Prep Baseball Report

Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 5 Kenosha Indian Trail



The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 29, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 21, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: Kenosha Indian Trail
Preseason Rank: 5
2015 Record: 22-8
Conference: Southeast
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach:
Mike Schmidt
Playoff Run: Sectional Champions
2015 Final Rank: 15
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 4


TOP PLAYERS

Name State School Class Pos Commitment
Gavin Lux WI Kenosha Indian Trail
2016 SS
Arizona State
Nick Elsen
WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2017 OF Kent State
Kyle Antos WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2017 C

Ryan Hoerter WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2017 RHP
Jeremy Stouffer WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2016 RHP Southwest Minnesota State
Griffin Klein WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2017 2B

Alex Tricoli-Walkanoff WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2017 INF

Noah Cresco WI Kenosha Indian Trail 2016 OF  

 

X-FACTOR
Senior leader Gavin Lux is the staple of this Indian Trail program. Starting as a freshman in the Hawks first year of existence, Lux has been one of the top prospects in the country and is getting serious draft interest this year. Lux hit .481 last year and although no stranger to the lime light, Lux will certainly be under close watch by professional scouts in his draft year, and certainly something to keep an eye on. For most players this can be a daunting task to perform under, but although the MLB draft will be lingering in front of him all year, my guess is Lux is focused on one goal, and that's taking the Hawks back to state.

KEY PLAYER LOST
Ryne Sack, RHP/INF
Jared Hoerter, OF

OUTLOOK
Indian Trail returns a wealth of talent in 2016 and is one of two favorites in a tough Southeast Conference this year. The Hawks gained some valuable experience last season, winning their sectional and making an appearance at state. That team also feature four sophomores with a ton of talent that will be counted on as huge contributors in 2016. One in particular, RHP Ryan Hoerter, is making huge stride of late. Hoerter was the winning pitcher in last year's sectional title game and this winter has seen his fastball jump into the upper 80's. The stuff Hoerter possesses is on par with any ace in the state and will be a key cog in the Hawks success along with RHP Jeremy Stouffer who is coming off of an 8-1 season with a 2.50 ERA.

With Lux captaining the infield, the Hawks will have one of the best infield defenses in the state. Griffin Klein and Alex Tricoli-Walkanoff will likely flank the Arizona State commit on the infield and both are next level defenders. Kyle Antos is one of the top catchers in Wisconsin's 2017 class and is coming off a .398 season.

Outfield depth could be one of the only issues for Coach Schmidt. Kent State commit Nick Elsen has a big bat in the outfield and is likely to put up much bigger numbers than last year.

Look for Indian Trail and Tremper to battle it out all year in the Southeast Conference, and likely a highly anticipated sectional matchup. Don't be surprised if the winner of that sectional ends up in the 2016 title game.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.