SEASON RECAP
Fans,
First off we would just like to thank you all for all your amazing support this past season, there is no way we could have done what we did without all of your support. We are all incredibly privileged to play this amazing game each school year and we cannot do that without you guys cheering us on.
Second, as you all know our season was cut short as we went 2 and done at the conference tournament in Sheboygan, WI. We played two great teams that just beat us and there is nothing we can do. We do hope that we learn from our experience and use that next year as we try and make another run at a conference title. Game 1 of the tournament was against top 5 opponent Windsor University and they played like a top 5 team. They held Minnesota to 2 hits in a 5-inning mercy rule game. Senior Austin Ridl and Sophmore Peter Haggerty each tallied a hit. Ridl hit a leadoff triple in the second and then Brock Chenier hit an RBI Sac Fly to push the only run across for Minnesota.
Game two was a battle of Minnesota as Winona State lost a high scoring affair to Illinois in their opening round game. The scoring started as both teams pushed across a run in the first. Minnesota got a RBI single from Marshall Dalziel. Winona went on to push 10 more runs across the plate over the next 5 innings. In the bottom of the 6th down to their final 3 outs Austin Ridl singled to start the inning and then Marshall Dalzieldrove a 3-1 count fastball over the left field fence to keep the game going. Minnesota tacked on two more runs off the bats of Jason Leadley andAaron Schwecke. In all Minnesota had 10 hits but could not overcome 4 errors in the field and dropped their final game 12-5.
The team finished the season with a 20-8 record, which is also a program record for wins in a season. The team also combined to hit .322 (led by Brian Dexheimer who hit .439), On base percentage of .413 (led by Brian Dexheimer’s OBP of .570), Slugged .437 (led by Marshall Dalziel’s slugging of .672), and a total OPS of .850 (led by Austin RIdl’s OPS of 1.124). As the numbers show the team really hit the ball well this year. We also hit a record 45 doubles led by Austin Ridl and Marshall Dalziel who each hit 7. Brock Chenier showed off his wheels by hitting 3 of the teams 10 triples this season. This was also the season for the long ball, as a team we combined to hit 12 dingers. 8 guys touched them all this year but Marshall Dalziel and Austin RIdl led the way by hitting 3 a piece over the course of the season. The team swiped 82% (60-73) of the bases this year. Aaron Schwecke led the way with 24 stolen bases, which put his in sole possession of 2nd in the country. The offense was something that was always a plus for the team and something to build on for next year.
The pitching staff was something that that the team was hit or miss from time to time but they still had some quality games on the mound. The two top arms on the team were Geoff Fisher and Marshall Dalziel. Combined they went 9-3, 69.1 IP, 66 SO, and an ERA of 3.43. Geoff Fisherled the staff in with 5 wins and was consistently able to throw when the team needed him to throw. The team also had multiple arms to come in and throw strikes when the team needed them. The team relied on Erik Rosheim, Brady Geronime and Brock Chenier which hopefully they continue to grow and lead the team next year. Ben Smith and Geoff Fisher will look to lead the staff as the two returning starters. When those two lefty’s are on, it is nearly impossible to push runs across.
Thank you, seniors!
This past season was the last season for four seniors who are graduating and hopefully heading to bigger and better things. The first is Tim Belrose. Tim joined the team last season as a junior. Tim was a great role player who played multiple positions for the team and was always ready to hop in the game if someone went down. He finished his career with a .224 (15-67) Batting average, OBP of .398 and slugged .239. Tim was a rock solid fielder with a .953 fielding percentage in his two seasons. Tim was a great teammate that was always out trying to help the other guys and took advantage of the opportunities he was given. Tim will be missed deeply because of his hard work and effort.
Next we have Derek Plath, also known by “Swagger Goggles.” Derek was very essential in the first three years on the team. The past two seasons he has been plagued by injuries and running marathons. Derek hit .260 (13-50), OBP of .288 and slugged .340 with an OPS of .628. Derek also tossed 14.2 innings on the mound with an ERA of 3.34. He struck out 19 opponents. Derek also had a smooth fielding percentage of .944 in his time on the team. He made the team the same year Marshall did and were the only players left on the team that made the team from their first year. Derek will be missed as a lefty force on the mound and being the coolest kid in the NCBA.
