By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
When a baseball squad loses a Southern Lakes Conference Player of the Year to gradution, and three other honorees, it could be an uphill battle the following season.
However, despite the loss of Marshall Gilbert, Westosha Central High School still has its eyes set on the top of the Southern Lakes Conference, according to coach Jacob Morman.
“We as a program always set high expectations for ourselves every season, but this team especially has laid out some very specific goals that they want to reach and they have worked hard all off-season,” said Morman, whose team finished one game behind SLC champion Waterford last year with a 11-3 (18-6) record.
The Falcons’ season ended in the second round of the WIAA Division Regional 12-4 to Kenosha Indian Trail.
Gone to graduation are Marshall Gilbert, fellow first-team honoree Greg Kuhfuss and second-team acknowledgments Cory Hauser and Matt Young.
Offsetting the loss of Marshall Gilbert, who batted .480 with five home runs, 12 doubles and 36 RBIs are a talented class of juniors – catcher Garrett Gilbert, third baseman Tanner Bykowski, outfielder Trent Jones, outfielder Jake Werth, pitcher/outfielder Austin Podella and pitcher/infielder Bryce Edwards.
“We have a big group of juniors that have played multiple years of Varsity baseball that I think are going to really take off this season,” Morman said.
Among the key returners, Garrett Gilbert hit .411, scattered 13 extra-base hits, including four home runs and 12 RBIs.
“Garrett Gilbert has all the tools to be a very special player and to play at the next level,” Morman said. “He’s already started two years of varsity baseball and done a fantastic job.”
Morman plans to shuttle Garrett Gilbert to catcher from the shortstop position last year, and believes Marshall’s younger brother has skills to call a game.
In addition to Garrett Gilbert, Bykowski finished second on the team as a sophomore with 20 RBIs, collected seven doubles, drew 11 walks, pounded out 24 hits and struck out eight times in 78 plate appearances.
Jones finished his sophomore season with 21 hits, 11 RBIs, five doubles with a .375 OBP.
Adding to the mix of a strong junior class is senior pitcher/infielder Dylan Hogan, who contributed 32.1 innings, where he struck out 20 hitters.
Newcomers include seniors Joe Morman (infield), Vinny Reiter (infield), Tom Flentge (infield); juniors Parker Krumm (pitcher/infield), Logan Hughes (outfield), Jack Schroeder (catcher) and sophomore infielder Josh Leslie.
The sole freshman is pitcher Austin Glidden, who received a No Decision in a 2-1 win against visiting Burlington April 14.
Without an established ace, Morman said Glidden’s game was a relief for the rest of the pitching staff.
Morman looks to Podella, Krumm and Edwards as other potential starters.