LOURDES
Coach: Doug Hudson, 21st season.
Assistant coaches: Mike Hohberger, Matt Trygstad, Bernie Carlson and Doug Glasenapp.
Last year: 17-9 overall, 11-6 in HVL.
Playoffs: Lost in section semifinals after winning West Subsection.
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Who’s gone from last year: The team’s top three pitchers, Dave Timmons, Jake Duda and Tim Bargart. Also gone are key contributors Dan Charlesworth, Dan Lose, Brian Battista, Tim Mueller and Tim Bestgen.
Top returners: Mike Glasenapp, Rob Poterucha, Tom Gores, Andrew Verdick and Derek Schoeberl.
Other returning letterwinners: Ryan Miller, Dan Hudson, Luke Hendrickson, Tim Hendrickson, Ben Sparks, Nick Nigon, Jack Carr and Tony Lawler.
Underclassmen who could make an impact: Eric Bieniek, Todd Bestgen and Henry Rownd lead the list, and Peter Aksamit, Jason Schluttner and Jake Currie also are juniors.
Coach Doug Hudson: "We will have to establish consistent pitching to be consistent, but we will work through the rotation and should play solid defense and have adequate hitting too. We’re in a strong league, but we will be competitvie because of our depth and experience. The conference is loaded. In our division, Cotter, La Crescent and Stewartville will lead the way, but Kasson-Mantorville and Hayfield had great Legion years. We have enough talent to contend if all get healthy. Poterucha is not at full strength because of a basketball injury. He is a two-year starter at catcher but will not be able to catch early in the year. It’s always fun to get going. With this group, we have 15 seniors out, and several have played for me since second grade since my son is in this group. We will have fun and work hard, and that usually pays dividends."
ROSTER
Seniors — Mike Glasenapp, Nick Nigon, Andrew Verdick, Rob Poterucha, Dan Hudson, Tom Gores, Derek Schoeberl, Ryan Miller, Luke Hendrickson, Tim Hendrickson, Ben Sparks, Jack Carr, Steve Passe, Tony Lawler, and Joe Callahan. Juniors — Todd Bestgen, Eric Bieniek, Henry Rownd, Jason Schluttner, Peter Aksamit and Jake Currie.
SCHEDULE
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(Games at Hudson Field unless indicated)
April 10 — Winona Cotter, 6:30 p.m.
April 11 — at Hayfield, 5 p.m.
April 14 — Goodhue, 5 p.m. (Mayo Field)
April 17 — Kasson-Mantorville, 4:15 p.m.
April 18 — at Cannon Falls, 7 p.m.
April 22 — at La Crescent, 5 p.m.
April 24 — Stewartville, 6:30 p.m.
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April 26 — at Holy Family Catholic, 1 p.m.
April 28 — at Lake City, 5 p.m.
April 29 — at Winona Cotter, 5 p.m.
May 2 — at Byron, 3:45 p.m. (DH)
May 5 — La Crescent, 5 p.m. (Mayo Field)
May 6 — at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4 p.m.
May 8 — Hayfield, 5 p.m.
May 10 — Lake City, 11 a.m.
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May 12 — at Pine Island, 5 p.m.
May 13 — at Stewartville, 5 p.m.
May 16 — Triton, 6:30 p.m.
MAYO
Coach: Dan Hoefs, third season.
Assistant coaches: Jeff Anderson, Brant Goetz, Josh Matti and Owen Grengs.
Last year: 15-9 overall, 12-6 in Big Nine.
Playoffs: After defeating Hastings and Northfield, Hastings came back to beat Mayo twice and eliminate the Spartans.
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Who’s gone from last year: All-State catcher Tyler Rank, who is now at Nebraska. Also gone is top pitcher Ezra Campbell, who is at Augustana. Other key contributors gone are Ryan Witzig, Alex Russell, Matt Herold and Sam Levisen.
Top returners: Shawn Palmer, Mitch Lund, Mitch Anderson, Tony Nierman, Zach Sallee, Matt Leisen and Kelby Halling.
Other returning letterwinners: Jared Zitnay, Tim Meyer, Travis Schubauer, Travis Nordhaus
Underclassmen who could make an impact: Drew Block, Shawn Moen, Garrett Benson and Rick Weber. Also, he’s not an underclassmen, but Jake Ziegler, who still is recovering from shoulder surgery, could be a big help at catcher. Ziegler is a senior.