Our third player is Austin RIdl. Austin joined us in his sophomore year, which we could have used during his freshmen year too. He was a solid hitter in the middle of the lineup and roamed left field with the best of them. Ridl hit .384 (63-164), had an OBP of .442, slugged .537 and an OPS of .979 in 47 games. His senior year was the best of his career. He hit .427 (35-82), OBP of .478, slugged .646 and an OPS of 1.124. That stat line included 7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 27 RBIs. He was also a pretty good pitcher this year as well. He tossed 40.1 career innings while going 2-3. He struck out 28 batters with a 4.51 ERA. Austin was not only recognized by his teammates for excellent play he was also recognized by the league as well. In his career he was named conference pitcher of the week twice, National Pitcher of the Week once and conference hitter of the week once. Austin ranks 1st in team history in At-Bats (164), Hits (63), RBIs (38), and tied for 1st in Doubles (14) and Homeruns (3). Austin will be greatly missed but hopefully we can fill his role on the team.
Finally we have Marshall Dalziel who spent four full years on the team. He also was the President this past season and tried to make sure things ran smoothly. In 45 career games at the plate he hit .331 (43-130), OBP .412, Slugged .538 and an OPS of .950. This past season was his best season hitting by far, hitting .391 (25-64), OBP .444, Slugged .672 and an OPS of 1.116. Career wise he had 14 doubles, 3 Homeruns and 35 RBIs. Marshall was used a lot on the mound over his career. He made 18 stars while totaling 81.1 innings on the mound. He went 6-4 with 93 strikeouts and a career ERA of 3.79. In the field he had a career .959 fielding percentage in 340 innings in the field. In team ranks he tied for 1st in Doubles (14), Homeruns (3) and HBP (7), but he leads the team with 44 strikeouts while hitting. Pitching wise he leads the team in Starts (18), Wins (6), Complete Games (4), Shutouts (2), Innings (81.1), Walks (67) and Strikeouts (93). Over the past two seasons he has transformed into a great two-way player, the team and league has recognized his efforts. He was named pitcher of the week 3 times and hitter of the week 1 time, he was also recognized last year by his teammates as the Most Improved player. Marshall will be tough to replace but there is a lot of talent on this team so it should not be too hard to fill.
The team had a very successful season and building a championship team, the competition is only getting better and the team is changing in the best ways. Multiple returners will be asked to keep up their hard work and new kids will be asked to step into bigger roles. We had an absolute blast this season playing at Siebert Field, in Florida over Spring Break, in Sheboygan for playoffs and most importantly all season leading the charge to a playoff berth. There is so much more this team can accomplish and we hope to continue the winning ways. Look out for these guys as they are on the rise and hopefully win a conference title next year.
AWARDS
Good Afternoon,
The six awards voted on by the players about their teammates:
Most Valuable Player
Marshall Dalziel – Marshall had his best season on the team this past year, what a way to go out right? At the plate Marshall hit .391 which was the fourth best on the squad, led the team in slugging .672, and tied for the lead in HR (3) and 2B (7). On the mound his numbers were not the best but still managed to have a good season. He went 4-2 and led the team in IP (36), K’s (36), and GS (8). With leading the team in innings he also had one of the best opponent batting average against. On being named MVP by his teammates – “It is really an honor to be voted MVP, last year I was voted Most Improved so I wanted to build off of that. This past season was my favorite season I have ever played and I’m glad I went out with a bang (Hitting a HR in his last at bat). It was an honor to rock the Maroon and Gold for four years and I hope the guys keep the tradition going. Just remember “Do Less and #RollGophs”.”
Cy Young
Geoff Fisher – Geoff was a newbie on the team this year but acted like a seasoned vet. Geoff transferred in from Century College and was nothing short of dominant this year. His posted a 5-1 record with a 2.54 ERA in 33.1 Innings on the mound. He was also the type of pitcher that would do just about anything for the win, against Ohio State in Florida he tossed over 130 pitches in a complete game where he popped a blister in the second inning and powered through the discomfort. Geoff will be looked upon to help the lead the pitching staff next year as the team looks to repeat as District Champions. If Geoff can keep his dominance on the mound the team will have a shot to win any game he pitches.
