By Bud Milroy
Sports Correspondent
The Toppers were three outs away from a trip to state in 2013 when they dropped the sectional final 8-7 to eventual state runner-up Lake Country Lutheran.
With 100 percent of their pitching back from last year, the Toppers look to pick up where they left off and build on their late-season success.
“I’m very optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Head Coach Tom O’Connell. “We gained some valuable experience last year, and I think it will pay off.”
Pitching should be the Toppers’ strength.
“For the first time in my 45 years of coaching I believe I have four ‘real’ pitchers, not just throwers,” said O’Connell.
The staff will be led by junior Kross Krueger, an all-conference performer as a sophomore, and he’ll be joined by classmates Austin Hayes and Cal Sanfelippo as they form the likely starting rotation.
Senior Tegan Miles, another all-conference selection, will likely work as a closer for the Toppers.
Rounding out the staff will be juniors Nick Seib and Alec Wegge.
The Toppers’ leading hitter returns in catcher Nolan Girard. Girard hit .394 as a sophomore and drove in 20 runs, earning all-conference status.
An experienced signal caller for Catholic Central, he will again play a big part in the Toppers’ success on the mound.
The outfield has a nice blend of speed and sure hands. Senior Aaron Sobbe will likely hold down right field, while sophomore Ben Heiligenthal returns to left field, where he is expected to build on his varsity experience in 2014.
Another sophomore who came on strong toward the end of last season, Jacob Webley, is in the hunt for the center field position.
Miles, who played most of
Last season in the outfield, may see time there as well but will likely start out filling the hole at first base.
The middle infield spots are the most highly-contested positions on the squad. Senior Jake Surges hopes to bounce back from an injury-riddled 2013 season and handle the chores at second base.
Fellow senior Bailey Wright returns to the baseball diamond and is competing for time at shortstop along with Krueger. Versatile junior Jobe Wagner is pushing for time at either position.
Miles and Seib will battle for first base.
At third base, Hayes, Wegge and senior Dylan Piccolo are pushing one another for playing time.
Underclassmen that will likely contribute significantly as the season wears on are sophomores Owen Dirksmeyer, Cole Kresken and Brandon Vandehei, as well as freshmen Austin Neuhaus and Connor Wegge.
The Toppers again will spend the regular season competing against larger, talented squads with an eye on preparing for the postseason. The Metro Classic Conference is loaded again with St. Catherine’s, behind the strong arm of Derek Heffel, the favorite to repeat as conference champions.
St. Thomas More returns everyone from a solid 2013 squad, and St. Joe’s will be strong with the state’s top junior player in catcher Pete Schuler.
Catholic Central opened the season with a 10-3 loss at home Tuesday to nonconference foe Big Foot.
After falling behind 9-0, Seib cleared the bases with a hit in the bottom of the sixth for Central’s only runs.
The Toppers return to action Friday afternoon against Milwaukee Riverside before heading to Elgin, Ill., Saturday for a doubleheader.
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