By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
When it came down to crunch time this year for the Burlington High School baseball team, coach Scott Staude knew who he would hand the ball to – senior Austin Smith.
The result was a pair of playoff gems, a 1-0 win over Racine Horlick in the regional final and a 2-1 win in extra innings over Kenosha Tremper in the sectional semifinal.
While BHS lost 5-4 to Kenosha Bradford in the sectional final, Staude couldn’t find fault after the game – and certainly can’t criticize Smith.
“Austin was the most consistent player all year for us,” Staude said. “His playoff performance this year was the best I have seen in my 14 years of coaching.”
For that, Smith is the Southern Lakes Newspapers 2012 All-Area Player of the Year.
Smith was a first-team All-Southern Lakes Conference pick, finishing with a 7-3 overall record on the mound. He had a 1.33 ERA, struck out 61 batters and walked just 11.
More importantly, Smith had the ability to take control of the game and put the team on his shoulders.
“You just had a feeling he was not going to let us lose that game,” Staude said about the sectional semifinal against Tremper. “Every time Austin took the mound, we knew we had a very good chance to win.”
Smith also batted .383 on the season, notable in that he did not bat when he pitched.
Here are capsules on the complete All-Area team:
Pitchers (2)
Austin Smith, Burlington High School.
Rayce Wadsworth, Catholic Central High School: Wadsworth was the No. 1 pitcher for the Hilltoppers this year, going 6-3 with 54 strikeouts and 48 walks. He also played shortstop when he wasn’t on the mound.
“Rayce was probably the smoothest shortstop we’ve had at CCHS in many years,” said CCHS coach Tom O’Connell. “He also functioned as our best pitcher, winning some big games for us.”
Wadsworth also led CCHS in hitting with a .378 average.
Catcher (1)
Brad Jacob, Union Grove Union High School: Jacob earned MVP honors for the Broncos, batting .400 but also having a great year behind the mound as catcher.
Jacob caught 63 percent of the runners who tried stealing on the Broncos.
“He lead the team in all offensive categories and really had a phenomenal year,” said UG coach Michael Arendt. “He did a fantastic job defensively behind the plate and called all of the pitches. He was our leader on and off the field and will be missed.”
Infield (4)
Chandler Meseberg, Burlington High School: Just a sophomore, Meseberg stepped in a big way for the Demons this year, hitting .323 with a .400 on-base percentage. He finished the year with 30 hits, had 22 RBI and scored 16 runs – plus stole 11 bases.
“(He) hit in the middle of the lineup all year,” said Staude. “Great power with his size, quick bat and explosive.”
Adam Filz, Union Grove Union High School: As the leadoff hitter for UG, Filz had a .383 batting average and a .508 on-base percentage.
“He did a fantastic job and exactly what we ask for from the leadoff position, which is get on base,” said Arendt. “He has great speed and excellent range in the field.”
Trent Taylor, Burlington High School: One of several seniors with experience in the BHS lineup, Taylor started at shortstop for the second straight year.
“Very good defense, smooth hands and great feet,” said Staude. “(He) was our igniter this year. When he played well, so did we.”
Taylor batted .329 for the season, scoring 24 runs and recording 12 steals.
Nolan Friend, Burlington High School: Friend proved a solid contributor at both first base and a pitcher this year, batting .301 on the season and picking up 15 RBI.
“(He) plays a nice first base for us,” said Staude, who will be happy to have Friend back next year. “(He) will be one of our top pitchers and hitters next year.”
Outfield (3)
Luke Syens, Burlington High School: Syens was selected at the Player of the Year in the Southern Lakes Conference after batting .453 for the season, posting a .573 on-base percentage and generally dominating the BHS hitting statistics.
Syens also had 15 stolen bases, 39 hits, 24 RBI and 26 runs scored.
“Explosive player with great speed and power,” said Staude. “(He) did not make an error in center field all year.”
Tanner Hunsucker, Waterford Union High School: Statistics and comments on Hunsucker were unavailable by press deadline.
He was a first-team All-Southern Lakes Conference pick this year as a senior.
Zack Borkowski, Burlington High School: Borkowski’s “great eye at the plate,” according to Staude, led to a .405 batting average with nine doubles, 20 RBI and 25 runs scored.
“Very good hitter to the gap,” said Staude. “He rarely chases bad pitches.”
Utility (1)
T.J. Walkington, Catholic Central High School: Walkington’s ability on the baseball field was impressive – he batted .324 for the season and played a solid center field for the Hilltoppers – but it was his leadership and maturity that also impressed O’Connell.
“His maturity was so important this year because we had such a young team,” Connell said.
Matt Wolff, Union Grove Union High School: Wolff proved to be a solid player for the Broncos, batting .333 but also turned out to be a good leader.
“Matt evolved this year into another leader for us,” said Arendt. “He is a great kid and was a real pleasure to coach this year.”
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