Silver Slugger
Austin Ridl – Ridl also went out with a bang this year, he hit .427 and slugged .646 which both were second on the team. He led the team in AB (82), Hits (35), and RBIs 27. He also tied for the team lead in 1B (24, 2b (7) and HR (3). On the mound he was also a great extra arm when the team needed someone to step up, he tossed 19 innings while going 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA. On being named the Silver Slugger “It is a great honor to be selected as the silver slugger on one of the best hitting teams out there. In the three years playing for this team I have seen great improvement and had the most exciting road trips. This award is a great way to finish off my club baseball career and I will continue hitting dingers and pounding brews in memory of you guys in the future.” Austin will be a guy the team misses for not only his bat in the middle of the order but he also was one of the team Taxis on road trips.
Rookie of the Year
Brady Geronime and Jason Leadley – This year the team had CO-ROY because these two guys really showed they could play and played a vital role in the team’s success form day one. Brady hit .333 in 60 at bats and an OBP of .494 which was third on the team. As the teams solidified two-hitter behind Schwecke he really helped set the tone of the game at the top of the order. Another thing that made Brady an easy addition to the lineup every game was his ability to play both infield and outfield. He became a great second basemen even though his natural position is shortstop and when Brock was out Brady slid into shortstop like he never moved across the base. On being voted Co-ROY “I'm pleased that everyone found my contributions to the team worthwhile and I look forward to continuing to do less in the future.” Brady and his Knuckleball will be looked upon to help get the team to the glory land again for years to come.
Leadley is the other winner of the ROY and he was just as good as Brady after have a slower fall portion of the schedule. He finished the season hitting .333 with an OBP of .400. His attempt to catch Schwecke in the stolen base category came just short finishing with 7 which put him third on the team. Leadley also finished with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 146.2 innings in the field. On being voted for Co-ROY “Club baseball Co-Rookie of the Year...Wow” Leadley will bring his chains and unbuttoned jersey back this coming year as an officer as well as batting in the nine-hole.
Hardest Working
Brian Dexheimer – Dex was easily the shortest DH in the NCBA but man did he pack a punch in that swing. Batting in the two or three hole all season Dex was one of the best hitters on the team. He led the team in Batting Average .439, OBP .570 and BB 22 in 90 plate appearances. His ability to see the ball made it especially hard for pitchers to strike him out, he had 6 strike outs all season. Dex had some arm problems this season which kept him in the DH spot a little more than the team wanted. In the field Dex was extremely valuable and always knew where he needed to be on each play. On being named the hardest worker “It’s an honor to receive this award, especially on the hardest working team in the NCBA. It was a great year, and I’m looking forward to next year.” The one quality that everyone appreciates about Dex is not his ability to hit but the bat flip he used when he got walked, easily the best bat flip in the league.
Most Improved
Aaron Schwecke – Schwecke had a great bounce back season from falling into the Sophomore slump. He solidified himself as one of the best leadoff hitters in the league. In the top spot in the order he hit .400 and an OBP of .488. Once he got on the bases he did what he did best, swipe bases. He swiped 24 bases this season and 22 of those came in NCBA games which was good for top 3 in the country. Only 5 of his 28 hits were extra base hits but getting on base is what he does best. With the power behind him in the order he was able to cross the plate for a team leading 28 times. Along with hitting slap singles he was also fourth on the team with 14 walks. Schwecke will have his hands full not only batting leadoff but he will also serve as the President of the Club Team. He has big shoes to fill but we have no doubt he will do a great job.
Below you will find all the league awards that guys won this past season, as you can see the team dominated the league awards and we hope that happens again next year.
LEAGUE AWARDS
Conference Pitcher of the Week – Geoff Fisher – Vs Lakehead, Ohio State, UW-Superior. Marshall Dalziel – Vs NDSU. Aaron Schwecke – Vs SDSU. Austin Ridl – Vs UW-Milwaukee (National Pitcher of the Week as well). Brock Chenier – Vs Winona State.
Conference Hitter of the Week – Aaron Schwecke – Vs UW-Superior, Spring Break Trip (6 games). Austin Ridl – Vs SDSU. Brian Dexheimer – Vs UND. Marshall Dalziel – Playoffs.
All-Americans
Second Team Outfield – Austin Ridl
Second Team Designated Hitter – Brian Dexheimer
~Staff~