Coach Dan Hoefs: "We have a lot of question marks going into this season, but I feel that will lead to some great competition for playing time. We have some kids that can play several positions and we may have many different lineup combinations early in the season. We’ll just have to wait and see which players step to the forefront as the season progresses. The kids have been working very hard during our indoor workouts, and I’m sure they'll carry that attitude outdoors. Kelby Halling is our only starting pitcher back with varsity experience. My hope is that we show improvement with each game. I know that that is an often used coaches' cliche, but I feel it really does define this team this year. Our pitching will be our biggest question mark as the season opens. I feel we have some kids that have the tools to allow us to compete at a high level, but they will have to be able to throw strikes and let their defense make the plays behind them. I feel our defense will be our strong point as the season starts. Shawn Palmer is one of the state’s best shortstops, and he will be expected to anchor our defense and show leadership in that area. Guys like Lund, Palmer, Anderson, Nierman, Block, Leisen and Sallee will hopefully help us score some runs and take some pressure off the pitchers."
ROSTER
Seniors — Mitch Anderson, Matt Leisen, Mitch Lund, Tim Meyer, Tony Nierman, Shawn Palmer, Zach Sallee, Travis Schubauer, Jacob Ziegler, Jared Zitnay. Juniors — Aaron Aaland, Garrett Benson, Corey Black, Andrew Block, Kelby Halling, Shane Moen, Travis Nordhus, Derek Prescher and Rick Weber. Sophomore — Brandon Fieck.
SCHEDULE
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(Home games at Mayo Field)
April 8 — at Hastings, 4:30 p.m.
April 10 — at John Marshall, 5 p.m.
April 12 — at Faribault, 4 p.m.
April 15 — Winona, 5 p.m.
April 17 — Mankato East, 4 p.m. (DH)
April 19 — Albert Lea, 1 p.m.
April 22 — at Austin, 4 p.m. (DH)
April 24 — Owatonna, 7 p.m.
April 26 — St. Louis Park, 11 a.m.
April 29 — Faribault, 4:30 p.m.
May 1 — at Albert Lea, 5 p.m.
May 6 — Century, 7 p.m.
May 8 — at Mankato West, 4 p.m. (DH)
May 13 — at Winona, 5 p.m.
May 15 — John Marshall, 5 p.m.
May 16 — at Owatonna, 7 p.m.
May 19 — at Century, 7 p.m.
CENTURY
Coach: Keith Kangas, eight year as Century head coach and 11th overall.
Assistant coaches: Fabian Luna, Ryan Yahnke, Jose Rivas, Ed Miller, Tony Beck.
Last year: 18-5 overall and 15-3 in Big Nine (won conference title).
Playoffs: Eliminated in Bracket A semifinals during the Section One, Class AAA tournament.
Who’s gone from last year: Andy Knutson, Josh McKeon and Andrew Karnas.
Top returners: Mike DeBolt (all-state, all-conference, all-section, .39 ERA, 9-0 record, 72 Ks, 54 IP, 6 BB, .465 batting average, 28 RBIs, 17 runs scored); Leon Clark (all-conference, all-section, .365 BA, 11 SBs, 33 runs scored); Kyle Sursely (all-conference, 45 IP, 1.39 ERA, 5-2 record, 41 Ks); Dana Hargesheimer (all-conference, .429 BA, 15 RBIs, 12 runs scored); Jordan Kangas (all-conference honorable mention, .357 BA, 12 RBIs, 16 runs scored).
Other returning letterwinners: Nick Pronk, Erik Ordahl (.375 BA), Joe Hopson, Jared Samuelson (16 IPs, 3.00 ERA), Adam Broich (.246 BA, 14 runs scored) and Mitch Arens (10 IPs, 3.50 ERA, 14 Ks).
Underclassmen who could make an impact: Blaine Evans (speedy outfielder and a solid left-handed hitter) and Jordan Martini (slick fielding infielder, also a left-handed hitter).
Coach Keith Kangas: "DeBolt, Samuelson, Sursely and Arens (are our top returning pitchers). (We) should contend for the Big Nine and section titles. We have experience, depth and good team speed. The Big Nine will once again be a very tough league with some of the state’s top pitchers. We hope to be contenders." Kangas said he sees John Marshall and Mankato West as other top contenders in the Big Nine.
