Baseball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Area Baseball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
West High
Coach: Charlie Stumpff (30th season)
Assistant coaches: Jesse Searls, Jamie O’Meara
Last season: 22-15 (13-11 MVC)
Returning starters: Cade Adkins, Sr., P/C; Noah DeSaulniers, Sr., P/INF; Nathan Gudenkauf, Sr., OF; Nate Stephens, Sr., P/3B; Mitchel Frey, Jr., 1B; Ryne Vander Leest, Jr., 2B
Other returning letterwinners: Owen Aanestad, Sr., P/INF; Luke Fasse, Sr., P/C; Adam McLean, Sr., P; Caden Noeller, Sr., P; Aiden Van Iddekinge, Jr., P/INF; Carter Freidoff, Jr., OF; Ben Hoefer, Jr., P/SS
Newcomers to watch: Nate Anderson, Jr., P/INF; Jacob Baum, Jr., P/C; Jacob Koch, Soph., OF; Zach Logsdon, Soph., OF
Top returning hitters: Mitch Frey .327, 31 RBI; Nate Gudenkauf .308, 32 Runs
Top returning pitchers: Nathan Stephens 2-4, 6.67 ERA, 35 2/3 IP; Noah DeSaulniers 5-2, 5.81 ERA, 31 1/3 IP
Headliner: Junior Mitch Frey made splash in his first varsity season earn Mississippi Valley Conference all-division honors after hitting .327 and ranking second on the team with 31 RBI.
Frey had nine doubles and led the Trojans with 28 walks while posting a .471 on-base percentage and .413 slugging percentage.
Keep an eye on: Senior Noah DeSaulniers will be an important two-way piece of the puzzle for the Trojans this season both on the mound and in the batting lineup.
DeSaulniers hit .264 with four doubles and six RBI last season and ranked third on the team with 31 1/3 innings pitched.
After posting a 5-2 record and 5.81 ERA a year ago DeSaulniers will look to take on one of the top spots in the West High rotation.
Breakdown: West High lost its star in departed all-stater and current Iowa freshman Marcus Morgan but the Trojans return a strong list of players with varsity experience including six starters from a team that finished 22-15 a year ago.
Frey leads the list of returning starters along with seniors Cade Adkins (.240, 19 RBI), Nate Gudenkauf (.308, 32 runs), DeSaulniers and Nathan Stephens.
Junior Ryne Vander Leest (.220, 24 runs) also returns while seniors Owen Aanestad and Luke Fasse and junior Ben Hoefer will look to step into larger roles.
West High will be looking for pitchers to step to the front of the rotation after the graduation of Morgan starting with Stephens (2-4, 6.67 ERA) and DeSaulniers.
Adkins (2-1, 5.91 ERA, 21 1/3 IP), Caden Noeller (1-2, 3.68 ERA) and Fasse (3-0, 5.81 ERA) all return after throwing more than 15 innings last season.
City High
Coach: Brian Mitchell (11th season)
Assistant coaches: Bart Sueppel, Carter Lawler
Last season: 29-14 (23-7 MVC)
Returning starters: Cade Obermueller, Sr., P/OF; Gable Mitchell, Sr., SS; John Klosterman, Sr., C/P/OF; Carter Seaton, Sr., 2B; Alex Knudtson, Jr., P; Gavin Koch, Sr., 3B; Joey Bouska, C/OF; Ben Kueter, Jr., OF
Other returning letterwinners: Jay Kennedy, Sr., P; Jake Mitchell, Soph. P/OF; Jacob Williamson, Sr., 1B/DH; Grant Ernst, Sr., LF; Isaiah Svoboda, Sr., UTIL.; Cameron Lacina, Sr., OF/DH
Newcomers to watch: Cooper Drake, Jr., P; DJ Hodges, Jr., OF; Drew Carlson, Jr., UTIL; Austin Rindels, Jr., C; Drew Larson, Soph., INF
Top returning hitters: Carter Seaton .357, 27 RBI; Gable Mitchell .352, 41 Runs
Top returning pitchers: Gavin Koch 3-2, 1.81 ERA, 46 1/3 IP; Cade Obermueller, 4-1, 1.65 ERA, 29 2/3 IP
Headliner: Senior switch-hitting shortstop Gable Mitchell is a four-year starter, an Iowa commit and one of the top defensive infielders and all-around players in the state.
