By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON-The Jaguars boys baseball team is starting their season just like the Milwaukee Brewers do every year…in warmer weather!
The team is coming off a 10-14 (9-9 FRCC) overall season in which there were many ups and downs.
After an 0-4 start, the Jaguars ripped off eight of the next twelve (wins over De Pere and Bay Port), but then lost six of their last eight to close the season.
The Jaguars gave up 48 runs in their first four games of 2017 and then just over 70 in their final 20 games.
“I want the guys to get acclimated outside right from the get go,” said Jay Krueger, Jaguars Baseball Coach. “We started very slow last year and then settled down after that. We had some good wins and were within a few runs of finishing in the top three of the conference. We have a very strong junior class coming in along with 15 seniors and they should all be ready from the get go. Our fielding should be much better in 2018. The trip to South Carolina gets the team together miles from home. It gives the opportunity for the new faces to meet the upperclassmen.”
Optimism is high in 2018 with Michael Rottier and Logan Blazek returning on the mound and Will Adair who batted .283 last year with four homers.
As Juniors, Rottier appeared in nine games with an ERA of 1.81, while Blazek allowed only 16 runs with a 2.33 ERA.
Both pitchers will be counted on in multiple game situations.
“I’m excited for the season to begin,” said Jaguars pitcher Blazek. “We have a lot of pieces in place this season to finish well. We have been working hard in practice and that in turn will carry over to the start of the season, into conference, and finally into post season where its win or go home.”
Besides, Adair multiple players return that hit over .230 and depth will be a definite advantage for the Jaguars in the hitting line-up.
“On any given night, one of our players on our current roster could get the go ahead hit, stolen base, or run to put us into the victory column,” Krueger commented. “Everybody has to stay the course in practice and games. You have to be able to handle both success and adversity along the way.”
2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguars Boys Baseball Roster (As of Mar. 27)
Will Adair, Will Baeten, Griffin Baierl, Seth Bertrand, Logan Blazek, Joseph Carlson, Jeremy Cox, Alex Dill, Alex Hager, Luke Hansford, Zach Huguet, Ian MacLean, Spencer Nenahlo, Caleb Opperman, Michael Rottier, Sawyer Schultz, Collin Secor, Riley Siudzinski, Zach Smet, Ashton Steinike, Karch VanDalen, Ben Wendorf, Brady Wittig, and Evan Wood
2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguars Boys Baseball Schedule (All Home Games at Ashwaubomay Memorial River Park)
Mar. 29 vs Chardron at Myrtle Beach 11:00 a.m.
April 5 at Bay Port 4:30 p.m.
April 7 vs Fond Du Lac (Doubleheader) 11:00 a.m.
April 10 vs Sheboygan North 4:30 p.m.
April 12 at Notre Dame 4:30 p.m.
April 13 vs Green Bay Southwest 4:30 p.m.
April 16 at De Pere 4:30 p.m.
April 19 vs Pulaski 4:30 p.m.
April 20 at Sheboygan South 4:30 p.m.
April 24 vs Manitowoc Lincoln 4:30 p.m.
April 26 at Green Bay Preble 4:30 p.m.
April 27 at Hortonville 4:30 p.m.
May 1 vs Bay Port 4:30 p.m.
May 3 at Sheboygan North 4:30 p.m.
May 4 vs Notre Dame 4:30 p.m.
May 7 at Green Bay Southwest 4:30 p.m.
May 10 vs De Pere 4:30 p.m.
May 15 vs Sheboygan South 4:30 p.m.
May 17 at Manitowoc Lincoln 4:30 p.m.
May 18 vs Green Bay Preble 4:30 p.m.
May 19 vs Escanaba (Doubleheader) 11:00 a.m.
May 22 at Pulaski 4:30 p.m.
May 24 vs West De Pere 4:30 p.m.
May 29, 31 (TBD) WIAA Regionals 4:30 p.m.
June 5 (TBD) WIAA Sectionals 4:30 p.m.
June 12 at Fox Cities Stadium (Appleton) WIAA State Tournament (TBD)
