With Aho and Stumbo as the only players with varsity experience, Pearson is expecting that it will take some time for the other players to adjust to the speed of the game.  “They are going to realize the level of competition is way different than they are used to playing against,” said Pearson.

Seniors who will be battling for a number of starting positions include Drew Bailey (IF/P), Bryce Burrill (OF/P), Wyatt Goetz (C), Arik Heacox (C/SS/P), Jack Uhrich (C) and David Horgen (P).  Juniors fighting for varsity starting spots are Andrew Johnson (IF/P), Owen Krueger (OF/P), Sam Sorum (OF/P), Jonah Sorum (OF/P), Carter Thielke (SS/P), Cole Zierden (C/P), Kaden Conklin (1B/P), Ben Tollerson (3B/P) and Cole Wentworth (2B).

“The biggest strength of this team would have to be their willingness to work,” noted Pearson.  “We have talent, but it is unproven talent at this point and time.  There are improvements to be made in many areas and those improvements don’t happen if you’re not willing to keep at it.  This team’s work ethic and effort will definitely help this coaching staff tap into that talent.  I’m excited to see the growth of this inexperienced team!”

Steve Olson and Shane Thielke will serve as varsity assistants, while Andrew Goracke will be the JV coach.  David Dirks and Nathan Arens will coach the ninth-graders and Mark Aho is a volunteer coach.

Brock Kotschevar, Matt Scott, Jack Culbertson, Michael Wiederich, Jack Baker and Michael Maanum were the senior players that missed out on their final year of baseball due to the pandemic.  “They all handled their disappointment with unbelievable maturity,” said Pearson.