Mitchell earned all-state honors last season after hitting .352 and leading the Little Hawks in runs scored (41), stolen bases (32), walks (24) and ranking second on the team with 30 RBI.
Keep an eye on: Senior left-hander Cade Obermueller has been a staple of the City High rotation for the past two seasons but is set up for his best season yet.
An Iowa recruit, Obermueller was 4-1 with a 1.65 ERA last season striking out 36 in 29 2/3 innings of work.
Obermueller allowed just 11 hits in 29 1/3 innings and opponents hit just .110 against him last season.
Breakdown: After a state tournament trip in 2020 the Little Hawks came up a win shy of a return last season falling in the substate final at Ottumwa.
City High returns a lineup capable of producing a huge season and started the season ranked third in Class 4A in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings.
The lineup and rotation from last season’s 29-win team return nearly intact.
Led by Mitchell and seniors Carter Seaton (.357, 32 Run, 27 RBI) and Joey Bouska (.342, 26 Runs) there is run production at the top of the line.
Seniors John Klosterman (.319, 15 extra-base hits), Gavin Koch (.274, 32 RBI) and junior outfielder Ben Kueter (.333, 26 RBI) provide the middle of the order pop.
Look for Senior Jacob Williamson and junior Alex Knudtson to fit into the order this season as well.
Where City High really shines is on the mound and specifically with its depth.
Obermueller gives the Little Hawks a front of the rotation guy but five other players return that threw at least 30 innings last season.
Koch was brilliant last season posting a 3-2 record and 1.81 ERA in a team-high 46 1/3 innings while Knudtson went 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 40 2/3 innings as a sophomore.
Klosterman (4-2, 1.64 ERA) and Seaton (2-2, 2.48 ERA) provide depth while senior lefty Jay Kennedy (2-4, 5.31 ERA) has a big-time arm.
Liberty High
Coach: Tom Cronk (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Brent Kimm, Jacob Neilson, Uby Martinez
Last season: 24-13 (19-9 MVC)
Returning starters: Jack Funke, Sr.; Noah Kirk, Sr.; Hayden Vickroy, Sr.; Luke Meyers, Sr.; Ian Gates, Sr.; Boyd Skelley, Sr., P
Other returning letterwinners: Jack Turgasen, Sr.; Luke Bollier, Sr.; Jacob Turgasen, Sr.
Newcomers to watch: Luke Ramsey, Jr., OF; Jackson Tubbs, Jr., P; Mason Gardner, Jr., P/INF; Owen Norris, Jr., P/OF
Top returning hitters: Jack Funke .346, 13 2B, 27 RBI; Luke Meyers .333, 20 SB
Top returning pitchers: Boyd Skelley 6-1, 2.50 ERA, 36 1/3 IP; Hayden Vickroy, 3-1, 3.16 ERA, 31 IP
Headliner: Senior Boyd Skelley returns to lead the Liberty High rotation after a strong junior season in which he emerged as a solid number two option behind departed senior Ethan O’Donnell.
Skelley posted a 6-1 record and 2.50 ERA in 36 1/3 innings last season striking out 35 and walking 19.
Keep an eye on: Senior Jack Funke will be looked upon to provide the pop in the middle of the Liberty High lineup after a breakthrough junior season in which he led the Lightning in extra-base hits.
Funke hit .346 with a team-high 13 doubles last season and ranked second on the team with 27 RBI.
This season Funke will be looked upon as a key run producer in the middle of the Lightning order.
