Prep Baseball Report

Badger State Battle: Quick Hits, Day 2


Wisconsin Staff

Each year, the PBR Wisconsin staff hosts the Badger State Battle at the Woodside Complex sites in Mauston and the Dells as a way to celebrate the roots baseball has grown in the state of Wisconsin. The field is limited to programs that call our state home, pitting the top Wisconsin natives against one another. Following each gameday, we’ll go through the day’s highlights inside these Quick Hits posts.

Continue on below to view yesterday’s biggest takeaways.

DAY 2

+ RHP Brayden Deering (Kimberly, 2023) kicked off the morning with a strong performance on the bump for CBT Wolfpack 16U. A projectable 5-foot-9, 150-pound athlete, Deering’s clean actions on the mound and all-around fluidity make him a highlight name inside the state’s 2023 class. He consistently worked in the 79-81 mph range with his fastball, bumping an 82 mph high and locating it for strikes on the corners. Deering also flipped in several breaking balls in the 2,200-to-2,300 RPM range, landing it for strikes and down in the zone, all while flashing sharp spin off an 11/5 plane. He finished the game with nine strikeouts across five innings, allowing four hits total and just one earned run. 

+ RHP Sam Polyock (Badger HS, 2024) led GTS 15U to a 5-0 win over Edge Baseball to start Saturday’s games at Edgewood College. Polyock, a projectable 5-foot-11 160-pound right-handed arm threw a complete game shutout to pick up the win while striking out the side in multiple innings, also getting out of a jam with runners on second and third with no outs. His fastball worked at 74-75 mph from a loose over-the-top slot throughout the entire game with feel for the corners of the zone. Also flipped in a breaking ball at 61 mph with 11/5 shape. Perhaps the most intriguing part of Polyocks arsenal was his changeup, which he could throw for strikes at 63-65 mph in the bottom of the zone to complete a solid three-pitch mix, especially for his age. There looks to be a lot more in the tank for Polyock in the years to come. 

+ Neil Janssen (Delavan-Darien HS, 2024) was Polyock’s battery mate today behind the plate, showing soft hands paired with a strong arm and athletic/directional feet out of the crouch. Charlie Kober (Milton, 2024) from Edge Baseball spent his day in the field at third-base, showing a strong arm across the diamond with smooth hands. Also showcased pop off the bat with a screaming double to left-field. Travis Tiller (Palmyra-Eagle HS, 2024) scorched a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to add on some insurance for GTS to help seal the win. 

+ 15U GRB Rays Green survive their first game of the day coming back and beating Midwest Halos 2024 8-6. After the Rays put up four runs early in the game, the Midwest Halos were hot in the top of the sixth with four singles and one long double to the wall that scored six runs for them. However in the bottom of the sixth down two, Gage Bishop (Hempstead, IA, 2024), Anderson Hayes (Oconomowoc, 2024) and Tevyn Montgomery (Bay Port, 2024) came up big for GRB. Bishop hit a double to the wall putting himself and one other GRB runner in scoring position. Two batters later Hayes hit a line drive single to left that scored both runners on base. Then immediately after Hayes’ at bat, Montgomery came up big, hitting a two-run blast way over the tall left field wall and into the street, breaking the tie to lead by two. Eason Hurd (Ashwaubenon, 2024) closed the game for the Rays sitting 76-78 mph and touching 79 mph. 

+ LHP Joseph Herrick (Franklin HS, 2024) led 15U PTA Cardinal to a commanding victory on the bump, and in the box. The long-limbed southpaw tossed a brilliant six innings of shutout baseball - striking out 10, and giving up just three hits. He went 2-for-3 at the dish as well. 

+ PTA Cardinal 16U won their morning game 16-2 over Silver Slugger - Navy. RHP Copper Kuemmel got the start, throwing a four inning complete game allowing two runs on four hits, two walks and struck out two. Leo Berger (Rufus King, 2023) continued to hit going 3-for-3 with a two-run home run, double and three RBIs. INF Parker Wyatt (Marquette, 2023) continues to just flat-out hit, doubling twice and driving in three runs. 

+ Riley Peterson (Verona, 2023) was locked in on the mound throwing 68 percent strikes on 106 pitches for Edge Baseball in their game against STiKS Red. The 5-foot-10, 145-pounds left-handed pitcher picked up a no decision going six innings. Peterson allowed two earned runs on seven hits, no walks and struck out thirteen. Peterson commanded the zone with a two seam fastball sitting 78-80 mph throughout his outing. Peterson worked with a curveball with true 12/6 action at times, sitting 58-59 mph. 

