Baseball: Storm took a big hit from graduation
As defending Packerland Conference baseball champions, the Kewaunee High School varsity baseball team may still have to take a step back this season, says head coach Matt Kohnle.
The team suffered heavy losses to graduation last year, including the loss of three first-team all-Packerland Conference players – Sam Kohnle, Logan Brusky and Josh Lamack.
Brusky was also Player of the Year in the conference. Kohnle is enjoying playing for University of Minnesota-Winona this year, said Matt Kohnle about the nephew he coached for four years.
But it leaves this varsity team with big shoes to fill.
“This year’s team will feature four sophomores and one freshman,” Kohnle said. “Our young team will have a lot of versatility this year and the boys can play several positions – whoever steps up will play a key role for this team.”
The Storm does have some strong returning players including second-team all-conference Ethan Schleis, who will pitch and play infield. Austin Jerabek will pitch and play infield, and Wes Gallenberger will pitch and play first base.
Anthony Barta will do the catching and hit fourth. Cody Bultman will be back and will bat lead off for the Storm and play shortstop.
Dylan Barribeau, Erick Flaten, Tyler Townsend and Nick Lozinski will challenge for spots in the outfield and Austin Kinjeski will also play infield and outfield.
Will Melnarik will be used as a utility player in both outfield and infield and Austin Richard, Cam Hanrahan and Freshman Daniel Stangel will battle for varsity playing time.
“I see Southern Door, Gibraltar and Oconto as the elite teams this year,” Kohnle said. “The rest of the teams I feel are just a step below but can win on any given day.”
The Storm began the season last week with a 13-6 loss to Reedsville last week. Reedsville earned the win in six innings.
On Monday, Kewaunee also lost to Oconto 13-0 in a five-inning complete game shutout.
Kohnle called it an “eye-opening experience” for his younger players. But in his 20th year of coaching players for Kewaunee baseball, he has a long-term view.
“It’s enjoyable watching them grow,” he said.
Tuesday
Luxemburg-Casco 9, Wrightstown 1
LUXEMBURG – Nathan Giachino pitched for the victory after allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters in a complete game for the Spartans’ win.
Jake Thyes doubled with two RBI while Ty Dorner knocked out a double and tallied an RBI as well for L-C, which led only 3-1 before scoring six times in the sixth.
Patrick Froehlke knocked in the lone run for Wrightstown. Zac Haese took the loss.
Amherst 4, Algoma 3
Nelson Bricco hit a walk-off single propelling Amherst to a non-conference win over Algoma.
Booker Prokrash pitched 6.1 innings for Algoma (1-3) allowing four runs with four strikeouts.
Monday
Oconto 13, Kewaunee 0 (5)
OCONTO – Oconto pitcher Grant Frazer threw a five-inning complete game shutout and struck out 11 in the team’s first game of the season.
Seven different players had hits for Oconto. Jake Krueger and Balin Welch each added two RBI.
Ethan Schleis was the only baserunner for Kewaunee (0-2, 0-1) after he recorded a single in the bottom of the fifth.
Luxemburg-Casco 17, Roncalli 7 (6)
LUXEMBURG – Jake Thyes nailed two home runs, doubles and drove in five runs as the Spartans rolled to a run-rule victory.
Austin Tlachac also added two hits for LC, one of which was also a home run.
Spartans pitcher Ian Doell earned his first career varsity win after throwing for five strong innings and fanning three Roncalli batters.
Chris Flowers had two hits and two RBI for Roncalli.
Algoma 9, N.E.W Lutheran 7
ALGOMA – The Wolves held on in an offensive-minded home game for their first win of the season.
Casey Nelson went 2-for-2 with four RBI to lead Algoma (1-1, 1-2) while Trevor Haasch added a double and two more RBI.
Lucas Bukowski, Eric Voskamp, Brandon Macklem and Brock Reisler all had two hits for N.E.W (0-1) in its season opener.
Haasch pitched the final three innings for Algoma and gave up just two runs to earn the victory. Macklem took the loss for N.E.W. Lutheran.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Baseball: Storm took a big hit from graduation