Breakdown: Liberty High continued its ascent as a program last season winning a school-record 24 games before falling in the opening round of the Class 4A postseason.
The Lightning have holes to fill but bring back a very strong nucleus to build around especially in the rotation as they attempt to reach new heights as a program.
Skelley and senior Hayden Vickroy (3.16 ERA, 31 IP) return to lead an experienced Lightning rotation along with seniors Noah Kirk (2-4, 7.00 ERA, 27 IP) and Jack Turgasen (1-1, 2.19 ERA, 22 1/3 IP).
Toss in returning seniors Luke Bollier (1-0, 3.18 ERA, 11 IP), Ian Gates (3-1, 3.28 ERA, 10 2/3 IP) and Jacob Turgasen (0-1, 1.62 ERA, 8 2/3 IP) and the Lightning have a deep list of arms.
Funke leads the list of returning starters in the field along with Kirk (.260, 18 RBI), Vickroy (.271, 10 RBI) and senior Luke Meyers (.333, 20 SB).
Gates started in the infield last season and hit .224 with 11 runs scored and Skelly also saw time in the lineup.
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: Nick Zumsande (3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Cam Armstrong, Nick Boeset, Mark Stern, Casey Ogden
Last season: 16-17 (12-12 WAMAC)
Returning starters: Ben Swails, Sr., 3B/P; Sam Young, Sr., SS/P; Parker Smith, Sr., 2B; Blaine Sotckman, Sr., RF; Jack Downes, Jr., C
Other returning letterwinners: Sterlin Roberson, Sr., RF; David Williams, Soph., 1B; Josh Loren, Jr., CF/P; Reece Hoffman, Jr., UTIL;
Top returning hitters: Sam Young .327, 21 RBI; Parker Smith .407, 9 2B
Top returning pitchers: Josh Loren 2.97 ERA, 41 K, 37 2/3 IP; Sam Young 3.09 ERA, 34 IP
Headliner: Already a three-year starter senior Parker Smith has been a stalwart in the Clipper infield since his freshman season.
An Augustana recruit, Smith is a career .344 hitter and is coming off a junior campaign in which he hit .407 with 10 extra-base hits in 59 at bats, scored 30 runs and led the Clippers with a .578 on-base percentage.
Keep an eye on: The Clippers get a big boost with the return of senior infielder Ben Swails who missed all of last season with an injury.
A starter since his eighth-grade season, Swails is a career .304 hitter that batted .368 with 23 RBI in his last full season in 2020.
Swails solidifies an already strong Clipper infield and brings pop to the middle of the lineup.
Breakdown: After reaching the state tournament in 2020 Clear Creek Amana finished a game below .500 in the second season under veteran coach Nick Zumsande but the Clippers should be in for a big step forward this season.
With eight starters returning the lineup is back essentially intact and the return of Swails is a major lift.
Smith, Swails and senior Sam Young who hit .327 and led the team with 31 runs scored offer a strong core in the field and in the lineup.
Junior Reece Hoffman hit .356 with 11 extra-base hits last season and senior Stirlen Roberson (.261, 25 RBI) and junior Jack Downes (.267, 31 RBI) also return after solid seasons.
Junior left-hander Josh Loren (2.97 ERA, 41 K, 37 2/3 IP) returns to lead the pitching staff along with Young and junior David Williams (3.16 ERA, 24 1/3 IP).
Solon
Coach: Keith McSweeney (23rd season)
Assistant coaches: Jim White, Tim Wheeler
Last season: 29-12 (20-4 WAMAC)
Returning starters: Kinnick Pusteoska, Sr., 1B; Blake Timmons, Jr., 2B/P; Brett White, Soph., SS/P; Gehrig Turner, Soph., C/P
Other returning letterwinners: Parker Pentico, Sr., P; Michael Pipolo, Sr., OF; Logan Gruchow, Sr., UTIL; Colin Werner, Sr., OF; Jacob Timmons, Sr., INF
Newcomers to watch: Austin Bell, Jr., UTIL; Vince Steinbrech, Soph., P
Top returning hitters: Blake Timmons .431, 59 Runs; Kinnick Pusteoska .404 6 HR, 51 RBI.
