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Wisconsin Power 25: First Update

April 17, 2023
By: Andy Sroka, Isaiah Glidden & Maddox Durst
Wisconsin Staff

For the first time this season, the PBR Wisconsin staff is updating its Power 25 rankings following the third week of the WIAA season. And while there have been three weeks of play, technically, poor weather at the beginning of the season made it difficult for many of the programs all over the state to play the majority of their games to this point. Last week’s cooperative weather, however, helped most teams really get their seasons underway in earnest.

We’ll be breaking down the Power 25 in full today, as we have some teams that have made dramatic rises up the board, as well as the four teams debuting onto the rankings inside this update – which also means we have four that have fallen off it in the process.

AT THE TOP

+ No. 1 Kimberly (2-1): There isn’t too much to say just yet for the Papermakers in 2023. Their lone loss came in their season opener, on a trip to Ohio, where they faced an excellent program, Olentangy Liberty, and just narrowly lost. Since returning home, Kimberly downed Oshkosh North, 11-1, and rallied for an ugly win against Neenah. Few teams have the kind of firepower on the mound that the ‘Makers have already shown this spring, and we expect that to carry them through the spring as they retain the No. 1 overall spot in this first update.

CLIMBING

+ No. 2 Marquette University (3-1): The Hilltoppers are off and running to start their 2023 season and have made quite a significant jump up our inside this Power 25 update. Their first win of the year came against our previous No. 2 team, Arrowhead. In their win, RHP Luke Agnew (2023; Wichita State commit) was dominant in his five innings of work, and he will be continuously leaned on as the ace for this Hilltopper rotation. They then traveled down to Missouri to take on teams from Missouri, Colorado, and Nebraska, going 2-1 on the weekend. Offensively, OF Parker Wyatt (2023; Dayton commit) is off to a strong start as he garnered some POTW attention as he went 5-for-10 with six RBIs in their 3-1 start to the season. Overall, while we expected this Marquette team to be one of the best in the state, they may have already exceeded that and they seem primed to continue this hot streak as they take on No. 23 Kettle Moraine on Wednesday.

+ No. 3 Menomonee Falls (7-0): One of, if not the hottest team in the state has to be Menomonee Falls and because of it they move up 14 spots in this rankings update. Menomonee Falls has been one of the lucky teams that haven’t been affected by the weather that much as they have played seven games so far this season, all of which they have one. While having seven straight wins is already impressive, pretty much all of their wins have came in dominant fashion as they have outscored their opponents 80-7. One of the main reasons for their success early on this year is coming from reigning PBR Wisconsin POTW, RHP/1B Zach Wolfram (2023) who tallied five XBHs and drove in 13 runs for Menomonee Falls in their first two weeks of action. On the mound, he has been a key piece too, allowing just one earned run across his 14 innings of work. With other key pieces like INF Keli Grennier (2023; McHenry County JC commit) and RHP Grant Schultz (2023; Wisconsin-Oshkosh) also enjoying successful senior campaigns, the Phoenix are off to a hot start in 2023.

+ No. 6 Hudson (3-1): The Raiders have enjoyed a solid start to the season and move up a couple of spots as a result. To start their spring, Hudson took on then ranked No. 12 Denmark and on the backs of dominant pitching from both LHP Ben Berhof (2023; North Dakota State commit) LHP Bradyn Bezanson (2024) who held Denmark to just one hit. Their next two wins on the season came against Amherst and Chippewa Falls in dominant fashion. The only slip up so far for Hudson came in their second game against Chippewa Falls as they lost a tough one, 11-10. Early on in the season, INF Jake Busson (2023; Iowa Central CC commit) has had the hot bat and with other names like C Hunter Carlson (2024), INF Landon Zeuli (2024), OF Payton Lawrence, and more also having good starts to the season, the Raiders seem primed to build off of their solid start to the season. 

+ No. 7 River Falls (4-0): The Wildcats are off to a 4-0 start early into the 2023 season and move up to the No. 7 spot in this update as a result. Two of their first four wins came against teams from Minnesota but they also tallied two wins over conference opponent, Eau Claire Memorial, in dominant fashion. RHP Keenan Mork (2023; Notre Dame) has been off to a solid start in his senior campaign. His first start of the year came against ECM and he allowed just one hit, while striking out seven. Offensively, C/OF Elijah Baker (2023; Wisconsin-Eau Claire commit) and CIF Brooks Rivard (2025) have been two of the many key pieces for River Falls and will look to build off of hot starts to the season. 