+ Camden Broske (West Bend West, 2023) got the start for STiKS Red against Edge Baseball, Broske took home a no decision, throwing six shutout innings with six strikeouts, two hits and walked four. From a high ¾ slot, a four seam fastball sat 77-80 mph and a curveball sitting 70-71 mph with 11/5 break.

+ Brew State 16U won big in their night game against ISA Stars White by a score of 12-2. In an offensive heavy game, shortstop Keli Grennier (Menomonee Falls, 2023) went 2-for-2 with a double. Defensively, Grennier is a sure handed shortstop with quiet, fluidwork up the middle. Zach Wolfram (Menomonee Falls, 2023) and Crete Slatterly (Lake Geneva Badger, 2023) both had two hits. Marco Falletti (Wilmot, 2023) supplied the team with power with his grand slam in the fourth. Falletti is equipped with athletic hands and an explosive swing to the pull side.

+ Milwaukee Baseball Academy knocks off ISA Stars White 3-2 on a walk-off delivered by OF Andrew Thom. Thom ripped a ball down the right-field line to score two runs and improve MBA to 2-0 on the weekend. RHP Isaiah Malison (St. Thomas More, 2022; uncommitted), threw six strong innings for Milwaukee, allowing just two earned runs. Malison creates easy velocity from his massive 6-foot-8 frame with minimal effort down the mound. His fastball worked 82-84 mph, touching 85 mph early on; settling in at 80-83 mph later in the game. He went to a sharp 10/4 breaking ball in the 72-74 mph range to put hitters away late in the count. Also flashed a changeup at 71 mph with sink in the bottom of the zone. RHP Ryan Jamison (Rhinelander, 2022) also threw well today, going 6.1 strong innings for the ISA Stars. Cameron Jackson (Ashwaubenon HS, 2022), a strong-bodied 6-foot-3 195-pound frame, found a loud barrel to right-field to tie the game at one run a piece in the top of the sixth inning; later coming around to score and give the Stars a 2-1 lead at the time. 

+ CBT Wolfpack faced off against Brew State Baseball in a thrilling matchup. LHP Nick Doubek (Pewaukee HS, 2022) was in control for six innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out nine. Doubek showed his athleticism at the dish, getting on twice, and stealing two bases. LHP Jack Grable (New London HS, 2022) kept CBT Wolfpack in the game, tossing four strong innings with six strikeouts. The strong southpaw hurler touched 83 mph on his fastball multiple times, sitting at 80-82 mph throughout. Ultimately, the game fell into RHP Easton Plachetka’s (Hortonville HS, 2022) hands. Plachetka threw three innings of relief, striking out one batter, and allowed zero runs. Plachetka came in clutch with a walk-off double to mount CBT Wolfpack’s comeback win. 

+ Velocity 15U knocked off GRB White 10-4 in what started out as a slugfest. Velocity pushed seven runs across in the top of the third inning to jump out to a commanding 7-0 lead at the time; RBIs from Milo Upton (DePere, 2024), Kyle Olson (Pulaski HS, 2024) and Logan Kurth (Pulaski HS, 2024) helped pave the way for their strong inning at the plate. GRB White responded in the next half-inning with four runs to cut into the large deficit. RHP Ben Wucherer (Preble HS, 2024) came out of the pen for Velocity; featuring a drop and drive type delivery that created power coming down the mound. His fastball sat 78-80 mph with occasional arm-side life; also flashed a breaking ball at 66 mph with gradual 11/5 shape. 

+ The 16U GRB Rays MKE White were able to scrape up five runs and maneuver their way past BLG Replacements for their first win of the tournament. The Rays’ hitters were able to put together seven hits and three RBIs. Blake Armiger (Arrowhead, 2023) had a multi-hit performance going 2-for-3. RHP Jedd Czysz (New Berlin West, 2023), threw a complete game only allowing five hits, two runs and striking out five to get the win.    

+LHP Owen Deprez (Luxemburg-Casco HS, 2022) dominated for six innings yesterday afternoon. Deprez tallied 13 strikeouts, giving up just two hits, and letting one run score. The athletic southpaw touched 84mph on multiple occasions, sitting 81-83 mph with his firm fastball. The fastball featured tight run, commanding the outer half of the plate. Deprez put his fastball where he wanted it, and had great success. The uncommitted southpaw has a lot of upside, with long-sturdy legs, creating a strong stride down the mound. Deprez also helped himself with an RBI single. 

