By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
The common perception this year might be that the Burlington High School baseball team might be in trouble.
The Demons, who finished 17-8 last year and lost in the regional final to Kenosha Tremper, graduated seven seniors – all of whom were starters – from last year’s team. But in spite of those losses, head coach Scott Staude is optimistic about his 2012 squad.
“I think we’re young,” conceded Staude. “We have six seniors that had a little bit of playing time, but haven’t been very battle-tested yet at the varsity level.
“(But) I like our team. I think we actually set up pretty well as far as our pitching,” he added. “Our lineup is tarting to solidify a little bit.
“I like our guys. They’re very young, very raw, but very coachable.”
The Demons do have six seniors, three of which were big contributors as juniors. Zach Borkowski, an outfielder, is one of the team’s leading returning hitters, while Trent Taylor will resume his starting position at shortstop.
In addition, Luke Syens returns as a starting pitcher. Fellow seniors Austin Smith and Jack Simenson will join him in the pitching rotation, with Simenson playing in the infield and Smith the outfield when they don’t pitch.
Borkowski, Syens and Borkowski will serve as captains for the team.
Right now, the Demons are trying two different sophomores at third base, with Mark Wallace and Candler Meseberg alternating. Junior Nolan Friend is at first when he isn’t pitching, while fellow junior Nick Bartlett is starting at second.
Nate Gilanyi, another senior, will be the team’s catcher.
The outfield is shaping up to see Borkowski in left, junior Nate Fischer in center and Syens in right field when not pitching.
BHS’s pitching lineup is young – the team lost 75 percent of its innings from last year – but deep, with Syens, Friend, Smith, Simenson, Bartlett, Fischer and Wallace all looking at playing time.
“We have a lot of pitching depth,” Staude said. “Our weakness is a lack of pitching at the varsity level.”
Staude expects Waterford to be a strong contender in the Southern Lakes Conference again, as well as Union Grove – last year’s SLC champion.
“And you can’t forget Wilmot, because of their strong tradition,” he added.
BHS has opened its season with a 3-1 record, losing its opener to Racine Park 9-5 at home March 27, but then winning three straight.
The Demons swept a doubleheader at UW-Whitewater, beating Marinette 9-3 and Jefferson 8-3. Borkowski was 2-for-4 in both games, with a combined four RBI.
On Monday, BHS defeated Racine Case, 11-1.
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