Top returning pitchers: Blake Timmons 5-2, 2.05 ERA, 44 1/3 IP; Parker Pentico 3-0, 3.15 ERA, 13 1/3 IP
Headliner: Junior Blake Timmons is a returning all-stater coming off the best season of his career.
Timmons hit .431 with 17 extra-base hits as a sophomore, leading the Spartans in runs scored with 59.
He also emerged as a solid option in the Solon rotation a year ago ranking second on the team with 44 1/3 innings pitched while posting a 5-2 record and 2.05 ERA with 51 strikeouts.
Keep an eye on: Last season with a big-time breakthrough for senior slugger Kinnick Pustesoka who hit a career-best .404 while leading the Spartans in home runs and slugging percentage.
The left-handed hitting first baseball finished with six home runs among 21 extra-base hits and drove in 51 runs while posting a .731 slugging percentage.
Breakdown: A year after falling a win short of a state tournament return with a loss to Cedar Rapids Xavier in the substate final the Spartans will look to reload for another run to Des Moines.
Solon opened the season ranked eighth in Class 3A in the Iowa High School Baseball coaches association rankings with four full-time starters returning from last year’s team that finished 29-12.
Led by Timmons, Pusteoska and sophomores Brett White (.356, 56 RBI) and Gehrig Turner (.323, 38 RBI) the Solon offense should be among the most potent in 3A.
The question will be the pitching staff where Timmons and senior Parker Pentico are the only players on the roster with varsity experience.
Regina
Coach: Steve Pacha (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Steven Christopherson, Larry Pohren, Alex Meister
Last season: 14-15 (10-8 RVC)
Returning starters: Cam Lehman, Sr., P/3B; Danny Gavin, Jr., OF; Christian Mills, Sr., 1B; Ethan von Harz, Sr., INF; Jack Tierney, Jr., P/INF; Jack Clark, Soph., C
Other returning letterwinners: Henry Bottorff, Jr., INF
Newcomers to watch: Connor Nicpon, Fr., P/UTIL
Top returning hitters: Danny Gavin .392, 14 RBI; Cameron Lehman .265, 18 RBI.
Top returning pitchers: Jack Tierney 1-1, 3.13 ERA, 15 2/3 IP; Cameron Lehman 1-1, 3.75 ERA, 9 1/3 IP.
Headliner: Junior center fielder Danny Gavin had a breakthrough season as a sophomore last summer when he hit a team-leading .392 and ranked second on the team with 14 RBI.
The left-handed hitting Gavin led Regina in hits (29), runs (23), doubles (3), walks (25), on-base percentage (.523) and slugging percentage (.432) while being named to the River Valley Conference South Division team.
Keep an eye on: Senior Cameron Lehman is coming off a solid junior season and will look to take a step forward as he becomes a key two-way player for the Regals as a senior.
Lehman hit .265 with a team-high 18 RBI last season and led Regina with five extra-base hits.
He also posted a 3.75 ERA and struck out six in 9 1/3 innings on the mound but will be looked on to be a much bigger factor in the Regina rotation this season.
Breakdown: Second-year head coach Steve Pacha returns six starters from last year’s team that went 14-15 but must rebuild a rotation that was hit hard by the graduation of 10 seniors.
Lehman and Garvin give Regina a solid nucleus to build the lineup around along.
Seniors Christian Mills, Ethan VonHarz, junior Jack Tierney (.205, 16 runs) and sophomore Jack Clark (.254, 10 RBI) all return with starting experience to bolster the lineup.
Where Regina must replace the most is in the rotation where the Regals graduated four players that all threw more than 27 innings a year ago.
Tierney and Lehman are the top candidates to take on larger roles in the rotation.
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