Preview: WIAA state baseball tournament
Mark Stewart
WIAA BASEBALL TOURNAMENT
What: 53rd annual summer state baseball tournament.
When: Friday, beginning at 11:35 a.m.
Where: Kapco Park, Mequon.
TV: All games will be shown live on Spectrum Sports Channel.
Live feed: All games will be streamed live on WIAA.TV. A subscription is required.
Results: Go to wiaawi.org.
2016 champion: Menomonee Falls.
SCHEDULE
Semifinals
Kiel (19-8) vs. Marquette (26-7), 11:35 a.m.
West Bend West (31-0) vs. Franklin (27-6), 2:05 pm. (approximate)
Final: at 6:05 p.m.
RELATED::State baseball: Despite turnover Marquette qualifies for second straight year
THE LOWDOWN
Kiel: The playoffs have been a redemption tour for the Raiders, who finished third in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference behind New Holstein and Plymouth but defeated both in the sectional to reach state for the first time since 1969. Earlier in the tournament, they avenged another loss by eliminating Howards Grove in a regional final.
Franklin: The Sabers, who are making their 11th state appearance, finished third in the Greater Metro behind Oak Creek and Marquette. The team has stormed through the tournament winning its first two postseason games by at least 10 runs and then defeating Muskego, 9-3, in the sectional final. Coach Jim Hughes recorded his 900th victory this season.
Marquette: The Hilltoppers, last season’s state runner-up, have three Division I recruits on the roster in senior Zach Nogalski (UW-Milwaukee), Pat Sisk (Furman) and Peter Ahn (Michigan State). Four of the team’s losses came by one run.
West Bend West: The Spartans have been the area’s No. 1 ranked team all season. Seven of their victories came by shutout and 15 times they’ve reached double digits for runs. Four Division I recruits grace the roster: seniors Nathan Burns (Oregon State), Anthony Schlass (Oklahoma) and Jack Thelen (UW-Milwaukee) and junior Evan Albrecht (Purdue). This is the program’s 13th state appearance overall and ninth under coach Bill Albrecht, who won his 400th game this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Peter Ahn, sr., Marquette: One of two returning starters, the Michigan State recruit has done the job in the infield and at the plate. Hee leads the team in average (.457), runs batted in (42) and runs (37).
Nathan Aide, sr., Franklin: The outfielder comes to state after a memorable performance in sectionals. He blasted two home runs and drove in seven runs in victories over Greendale and Muskego. He arrives at state with four homers and 46 RBI.
Evan Albrecht, sr., West Bend West: The infielder, a Purdue recruit, was hitting .473 through 29 games with 27 RBI. He was also stealing bases at a 94% success rate (30 for 32).
Carson Manning, sr., Franklin: The Sabers infielder entered sectional play with team highs in batting average (.443) and home runs (three) and ranked second with 33 RBI.
Anthony Schlass, sr., West Bend West: The Oklahoma recruit carried a 9-0 record and 0.30 ERA into the sectional. He has also been tearing it up at the plate, hitting .460 with a team-high 42 RBI.
Pat Sisk, sr., Marquette: After playing club ball his first three years, the third baseman and Furman recruit has made a strong impression on the Hilltoppers lineup, ranking second with a .453 batting average and sharing the lead with five home runs.