SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW / BASEBALL
As disappointing as it might have been to lose eight players, including a number of impact players, from last year’s 14-win team, manager James Fultz is optimistically focused now on just as many key players who still grace the clubhouse.
Gone from last year’s squad are Alex Schuh, Asthon Squires, Jacob Meyer, Jeret Ankrum, Eathan Martinez, Zach Swanson, Espn Radke and Brian Erbes. However, the group of players coming back should put the Panthers in a good position for a successful season: Returning for the Panthers this year are Trevor Smith, Noah Knakmuhs, Alex Munson, Griffin Zick, David Schuh and Connor Lanoue.
“All of these guys have been in lineups, pitched or played in the field over the last few years,” Fultz said. “As coaches, we have talked about how this team can have success this year, and it comes down to two or three big factors.”
The No. 1 factor, Fultz said, is consistent pitching, and four of those returning players have logged many innings already.
DATE OPPONENT SQU. SITE TIME Tue, April 1 Adrian-Ellsworth AB Tracy (B at Milroy) 4:30pm Fri, April 4 Windom AB Windom (B at Rec Center) 4:30pm Tue, April 8 HLOF A Tracy (No B) 4:30pm Thu, April 10 Lakeview AB Tracy (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Fri, April 11 MCC AB Slayton (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Tue, April 15 LQPV A Madison (No B) 5:00pm Thu, April 17 RTR AB Tracy (B at Milroy) 4:30pm Tue, April 22 Dawson-Boyd AB Dawson (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Thu, April 24 Canby AB Tracy (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Fri, April 25 Edgerton/SWC AB Edgerton (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Tue, April 29 MACCRAY AB Milroy (B at Tracy) 4:30pm Thu, May 1 KMS A Sunburg (No B) 5:00pm Tue, May 6 CMCS A Milroy (No B) 4:30pm Tue, May 6 Wabasso AB Milroy (B Tracy, 4:30pm) 7:00pm Thu, May 8 Ortonville A Milroy (No B) 4:30pm Tue, May 13 Minneota AB Minneota (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Thu, May 15 RCW AB Sacred Heart (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Fri, May 16 RRC/WWG A Tracy (No B) 4:00pm Mon, May 19 Pipestone AB Tracy (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Tue, May 20 YME AB Milroy (B at 6:30pm) 4:30pm Sat, May 24 Sections A High Seed TBD Tue, May 27 Sections A Milroy TBD Thu, May 29 Sections A Milroy TBD Sat, May 31 Sections A Milroy TBD Tue, June 3 Sections A TBD TBD Thu, June 5 Section Finals A TBD TBD June 10, 11, 12 State Tournament A Chaska TBD Fri, June 13 State Finals A Target Field TBD “We will need them to carry the load for us again on the mound,” said Fultz. “If they limit walks and can go deep in games, we will be competitive in a bunch of games.”
Secondly, Fultz said, playing good defense is of utmost importance, with a goal of two or fewer errors per game.
“With so many guys being able to throw, the defense will have to be flexible no matter who is throwing,” said Fultz. “Some guys will be preparing to play two or three different positions in a game. Keep the defense clean, paired with good pitching, that should keep us competitive against anyone we play.”
JUNIOR HIGH
DATE OPPONENT SQU. SITE TIME Thu, April 3 RTR JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Tue, April 8 HLOF JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Thu, April 10 Windom JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Fri, April 11 MCC JH Slayton 4:30pm Tue, April 15 Springfield JH Springfield, Sticker Field 4:30pm Thu, April 24 Minneota JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Thu, May 1 Windom JH Windom 4:30pm Sat, May 3 Tournament JH Pipestone TBA Thu, May 8 RTR JH Russell 4:30pm Sat, May 10 Tournament JH Slayton TBA Tue, May 13 Wabasso JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Thu, May 15 YME JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Fri, May 16 RRC/WWG JH Tracy JH Field 4:00pm Mon, May 19 Pipestone JH Tracy JH Field 4:30pm Next up is manufacturing runs, which will including playing some small ball (stealing bases and bunting) every now and then.
“Our team is a mix of experience coming back and the need of filling key positions that we lost from last year’s senior group,” Fultz said. “We will have the pitching and top end of the lineup back. The big key will be finding a catcher to replace Alex Schuh and also fill in some outfield spots as well. There will be a ton of guys moving around depending on the pitcher we have that day, so everyone settling into their spots and getting comfortable in their role will be the key to start this season. Hopefully by the end of April and early May, everyone is comfortable and playing well.”
Fultz said the Panthers’ goal this year is to compete for a conference championship and host the first round of playoffs.
“The numbers may not be very big, but the guys are very excited for the upcoming season,” he said. “The guys returning are ready to lead this team, and the new guys to the varsity lineup are ready to step in and contribute.”
TMB BASEBALL ROSTER Seniors: Noah Knakmuhs, Alex Munson, Trevor Smith; juniors: Connor Lanoue, David Schuh; sophomores: Brody Hauger, Aiden Sanow, Taylor Squires, Jack Willhite; freshmen: Christian Gasca, Carson Lanoue, Tyson Petersen; eighth-graders: Nolan Carlson, Noah Johnson, Jackson Kruse, Luke Millman; seventh-graders: Maddox Eliason, Linkin Hesse, Brayden Marron, Ethan Schreier, Perseus Trierweiler; sixth-graders: Cal Lanoue, Devon Ankrum