+ISA Stars 17U Royal continued their strong start to the tournament, winning their lone game of the day 14-5. Seven different Stars’ bats recorded at least one hit, led by INF Grant Meulemans (Freedom, 2022), who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. CIF Brandon Black (Bay Port, 2022) doubled and drove two in, while C Reece Stangel (Roncalli, 2022) continued to show off an impressive physical offensive profile with a double of his own. 

+ STiKS Black 17U won their lone game of the day rather handedly, scoring 10 runs in a hurry to end it in run-rule fashion. SS Rory Fox (Catholic Memorial, 2022; Notre Dame) continues to flat-out impress each time we see him, barreling up multiple baseballs in this game and driving in three runs total. Uncommitted OF Carson Hansen (Pewaukee, 2022) and C Andrew Niaves (Oregon, 2022) each drove two runs in on a pair of knocks. On the bump for STiKS, RHP Carter Tower (Oconomowoc, 2022) is a name set to rise in our updated 2022 rankings shortly at the summer’s conclusion. The 6-foot-6, 180-pound right-hander worked in an 83-85 mph fastball early, dialing it down to 80-82 mph as his start went on. He heavily attacked the lower quadrant of the zone, getting plenty of ground balls, allowing just one hit across four innings. 

GBR White 15U knocked off Delta Sports 8-0 in five innings. Lars Swanson (Waunakee HS, 2024), Hayden Christman (Oconomowoc HS, 2024) and Ethan Stengel (Edgerton HS, 2024) all roped RBI doubles in the bottom of the second inning to give the Rays a 5-0 lead at the time. CF Broden Jackson (Milton HS, 2024) made loud contact all game, including an RBI single to extend the Rays lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the second. The Rays are now 2-0 on the weekend. 

+ Cole Bensen (RHP, Bay Port, 2023) took the mound today for ISA Stars Royal 2023 and shut down the Stars Baseball offense. He attacked hitters and pounded the zone, landing roughly 65% over his pitches for strikes. Loose and quick arm, fastball sat 82-84 mph and mixed in a curveball at 71-74 mph with 11/5 shape to help induce weak contact. Also added a hit and a run scored. Final line: CG, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 H, 8 K. 

+ Despite the loss, RHP Camden Kuhnke (Hortonville, 2023) emerged as a true follow arm in the state’s sophomore class. We first saw Kuhnke in the winter, when the 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-hander turned heads at our Fox Cities Preseason I.D. thanks to a strong performance on the mound. He repeated that yesterday, showing arm-side action on an 83-86 mph fastball that topped at 87 mph. Kuhnke also spun a handful of quality 70-74 mph breaking balls, helping him miss barrels throughout his start. 

+ We had heard a handful of positive things about sophomore RHP Ty Rechner (Stevens Point, 2024) in the past, but the JBA Clutch 17U starter showed every bit the part of a high-follow freshman arm in the Badger State. Playing up two age levels, Rechner went the distance in a dominant outing, holding his opponents to just one run. He filled up the zone, primarily on the corners, with an 82-84 mph fastball that was up to 85 mph. Rechner utilized his breaking ball to keep hitters off balance and even earned some awkward swings-and-misses on it when he chose to work it down in the zone. 

+ Velocity Baseball 16U defeated GRB Rays MKE Yellow 16U in four innings with a final score of 13-1. Jake Lucas (Kaukauna, 2023) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Nate Messenger (Bay Port, 2023) drove in three runs, while Grant Gil (Bay Port, 2023) and Christian Counard (Southern Door, 2023) each collected a hit with two RBIs each. LHP Jaden Diller (Southern Door, 2023)  tossed four complete innings striking out six for Velocity Baseball. 

+ INF Jackson Brewer (Homestead, 2024) was an impact contributor for Homestead in his first season at the varsity level this spring and has started to translate that into the summer season. A 6-foot-3, 185-pound left/left athlete, Brewer went 2-for-2 with two quality barrels and two RBIs. OF Cade Palkowski (Oak Creek, 2024) continues to trend upward each time we see him, this time booming two triples into the pull-side gap in the Hitters 10-2 win on Friday morning. 

+ GRB Rays Yellow 16U defeated Thundercat Baseball 8-5. Leading GRB Rays was Chayce Osterhaus (Markesan, 2023) who doubled, tripled and drove in a run. Hudson Turner (Baraboo, 2023) collected three hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Jackson Hewitt (Monona Grove, 2023) also doubled, driving in a run as well. RHP Daelen Johnson (Beaver Dam, 2023)  earned the win on the mound, throwing six  innings, striking out five and allowing only one earned run. Johnson’s fastball touched 82 mph while sitting 78-80 mph. Leading the ThunderCats was Nick Gregg (Janesville Craig, 2024) who collected two hits and drove in three runs. Max Kurth (Evansville, 2023) also had two hits and a run batted in. Starting Pitcher Eddy Eveland (Lake Mills, 2023) threw six strong innings. Eveland’s fastball reached 84 mph while sitting 81-82 mph. 

