Northland Sports Online Baseball Preview

April 11th, 2016

Tyler Peterson-NSO

The snow is melting, the weather is becoming warmer, and the lines are getting chalked for another season of prep baseball in the Northland.

In Section 5A, the Barnum Bombers will look to bounce back from a 2-13 record in 2015. The Bombers will be led by seniors Chris Carlson, Hunter Lake, and Mason Agurkis. The were set to open the season on April 5th, but their game got postponed. They will look to open their season up on April 11th when they travel to play Ogilvie.

Also in Section 5A is the McGregor/Cromwell Mercuries who went 4-12 last season. They will return seniors Alex Kropp and Trevor Heagle along with juniors Cole Hoover and Billy Staska. They will open their season up on April 12th when they host the Cook County Vikings.

In Section 7A, the Carlton Bulldogs will look to improve on a 5-15 record in 2015. They will be returning a large group of starters from 2015 including the lone senior in Marshall Bennett, a large group of juniors which consists of Evan Gray, Sam Macor, Nate Nilsen, and Tyler Ojibway along with two sophomores in Jackson Mickle and Leif Herman. The Bulldogs opened their season up on April 9th against Renville. They will search for their first win on April 12th when they host the Two Harbors Agates.

Also in 7A is the South Ridge Panthers who had a 19-7 record last season. They will return a large senior class, which consists of Zach Johnson, Reid Clark, Garrett Hanson, Trey Karppinen, and Cole Watkins along with junior Vincent Wood. They open their season up against North East Range and Cherry on April 13th at Wade Stadium.

The Floodwood Polar Bears, who are also in Section 7A, will look to continue their strong baseball tradition in 2016. They will return seniors Hunter Oak, Tanner Haggedahl, Alex Larson, Darren Durovec, and Noah Thompson. They look to open their season up on April 14th against the South Ridge Panthers.

In Section 7AA, the Esko Eskomos, will look to have a strong season with several starters returning, including seniors Nick Emanuel, Cole Litsey, Nick LeGarde, Michael Sullivan, and Ethan Linder. They will open their season up on April 14th when they battle Polar League foe, the Carlton Bulldogs.

Also in 7AA is the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers, who went 18-9 last season. They bring back seniors Peter Lenz, Tyler Pederson, Cullen Mudrak, and Murphy Steininger. They opened their season up on April 9th where they split a double header with Breck. They will be back in action on April 15th when they travel to take on the Aitkin Gobblers.

Another 7AA team to watch out for this upcoming season is the Proctor Rails, who went 12-12 in 2015. They bring back seniors Matt Tracey, Matt Morris, Derek Dahlgren, Jake Malec, Nathan Carlson, and Matt Sievert. They open the season up on April 12th at home against Eveleth-Gilbert.

In 7AAA, the Cloquet Lumberjacks will look to have another successful season after going 17-4 in 2015. They will have seniors Jeremy Bushey, Chanler Dilday, Trent Anderson, Gabe Sorenson, and Austin Parenteau returning this season. The Lumberjacks are scheduled to open their season up on April 12th against International Falls at home.

Also in 7AAA is the Hermantown Hawks who went 6-16 last season. They will look to improve on that this year with a senior heavy roster, which includes Taylor Absher, Nick Bostrom, Derek Haedrich, Nate Keiper, Eric Gotz, Thomas Madison, and Nate Nelson. They hope to open their season up on April 14th on the road against Duluth Denfeld.

In Class 7AAAA, the Duluth East Greyhounds will look to have a successful season. They will bring back seniors Joey Zwak, Kyler Kujawa, Willem Aldrich, Nathaniel Benson, Joe Nelson, and Casey Aplin. They opened the year up on April 9th against Rochester John Marshall and Rochester Mayo, winning both games. They will be back in action on April 15th when they travel to play Richfield.

Tyler Peterson can be contacted at tpeterson@northlandsportsonline.com