ROSTER
Seniors — Mitch Arens, Adam Broich, Leon Clark, Mike DeBolt, Dana Hargesheimer, Joe Hopson, Erik Ordahl, Nick Pronk and Kyle Sursely. Juniors — Marcus Eckert, Blaine Evans, Jordan Kangas, Jordan Krause, Jared Samuelson. Sophomores — Jordan Martini and Andrew Plevak.
SCHEDULE
(Home games at Mayo Field)
April 8 — St. Paul Johnson, 5 p.m.
April 10 — at Mankato East, 4 p.m. (DH)
April 12 — John Marshall, 2 p.m.
April 15 — at Owatonna, 5 p.m.
April 18 — Faribault, 5 p.m.
April 22 — at Albert Lea, 4 p.m. (DH)
April 24 — at Winona, 5 p.m.
April 25 — St. Louis Park, 5 p.m.
April 29 — at John Marshall, 7 p.m.
May 3 — Mankato West, noon (DH)
May 6 — at Mayo, 7 p.m.
May 8 — Austin, 4 p.m. (DH)
May 10 — Winona, 11 a.m.
May 13 — Owatonna, 4:30 p.m.
May 16 — at Faribault, 5 p.m.
May 19 — Mayo, 7 p.m.
JOHN MARSHALL
Coach: Terry Heiderscheit, seventh season.
Assistant coaches: Darren Thompson, Kirk Magee, Dave Anderson, Greg Winter, Dan Glaser and Brent Lichty.
Last year: 17-7 overall, 13-5 in Big Nine.
Playoffs: Lost to Rosemount in the sub-regionals.
Who’s gone from last year: Erik Knutson, Adam Wiesner, Brad Yetzer and Kellen Anderson were all starters who must be replaced.
Top returners: Spencer Brady (team’s top pitcher, 5-2 record, 1.6 ERA, also hit .380); Brian Ness (solid defensive shortstop); Jordan Rishavy (also solid on defense at third base); Bryce Odegarden (catcher who is coming off a great summer); Derek Hovick (delivered as both a hitter and pitcher late last season).
Other returning letterwinners: Kris Long, Brett Gwaltney, Derrick Macken and Ryan Doble.
Underclassmen who could make an impact: Joe Moen, Brian Anderson and Andrew Roble.
Coach Terry Heiderscheit: "Look for Brady, Hovick, Anderson, Roble, Gwaltney and the Moen boys to do most of the pitching for us. We will be competitive this season. If we play well, we have a chance of a winning a lot of games. The conference and region are both solid, and on a given day, any team can and will beat you if you don’t play well. We lost some good players, and these new guys will have to elevate their game. If we can throw strikes and play good defense, we should be OK. It’s tough to call anyone a conference favorite; there are solid teams out there with good pitchers that can shut you down. A lot depends on who you have to face on the mound."
ROSTER
Seniors — Spencer Brady, Brian Ness, Derrick Macken, Kris Long, Ryan Doble, Ben Moen, Bryce Odegarden, Brett Gwaltney, Jordan Rishavy. Juniors — Derek Hovick, Alex Peterson, Matt Bitz, Andrew Nelson, Gary Rysavy, Brian Anderson, Kirby Reeping, Andrew Roble, Joe Moen, Ben VanVooren, Matt Miller and Nate Polansky.
SCHEDULE
(Home games at Mayo Field)
April 8 — at Mankato West, 6:30 p.m.
April 10 — Mayo, 5 p.m.
April 12 — at Century, 2 p.m.
April 15 — at Austin, 5 p.m.
April 17 — at Owatonna, 5 p.m. (DH)
April 19 — at Farmington invitational, 11:30 a.m.
April 22 — at Faribault, 4 p.m. (DH)
April 24 — Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m.
April 29 — Century, 7 p.m.
May 1 — at Winona, 4 p.m.
May 3 — at Albert Lea, 1 p.m.
May 6 — Mankato West, 4:30 p.m.
May 9 — Mankato East, 4 p.m. (DH)
May 13 — Austin, 7 p.m.
May 15 — at Mayo, 5 p.m.
May 16 — Winona, 5 p.m.
