Greyhounds' look to build off last year's success

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Bob Weier begins his 10th season at the helm of the Hounds, posting a 15-8 overall mark and an 11-5 record in the Tomahawk Conference last year, good enough for second place.

"We have seven returning letterwinners from last year in Brandon Goblirsch, Kyle Helget, John Knisley, Corey Schnobrich and Jacob Mertz," Weier said.

Coming up from the "B" squaders and probably manning the catching spot is Adam Prochniak. "He will catch and also do some pitching," Weier said. "Other than that, we have junior Jacob Schloman, an outfielder -- and about five other players to fill varsity spots."'

Among those are Cody Fox, a pitcher/outfielder who is a sophomore, Andy Boyle is "an outfielder who does some pitching. He is also a sophomore."

Another sophomore, Eric Portner, "plays the outfield and also a couple of freshmen, Adam Neubauer a pitcher and Scott Knisley, who pitches and also plays shortstop "but might also play some outfield."

"Tony Moldan, a senior who would have been a starting outfielder for us, will not play because he tore his ACL during basketball so his career is over," Weier said.

"We will need to fill two holes now in the outfield with Tony gone and when Jacob Mertz pitches."

Weier said that Brandon Goblirsch will have first chance at firstbase "He is a senior -- he has a year of experience. Corey Schnobrich, who played secondbase last year when Dusty Wilfahrt was pitching, will be there again."

When Wilfahrt is not pitching, he will be the Greyhound's shortstop. "But when he does pitch, we are still looking to fill that void. There will be a number of candidates: Freshman Scott Knisley, Kyle Helget a senior or a sophomore in Dusty Hillesheim. Right now, Hillesheim is on the "B" team, but we will take a look at him for a couple of days at practice with the varsity."

At third base, Weier penciled in Kyle Helget and possibly John Knisley. "We have some plans on putting Kyle behind the plate once in a while to relieve the pressure on Adam Prochniak -- it is nice to have two quality and experienced catchers."

Incumbent Mitch Palmer will play left field. "He had a nice sophomore season last year." Weier said.

Center field will be patrolled by Jacob Mertz when he is not pitching, and right field "is open right now. We are having some competition between Andy Boyle, Adam Neubauer, Jacob Schloman and Cody Fox along with Eric Portner. "I don't know if that is Eric's positionm but we will look at him there. When Jacob does pitch, Portner or Neubauer may play there."

Weier said that his pitching staff "will be our strength on paper this year. We have Jacob Mertz, Dusty Wilfahrt, who led the staff in innings pitched and John Knisley who had a nice junior year last year. He got some pitching experience last year. We have Prochniak up from the "B" team -- he will help us. Other than that, it will be an inning here and there with freshman Scott Knisley, Adam Neubauer, sophomore Andy Boyle and Cody Fox. We have some numbers we just need to find out who can do what. Our defense is good and our team speed is good."

Weier said that the biggest question-mark will be the team hitting. "We have some kids who can hit but what we are looking for is to extend our line-up so we have good hitters one through nine."'

"I see the Tomahawk Conference as well-balanced with Sleepy Eye St. Mary;s and Sleepy Eye Public -- they will also be strong and Wabasso has some good athletes."

Cathedral opens their season April 9, at home against Mankato Loyola at 4 p.m. at Mueller Park.