By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
When a high school baseball team loses it top two starters, and one was the All-Area Player of the Year, things have the potential to go south in a hurry.
But don’t tell that to Burlington baseball coach Scott Staude.
The always-optimistic, zest-filled skipper, now in his 17th season, understands the constant change at this level and really isn’t worried about it.
While it won’t be easy to replace All-Area Player of the Year Mark Wallace and No. 2 starter Houston Cowan, a sophomore who decided not to play this season because of an injury, the Demons have already shown flashes that everything will be alright on the hill.
In three games this season, two of which came in Louisville during the school’s Spring Break last week, Burlington proved that its perceived pitching deficiency is simply a way for more arms to join the conversation.
Though the Demons have started 1-2, one loss came to Kentucky’s defending state champion, Pleasant Ridge Park, and the other was at the hands of conference rival Wilmot, which advanced to the WIAA state tournament last year and is loaded again.
Burlington spent Spring Break last week playing in a tournament in Louisville, Ky. The Demons smacked 10 hits in a 5-4 win over Desales, then fell, 6-3, to the defending state champs the next day.
In that game, junior Aaron Mutter had a quality start with one earned run allowed in four innings and added two hits.
Junior Tanner Strommen also added two hits. Six different Demons tallied base hits.
Wilmot 2, Burlington 0
On Tuesday night, Wilmot rode the dazzling arm of lefty Alec Haluzak to a 2-0 shutout of the Demons.
The Panthers tallied runs in the third and sixth innings off Burlington pitchers Jacob Lindemann and Bryan Sturtevant, who tossed seven strong innings and only yielded four hits.
Lindemann started and went five strong, striking out 10 with two hits, a run and two walks.
The 6-foot-4 sophomore is already garnering interest from the college level thanks to a fastball in the mid-80s.
“Jacob has a nice frame and is a hard thrower,” Staude said. “He can reach speeds of 86, which is fast for a sophomore. Lots of colleges are looking at him.”
Sturtevant relieved him in the sixth, but a mistake was hit over the right fielder’s head and plated a Panther all the way from first.
Troy Hickey’s triple gave Wilmot its final cushion.
Burlington didn’t go away quietly, as Strommen’s single between shortstop and third base put runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the seventh.
Cal Tully fouled off a couple pitches, including a line drive that landed just inches short of the left-field line. Had it stayed in play, it would’ve tied the game.
But Tully struck out swinging with a 2-2 count, and Haluzak’s masterpiece was complete.
The fire-baller had command of a devastating curveball, backdoor slider and a fast, moving fastball.
“Alec is one of the top pitchers in the SLC,” Burlington coach Scott Staude said. “He could throw his fastball and curve for strikes any time he wanted. We had some opportunities, but we couldn’t get the big hits with runners in scoring position.”
Staude added that eight of Haluzak’s 14 strikeouts caught the Demons looking.
But Burlington threatened several times and finished with seven hits.
On the young season, Lindemann has allowed two earned runs in seven innings and struck out 12.
Meet the Demons
Lindemann could be emerging as the staff ace, but Sturtevant, Tully, Mutter, Zach Campbell and Dane Helnore have all seen time on the mound.
“It will be a pitch-by-committee this year,” Staude said. “We have a very deep staff. We are still finding out who will emerge as our top starters.”
Staude said Lindemann, Bryan Sturtevant, Cal Tully, Mutter and Baker will be starting pitchers this season.
Helnore is the team’s leading returning hitter with a .378 average in 2014. He was named to the All-Area first team and all-conference squad. Helnore returns to the hot corner of third base.
Strommen, who was an honorable mention All-Area pick last season, will play shortstop.
Mutter, who hit .384 last season at first base and earned All-Area first team honors, will provide power in the cleanup spot.
Also returning are Luke Gannon, Cal Tully, James Tully, Mitch Klug and Evan Schlitz.
Tully will start at second base when he isn’t pitching. The tandem of Tully and Strommen won’t let many ground balls find the outfield with their quickness.
Campbell, Eric Behnke and Aaron Sturtevant are new to varsity and should play key roles.
Campbell and Behnke both started in the outfield Tuesday night.
Burlington’s home opener Thursday against Wilmot was postponed due to rain.
Overall, Staude said this club is an athletic team with a high baseball I.Q.
“There are so many unknowns still,” he said. “We have inexperience at different positions, but they are quick learners. Our team defense is our biggest strength.”
Staude said the Demons must still find consistent hitting with consistent lineups.
Wilmot, Waterford and Westosha Central figure to be Burlington’s toughest competition in the Southern Lakes.
But despite inexperience on the mound and in the field, Staude said this team will be right there again.
Burlington finished 16-9 and in second place last season.
“Competing for the SLC title is a realistic goal,” he said. “We want to be there challenging the top teams all season.”
Early returns
In only three games, Burlington’s makeshift staff has only allowed eight earned runs in 21 innings.
At the plate, Strommen leads the team with a .600 average, followed by Helnore (.545), Mutter (.400) and Behnke (.375).
Luke Gannon, who missed last season with a knee injury, is back and hitting .333.
Schedule
(home games in CAPS)
April – 11: vs. Racine Horlick at Rock Sports Complex. 14: WESTOSHA CENTRAL. 16: at Westosha Central. 17: Kenosha Tremper at UW-Whitewater. 20: RACINE CASE. 21: at Delavan-Darien. 23: DELAVAN-DARIEN. 24-25: Racine County Showcase. 28: LAKE GENEVA BADGER. 30: at Badger. May – 4: at Kenosha Bradford. 5: at Union Grove. 7: UNION GROVE. 11: INDIAN TRAIL. 12: at Elkhorn. 14: ELKHORN. 19: WATERFORD. 21: at Waterford. 23: Doubleheader at Whitefish Bay. 28: at Arrowhead.
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