Eagles should fly

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm High baseball coach Jim Senske returns for his 37th season, with nine returning players from last year's 20-5 squad.

Back are outfielder Travis Boddy, catcher/infielder Rob Geistfeld, catcher/infielder Marty Schimmele, outfielder Matt Schmidt, pitcher/infielder Craig Spelbrink, pitcher/outfielder Andy Stolt, infielder Travis Thorson, catcher Paul Yager and infielder Jamie Hoffmann.

In addition, 14 B-squad players from last year will be vying for spots on the varsity along with two sophomores -- Eric Austvold and Bobby Wellmann -- getting varsity time.

Juniors Brandon Rolloff, Jace Marti, Gary Wurtzberger, Danny Kitzberger, Tyler Janni, Mike Grossmann, Isaac Forstner and Dusty Fleck all have potential.

"I have a job that I hate to do and that is to cut players," said Senske. "I have 25 people out for varsity now and I will pare that down to 20 for the regular season and then by two more when it comes to tournament time. That is the least fun part of the coaching job."

Right now, Senske said that the catching job could be troublesome. "We have some people who are hurt early in the year," he said. "Paul Yager is out for 2-3 weeks with a severe ankle sprain. I will try (Rob) Geistfeld back there; he caught at the 10th grade level and he caught some last summer. Catching will be between Yager, Geistfeld, Mike Grossmann, Wurtzberger and sophomore Blake Thorson. They will all get a look early and whoever is the best defensive catcher will have the job."

Senske has penciled in either Geistfeld along with junior Jace Marti. "He (Marti) has a torn up shoulder (from hockey) and cannot throw yet. We will need to find a spot for Marti's bat somewhere." Also battling for the spot is senior Nate Braun.

Spelbrink, when not pitching, will play second base along with Isaac Forstner. "Forstner will play second when Spelbrink is pitching," Senske said.

Hoffmann, a junior, has the shortstop spot with Thorson at third base.

"I am happy with that left side of the infield," commented Senske.

The outfield will be patrolled by Boddy in left field, Schmidt in center field and Stolt in the outfield when he is not pitching. "There are a number of strong candidates also in Brandon Rolloff and Dusty Fleck; both were solid B-squadders last year."

Pitching-wise, Senske looks towards seniors Spelbrink and Stolt, both right-handers, to do the majority of the mound work early in the season until some other people step up.

"Mike Grossmann, Bob Wellmann, Chris Cariveau, Dusty Fleck along with possibly Jamie Hoffmann are other pitching candidates," said Senske. "If we can find someone to play shortstop we can have Hoffmann pitch, but I like him (Hoffmann) at shortstop because he is steady."

On offense, Senske feels that he will have "an OK attack. We have some people who hit well for us. Spelbrink led our team in hitting a year ago; Thorson and Stolt also hit well. I think that Paul Yager can hit, as well as Geistfeld and Matt Schmidt.

"I think that our pitching will be average; Spelbrink and Stolt won for us at the B level; they won for us last year. They have to step up and I think that they both will. The pitching is a question mark to start but as the year goes along and our pitching throws strikes; we will be OK.

"They have to hold people down. We will start with Spelbrink and Stolt as proven quantities. If they throw strikes and we play defense, we will be OK. Bobby Wellmann also showed a lot of potential.

"We will score runs this year and be good on defense if we can find a catcher. Hoffmann and Thorson can play good defense."

The veteran coach tabs Blue Earth (who was 9-3 last year) as the favorite in the South Central Conference with New Ulm a darkhorse. In the Section 2-3A, Mankato East is the heavy favorite, with Marshall, Chaska, Willmar and Monticello as other good teams in the section.

New Ulm is scheduled to open their season Tuesday at Mankato West in a 5 p.m. game. West is coached by former New Ulm assistant Ethan Anderson.