NSO Baseball Preview

Cade Pierson – NSO

The Northland Sports Online Baseball preview is here, as is spring sports and all the excitement that comes with!

CLOQUET:

Coached by Rick Norrgard, the Lumberacks will look to add more wins to their previous record last season of 13-10. With key returning players of Tim Pokornowski, Cooper Grashorn, and Jon Baker, that feat is in the realm of possibility. Five starters in all will return, with three of their top pitchers from last season back in action on the mound.

McGREGOR/CROMWELL-WRIGHT:

First year coach Tom Burman takes over a team that will return six seniors. The team will try and improve upon last years 3-12 overall record with key returners Joey Glenz, Joe Baker, and Dusty Demenge back on the diamond.

BARNUM:

Seventh year coach Tony Bender’s squad graduated five seniors from last season, but has Tyler Nynas, Max Salzer, and Ryan Weller among others returning who saw time last year. A 4-12 record from the previous season will mean the Bombers will try to reach that .500 mark this spring.

ESKO: 

Coached by Ben Haugen, who enters his 12th season leading the Eskimos, this seasons Esko team will look to be steady near the top of the section 7AA once again, going 18-6 last year, good for third place in their section. Top returners include Tyler Peterson, Ryan Nelson, and Brendan Matteen.

CARLTON:

Ryan Schmidt returns for his ninth year coaching the Bulldogs. Last years team compiled a 13-9 record, graduating five starters. Key returners are Chase Parker, Jackson Mickle, and Kaden Crane. Carlton will rely on youth for some positions, as Crane is a Sophomore, and contributors Peyton Schmidt (Junior), and Jacob Santkuyl (Junior) are all underclassmen.

MOOSE LAKE-WILLOW RIVER:

Back for his sixth season as head coach, Matt Niedzielski will look to improve upon last seasons 7-13 record. Only graduating two seniors has the Rebels bringing back many key returning players. Mark Fossum, Ian Coi, and Danny Whited look to lead a group of returning contributors to positive .500 record.

WRENSHALL:

Head Coach Paul DeVall, who is in his third season leading the Wrens squad, graduated two Seniors last season. They will look to top returners Brennan Kelly and Randy Wimmer to improve upon a one-win record last year. With most of the team intact, the Wrens will look to be much more competitive this spring season.

SOUTH RIDGE:

Tyler Olin returns for his fourth season as head coach for the Panthers. Last years 17-5 mark will be a tough one to top this season, but expectations will remain high with key returners Nick Carlson, Elias Tuominen, and Joey Janke leading the charge. The Panthers graduated three seniors in Mark Lisic and Vinny Wood, and Christian Houle.