Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 22 Notre Dame Academy


By Andy Sroka & Diego Solares
Wisconsin Staff

The Wisconsin high school baseball season kicks off on April 27, opening day for regular season action under WIAA regulations. Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we’ll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2021 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, leading into a countdown through the official PBR Wisconsin Preseason Power 25 Rankings.

Perennially, we’ve submitted a Preseason Questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we’re using the detailed insight they’ve provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis. These preseason previews are also assembled with the help of Joe Waite and his comprehensive Baseball Wisconsin Yearbook, and the 2021 edition will soon be available for purchase here.

Our 2021 preseason coverage continues today.

Team: Notre Dame Academy
Preseason Rank: No. 22
2019 Record: 13-15
Conference: Fox River Classic
WIAA Division: 2
Head Coach: Jared Baker

TOP PLAYERS

NAME POS CLASS COMMITMENT
Isaac Johnson INF/RHP 2021 -
Griffin Klein LHP/OF 2021 Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Caden Capomaccio RHP/INF 2022 -
Cade Milton C 2022 -
Landen Lozier INF 2023 -
Deuce Musial II OF/RHP 2023 Illinois State
Brady LaViolette 3B/C 2024 -

OUTLOOK

Even as the lone D2 program in the historic Fox River Classic Conference, the Tritons are an attractive under-the-radar pick to give traditional heavyweights Bay Port, De Pere, and Preble a chase atop the conference standings.

In 2021, Notre Dame appears to be rostering a very interesting blend of bats and arms – and even some now-rare varsity experience – that has the Tritons trending up ahead of Opening Day.

From the mound, this staff will be led by RHP/INF Caden Capomaccio, an athletic junior with arm strength who reached a 91 mph high last month, in addition to a swing-and-miss breaking ball and deceptive change. He has the makings of a true ace-type, and is in the running as one of the top arms in the loaded conference, which will come in handy in rival meetings with Bay Port and De Pere, among others.

Caden Capomaccio (3/14/21)

Pairing up with Capomaccio in this pitching rotation is recent Illinois State commit RHP/OF Deuce Musial II. Built at a highly projectable 6-foot-5, 182 pounds, Musial uses every bit of his long-levered frame to extend downhill and consistently makes for an uncomfortable at bat. He pumped in an 84-86 mph fastball with relative ease at last month’s Fox Cities Preseason I.D., and there’s certainly more velocity left to come as he continues to mature. In his first taste of varsity action, Musial is a quality compliment to Capomaccio atop this rotation, while also being relied on offensively and in the outfield.

Deuce Musial II (3/6/21)

There are a few other important pieces that make up this Tritons’ roster across the diamond. Senior LHP/OF Griffin Klein is a strike-throwing southpaw that completes the rotation, offering significant depth. Junior backstop Cade Milton is both a quality receiver that will capably handle this rotation, and his right-handed bat should be leaned on as a run-producer from the middle of the order. 

Cade Milton (6/24/20)

Freshman C/3B Brady LaViolette has the potential to make a sizable impact within this daily lineup, without the pressure of being leaned on too early in his prep career, given the older talent set to hit in front of him.

Sophomore Landen Lozier has authentic middle infield actions, though likely profiles best at second base. He’ll be able to reliably cover shortstop when Capomaccio’s pitching however. He’ll be an asset on defense for Notre Dame at both crucial spots, and his left-handed bat has been getting better over the past year, or so, with the traits to set the table from the top of this order successfully. Senior INF/RHP Isaac Johnson is added depth that enhances this squad’s depth, especially for a D2 program.

Landen Lozier (3/21/21)

BOTTOM LINE 

While they’re not the most experienced club on offense, the Tritons enter this 2021 spring with an athletic bunch looking to compete for their first Fox River Classic Conference championship in over a decade. Even amidst some in-conference adversity, the tough trek through the FRCC could sharpen Notre Dame by the time the playoffs arrive, where the Tritons might be among the most battle-tested D2 squads in the state.

Make sure to follow @PBRWisconsin on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the 2021 season.

Find more information on the 2021 Tritons below:

+ Team Schedule

+ Team Twitter

PRESEASON POWER 25 COUNTDOWN