“We return roughly two-thirds of our pitching,” he said. “We all know that pitching is a key factor in this game, but when games start piling up, you have to rely on more arms than usual.

“We have some depth with our pitchers, and (a) key for us will be giving those guys time on the mound and keeping everyone healthy for the tournament.”

Along with the returning varsity experience, Pye said another key will be the additions of a strong junior class.

Newcomers to the varsity squad this spring are Kyle Nixon (infield), Collin Barry (outfield-catcher), Trey Turner (infield-pitcher), Dustin McFarlane (infield-pitcher), Nate Hanner (infield-pitcher) and James Alexander (infield). The roster also includes sophomore Alec Haluzak (outfield-pitcher).

“All of these players will have roles in helping keep this team successful,” Pye said.

Wilmot won last year’s SLC crown by one game over Burlington and Westosha Central (both 9-5) and two games over Badger (8-6). Union Grove and Delavan-Darien were next at 7-7.

Pye expects a similar battle right to the end this spring.

“It is our number one goal to win conference every season, and the guys have that mindset,” he said. “You cannot take a night off if you want to win the Southern Lakes Conference because it is usually one win that decides first and second place.

“For us to repeat, we have to play solid defense behind our pitching and be able to produce more runs than we did last season. … Hopefully, when the dust settles we were be there, but it will take some solid play on our part and everyone staying healthy.”

Pye is assisted this year at the varsity level by Gary Cukla (third year) and Jason Bunton (second year); Jeff Ryczek (fourth) with the JV; and first-year freshman coach Nick Maginn.

Wilmot is scheduled to open its season Saturday, April 6, when it travels to Grant (lll.) for a doubleheader at 9 a.m. The Panthers open SLC action Tuesday, April 9, at Delavan-Darien, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Panthers’ first home game is set for Wednesday, April 10, when they host Racine Park, at 4:30 p.m.

 


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