By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Union Grove High School baseball team stands a good chance to be better this season than it was last year.
And last year went well for the Broncos.
Union Grove finished 17-10 overall and 11-3 in the Southern Lakes Conference. The Broncos and Lake Geneva Badger tied for the conference title.
Union Grove’s season ended May 30 with a 4-3 loss to Wilmot in a WIAA Division 1 regional final game at home.
The Broncos lost only three players to graduation, and expectations are high.
“The biggest issue is going to be adding the pitching depth back,” coach Mike Arendt said. “We lost two of our top innings guys from last year.”
Ben Miller is expected to be one of the Broncos’ top pitchers this season. Sam Schaefer, Matt Moore and Connor Fedders are also going to pitch. All three pitched last season.
Matt Cooper, Zac Melendrez and Grant Beck are expected to provide a boost on offense. Beck will play in the outfield, Cooper at first base and Melendrez will play at second base and also at designated hitter.
Mason Rodriguez is back in the outfield. Zach Burowksi, Jake Knight and Justin DeLong will split the catching duties, according to Arendt. Cody Walters is expected to be strong offensively.
“We’re going to relay on pitching and defense, the same as we did last year,” Arendt said. “We’re going to need to find a consistent offense in order for us to keep building and improve on what we did last year.”
Arendt said he wants to see the Broncos improve on offense this season by taking better at bats, working the count and being more disciplined.
“I that will come,” Arendt said. “It’s just a matter of finding out who we need to be offensively, more than anything.”
Arendt said the expectation for the Broncos is to improve on last season’s strong showing
“We like to think we’re going to be in the mix for a conference championship again,” Arendt said. “Obviously, that’s one of our goals.”
Arendt said the SLC is, from top to bottom, competitively balanced, and added that the key to success is relatively simple.
“It’s saying, day in and day out, you’re going to have to show up and play our best game to win some games,” Arendt said. “There’s a lot of quality, and a lot of talented teams out there.”
Miller, Schimanski combine for no-hitter
The Broncos opened up the 2014 campaign with a convincing home victory.
Miller and Nate Schimanski combined for a no-hitter in a five-inning, 12-0 romp over Shoreland Lutheran.
Sam Schaefer knocked a grand slam in the Grove’s six-run second inning.
Cooper and Melendrez each added two hits at the plate.
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