Senior Spotlight: Cal Ihlenfeldt

School: Kewaunee

Sport: Baseball

Parents: Kelli and Steve Ihlenfeldt

How frustrating was it to lose your first season to COVID?

It was pretty frustrating losing my first high school season to COVID after spending lots of time preparing for it during the fall and winter. I think it would have been really beneficial for my teammates and I to gain that new experience for high school baseball.

What’s the strongest pitch you have in your arsenal and why?

The strongest pitch I have in my arsenal would probably be my slider.

How important is work ethic at the varsity level and what tricks have you developed to maintain yours?

Work ethic is very important at the varsity level and is one of the main components to a successful program. Some tips that I use to maintain my work ethic is reminding myself that it’s a game I love and something that has been a big part of my life, and  this helps me continue to stay motivated.

Which of these scenarios comes with more pressure for you; pitching to a good hitter with runners at the corners in a tie game or being at the plate as a hitter with two runners in scoring position and two outs in a tie game?

In that scenario being up at the plate with runners in scoring position as a hitter has a little more pressure than pitching for me.

Favorite pitcher of all time? Favorite hitter?

Favorite Pitcher: James Karinchak. Favorite Hitter: Juan Soto

Best sports movie you’ve ever seen?

The Sandlot

If you could pass on one piece of advice for the next crop of leaders on the Kewaunee baseball team, what would it be?

One piece of advice that I would give to the upcoming Kewaunee baseball team I would say is to keep working hard to be the best version of yourself on and off the field.

You’re going to play ball at Ripon College next year. What do you plan on focusing your studies on? What do you have in mind for a career?

I plan on majoring in business at Ripon next year, and a career I have in mind is a job in the banking industry.

Playstation or Xbox?

Playstation.

What do you do to keep busy in the winter?

In the winter I like to play basketball, go skiing, watch new movies, and hang out with friends.