+ GRB Rays White 16U defeated Silver Sluggers White 8-5 with a late offensive surge. Kaden Kowalewski (La Follette HS, 2023; GRB Rays) started the rally with an RBI double to the centerfield wall to make the score 5-3 in favor of Silver Sluggers at the time. Tyler Magestro (Monona Grove HS, 2023) would then come up and deliver the game tying knock with a two-run. Kaleb Pagel (Fond du Lac HS, 2023) proceeded to give  the Rays the lead with an RBI single to make the score 6-5 at the time. RHP Mitch Broadhead (Atkinson HS, 2023) came out of the pen for Silver Sluggers to try and stop the bleeding; Broadhead displayed an 80-82 mph fastball that he paired with a slurvy 68 mph breaking ball. Atticus Marse (Verona Area HS, 2023) impressed in the field, making an athletic diving catch in the bottom of the seventh inning to help preserve the lead. 

+ GRB Rays Yellow 17U earned their first win of the weekend on Friday night, scratching nine runs across. OF Howie Rickett (DeForest, 2022) jumpstarted the offense out of the two-hole, going 2-for-3 with two extra-base knocks, including a loud triple into the right-center gap. He drove two runs in and scored three times. Both of INF Colin Obermann (Kimberly, 2022) and INF Jalen Gellings (Campbellsport, 2022) only hits went for extra bases, as they both continue to show well as potential top-of-the-order threats. 

+ STiKS Black 15U and Hitters 2024 Navy squared off in what’s been the most exciting contest of the weekend thus far, with several prospect follows on the field at one time. STiKS jumped out to an early lead, capitalizing on a few mishaps to throw up a five-spot in the second inning. Hitters slowly chipped and battled their way back into the contest, trailing 6-4 heading into the final frame. With two outs, OF Cade Palkowski (Oak Creek, 2024) doubled to deep center field and INF Brock Lulewicz (Muskego, 2024) followed him up with an infield single. An error brought them both home, tying the game up. After an intentional walk, a mishap on the infield resulted in an eventual positive for STiKS, as the game-winning run was nabbed at the plate on a fantastic throw to home, cutting it down and preserving what ended up a tie. INF Landon Hagenow (Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 2024) led the STiKS offense with two hits, while INF Brock Peterson (Oak Creek, 2024) drove two runs in. For Hitters, Palkowski, Lulewicz, 1B Jackson Brewer (Homestead, 2024), and 1B Aren Robinson (Brookfield Central, 2024) all had two hits. 

+ PTA Cardinal 17U won their first game on Friday 5-0, as LHP Taylor Kilps (Whitnall, 2022) and RHP Nate Snead (South Milwaukee, 2022) combined for a no-hitter. Kilps started for Cardinal, striking out six across three innings of work. He then handed the ball off to Snead, who finished the final four innings with five strikeouts. Left-handed hitting C/1B Ryan Santi (Oak Creek, 2022) and INF Keaton Arendt (Franklin, 2022) each had extra-base hits in the Cardinal win. 

+ PTA Cardinal 17U and PBA Gold 17U competed valiantly against each other in a hard-fought battle that ultimately ended in a 6-5 win for PBA Gold. Tied up at 5-5 heading into the last inning, INF T.J. Williams (Racine Horlick, 2022) blooped a single to right field, walking it off for PBA. OF Remmi Sweet (Union Grove, 2022) continues to trend up in the state’s 2022 class, going 3-for-3 with a double and triple for PBA. OF Ethan Clark (Lakes Community, IL, 2022) and RHP/INF Tanner Johnson (Indian Trail, 2022) both had two hits as well. SS/RHP Parker Thompson (Wauwatosa East, 2022) got the nod for PTA on the bump and struck out nine batters over 4.2 innings of work, while 1B/C Ryan Santi (Oak Creek, 2022) continues to show well, collecting two hits, including a double. 

+ Rhino Wisconsin 2024 - Schaefer earned a quality 3-2 win in the final game of our Friday block. C Zach Tomlinson (Hortonville, 2023) led the Rhino offense with a double, while OF Shaun Gavin (Oshkosh North, 2024) had the only RBI of the game. RHP Ian Dohms (Menasha, 2024) went the distance, striking seven out while allowing only one earned run. 

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