By Greg Bates
Correspondent
OSHKOSH – It was a precarious situation that Jett Thielke had faced in the past.
But this time, it was a little different.
This jam was far more difficult with some of the state’s top hitters looming in the lineup.
The 2019 Bay Port graduate didn’t sweat it.
With one out in the sixth inning in a Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) all-star game, the North squad pitcher walked three straight hitters to load the bases.
After a quick mound visiting from a teammate, Thielke settled down and found the plate.
He struck out back-to-back hitters to get out of the jam to preserve a 7-4 lead against the West.
The North held on to win by that identical score, as Thielke earned the victory at E.J. Schneider Field June 29.
“Jett had a solid game,” said one of the North coaches, John Berns from Sturgeon Bay. “He had one little hiccup with the three walks in a row, and we got out of it with no damage. He’s a fine young man and a good pitcher.”
It was certainly a defining moment in Thielke’s appearance in the WBCA all-star event, which featured the best seniors in the state and spanned three games in two days.
“It was amazing competing with the best in the state,” Thielke said. “Being asked, it’s just an honor to be a part of.”
Thielke was the first Bay Port player to take part in the annual all-star series since Connor Hock and Joe Baier both played in 2015.
“It definitely meant a lot to be nominated,” said Thielke, who was a three-year starter for the Pirates. “To go through this experience was really special.”
Thielke was able to pitch four innings in the second game of the all-star event and struck out eight hitters.
He mixed his fastball (which topped out at 87 mph during the high school season), changeup and slider.
“He’s very solid and has a live arm,” Berns said. “He’s got a great fastball when he keeps it down. He’s really tough.”
During the Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC) season, Thielke was lights out.
He had a 5-2 record with a conference-leading 0.17 earned run average while being named co-FRCC player of the year.
Facing players in an all-star setting is quite different.
There are no easy outs at the end of the batting lineup.
“My slider is usually pretty good, and it was good today, Thielke said. “Even if you hang it a little bit, they’re going to put a bat on it and get a base hit.”
Thielke also had a strong game at the plate.
He singled, was hit by a pitch and scored a run in his team’s victory.
During his career, when Thielke wasn’t pitching, the 6-foot-6 righty played shortstop.
However, for the first time in his career, Thielke played at first.
“We didn’t know that,” Berns said. “But he’s a big, tall guy and we had all the other slots pretty much filled with what we wanted to do.”
Thielke excelled at his new position, playing error-free ball in the two games he played there.
“That was a little different,” he said. “I liked it over there – it was pretty fun.”
The set of all-star games marked the final time Thielke will compete at the high school level.
In the fall, he will head to junior college baseball powerhouse Madison College.
Thielke is excited to learn under longtime WolfPack coach Mike Davenport.
Madison College has made nine Division II World Series appearances, including the last two seasons.
“I think it’s a great spot for Jett to be,” Berns said. “I know they’ve got a legendary coach who’s been there for a long time. He’ll get some good training there.”
While at Madison College, Thielke has been told by the coaching staff that he won’t be hitting at the next level.
“I definitely like it better,” Thielke said. “High school season I had to hit and pitch, and that’s kind of a lot – focusing on hitting and pitching in the same game. So, it’s nice to go there and focus on pitching.”