Start of a season, end of an era

Senske enters final season with New Ulm, Eagles soar into 2003 with questions, high expectations

BY JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Last year, the New Ulm Eagle baseball team earned the title of a "Team of Destiny" as it came back from the brink of elimination against Hutchinson on a dropped fly ball -- the potential season ending out for the Eagles -- to capture the Class 3A title.

This year's team will have two things on their mind -- defending that title and knowing that this is the final season for Jim Senske as head coach.

After 40 seasons, Senske has decided that this will be his final season directing traffic at third base.

The Eagles, who finished 23-7, will return 11 players who were on the team at one time or another last year. Big players back are pitcher Bob Wellmann, outfielders Eric Austvold and Keith McClellan along with starting catcher Blake Thorson.

"We do have a lot of holes to fill starting at shortstop where we need to replace Jamie Hoffmann," Senske said. "In fact, we lost the entire infield with the exception of our catcher, so we have to come up with replacements in those spots and that will be tough to do both defensively and offensively. We lost a pretty potent offense from last year."

Kyle Marti will battle Joe Peters for the first base spot. Nate Carroll, who was the back-up on the varsity last year, will get first crack at second. Derik Johnson and Levi Stugelmeyer will also vie for time there.

Replacing Jamie Hoffmann at shortstop will be Peter Meier, who saw extensive playing time last year when Hoffmann was forced into pitching, with Tim Fischer and Mikale Gustafson also looking for playing time at shortstop.

Senske said that third base will be filled by one of three players. Derik Johnson and two pitchers in Bob Wellman and Tyson Anderson will fill that spot when not on the mound.

"They both have played there on their way up through the program," Senske said.

Austvold and McClellan will patrol the outfield with Matt Suess, who saw extensive playing time last year, also in the hunt for a starting spot along with Brett Burgau.

"We have a strong player coming off of the "B" squad in Josh Thorson who will be fighting for a starting spot," commented Senske.

"Our big concern is that you always build a successful team around pitching and defense," Senske said. "Pitching -- wise, we will be okay for a big game when Wellmann throws. He is a proven winner and has done well for us in the past two years. But we lost two big pitchers in Chris Cariveau and Dusty Fleck and apparent replacements to those two are Tyson Anderson, Dusty Farasyn and Joe Peters. We have some kids coming off the "B" squad and freshman team in Nick Breu, Zack Barrett and Tony Mielke."

Peters, Breu and Mielke are all left-handed.

Players looking for action in the infield are Jon Koeckeritz and Tim Fischer.

Senske looks for the South Central Conference to be wide open this year.

"Waseca will be better," he said. "St. James and St . Peter will be tough and I think that we will be in the hunt for the title," he said.

In the section, Senske tabs Mankato West along with Chaska, Prior Lake and Willmar as the favorites along with New Ulm.

"We have a tough schedule," he said. "We only play 10 (SCC) games this year and then we play seven metro schools. They are not weak sisters in the Metro and we open (at home April 5) against Minnetonka, which is the top-ranked team in Class 3A)."