By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
PULASKI – Pulaski’s Chase Reinke was a member of the baseball and football teams during his time in high school.
He said his most embarrassing moment happened on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018.
“We were playing Bay Port in football, and receiver Cody Lindquist made a ridiculous catch over me,” said Chase, who is the son of Sarah Pagza and Jed Reinke. “It went viral on Twitter and ESPN picked it up. The catch was featured on ‘You Got Mossed,’ which shows receivers making amazing catches over defenders.”
He said his most memorable moment occurred six weeks later.
“During a Level 2 playoff game against River Falls, I had the game-winning interception,” said Reinke, who described himself as confident, a leader and competitive. “It sealed the game for us.”
Although he had a solid football career at Pulaski, Reinke will be heading to Western Technical College in La Crosse this fall to play baseball and study heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC).
“I’m not the fastest pitcher, but I hit my spots,” he said. “During last season, I was throwing in the upper 70s and would have been around 80 mph this year. I also throw a curveball and a change, which is my best pitch.”
Reinke said he’s disappointed the spring season and Legion got canceled this summer.
“We have some talented underclassmen,” he said. “I believe we would have had a good season and made some noise.”
Reinke played parts of three seasons for head coach Dennis Bogacz.
“I enjoyed playing for coach,” he said. “When I was a sophomore pulled up to the varsity, I had a small attitude problem. I was an emotional player, and some of my coaches didn’t like it, but Dennis backed me up. I’ve always respected him and every other coach. He pushed me to be a better player, play for my team and become a leader.”
He has two older brothers and one younger, and both of his parents grew up in Bonduel.
Reinke said his entire family is into sports.
“My brothers and dad are all into baseball, football and basketball,” he said. “My mom played softball, volleyball and basketball in high school. I wish I could have played basketball – and I thought about it – but it was tough to play three sports. Baseball workouts started in the winter, and it would have interfered.”
Reinke said Bay Port’s Jake Berg was his toughest out on the diamond.
“Since I’m a lefty, I struggle with left-handed batters,” he said. “I remember one game against Jake, I hit my spots and he still rocketed them – it was unreal. He went 3-for-3 with a home run.”
His hobbies include fishing with his grandparents, hunting with his dad, hanging out with friends and playing catch with his younger brother.
Reinke also likes Major League Baseball pitcher Josh Hader, the Milwaukee Brewers, basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, salmon, Snapchat and blue goo ice cream.