+ No. 9 Janesville Craig (6-0): The Cougars have dominated early on in the season as they have dominated in pretty much all six of their wins. The offense for Craig has put up some eye popping scores, as they put up 33 runs in their game against Oregon, 27 runs against Madison La Follette, and 22 runs in their matchup against crosstown rival, Janesville Parker, to just name a few and they have already scored a combined 127 runs on the season. While the offense has been arguably the most impressive in the state, the pitching staff has also been noteworthy during their first few games and have allowed just eight runs. 

+ No. 10 Monona Grove (7-1): While we expected the Silver Eagles to be one of the top teams in the state, they have maybe already exceeded our expectations. To start their year, Monona Grove was one of the few teams in action and they took down Madison West, before traveling down to Kentucky to take on a handful of out of state schools. Since being back, Monona Grove has tallied five wins, highlighted by a dominant 12-2 win over then ranked No. 25 Kettle Moraine. On the mound, RHP/3B Kaden Connor (2025) has been dominant to start the season as he has allowed just two earned runs across his 17.1 innings of work, highlighted by a complete game no-hit performance against Oregon. As expected RHP/OF Jackson Hewitt (2023; St. Mary’s-MN commit) has been productive for the Silver Eagles on both sides of the ball, allowing just three earned runs across his 9.1 innings pitched and manning the three-hole in the Silver Eagle lineup as well. RHP/OF Calvin Moreau (2026) is amongst the state's top freshman and he is enjoying a solid start to his first year of high school on both sides of the ball. OF Nicholas Guidici (2024) is another outfielder that seems to be having a solid year and he will look to build off of that for Monona Grove. 

+ No. 16 Whitefish Bay (6-0): Despite losing an ultra-talented 2022 class, the Blue Dukes are off to a hot start this spring. As advertised, the middle infielder duo of JD Dix (2024; Alabama commit) and Jack Counsell (2023; Michigan commit) have lived up to their expectations. Dix came out firing on opening day against Homestead, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a triple, and three RBIs. He followed up that performance with a two-run home against West Bend West one week later. His partner, Counsell, has racked up a hit in every game except for one, and has reached base in all six games. Counsell has one three-hit game, and three two-hit performances. Those two haven’t been the only producers for Whitefish Bay though, as 1B Austin Wienke (2023), UTIL Benjamin Volpe (2024), and OF Charlie McIntyre (2026) have all stepped up in their roles for the Blue Dukes from an offensive perspective. Wienke leads the team with two home runs. As for the pitchers, Whitefish Bay continues to use a plethora of arms to guide them through games, including LHP Tyler Andrews (2024) and RHP Gavin Farnsworth (2023). While the offense has put up an impressive 83 runs, the pitching staff of Whitefish Bay has limited opponents to only 16 runs. 

SLIDING

+ No. 8 Arrowhead (3-2): Despite having a few offensive standouts, the Warhawks have dropped two of their first five games of the season. Their two losses have come from Marquette University (5-1) and Waunakee (7-5). On the other hand, Arrowhead has accumulated three wins in this early stretch, taking down Milwaukee King (4-2), Sussex Hamilton (8-1), and New Berlin West (10-1). 

+ No. 12 Oak Creek (2-2): The Knights have struggled to limit teams’ offenses in the early going, giving up nine and 12 runs in their losses. A walk-off grand slam from 1B/RHP Matthew Risser (2023; Bryant & Stratton JC, WI) gave Oak Creek their second win of the season against No. 13 St. Thomas More, putting up a quality win on their resume. 

+ No. 15 Mosinee (3-1): The Indians ran into a hot pitcher in their first game against Medford, struggling to compete with the likes of RHP Logan Baumgartner (2023), who was electric in Mosinee’s only loss of the season. In their three wins though, the Indians have racked up three shutouts, as they make their way to The Rock this weekend for the PBR Wisconsin High School Invitational.

+ No. 20 Stevens Point Area (3-1): Struggles on the offensive end of the ball have dropped the Panthers in our rankings, aside from an 11-0 win over DC Everest. Their lone loss came against DC Everest as well, dropping Game Two of the series 5-3, due in part to a stellar performance from RHP Nate Langbehn (2024; Wichita State commit).

+ No. 24 Bay Port (3-3): The Pirates, coming into 2023 with high expectations, have struggled early in accumulating wins as a team. They’ve dropped half of their games so far, losing to Neenah, 7-6; No. 22 De Pere, 14-11; and Ashwaubenon, 8-1. The schedule does not get easier for Bay Port coming up here, including Notre Dame Academy and Manitowoc Lincoln this week, but gives them an opportunity to get some quality wins under their belt to make up for their early woes.

WELCOME… 

+ No. 17 Sun Prairie West (6-0): The Wolves have gotten off to a blazing start to begin the 2023 season, going 6-0 in the first three weeks. Leading the way has been the play of INF/RHP Jackson Hunley (2023; Lewis University commit) and DH/C Jaiden Jung (2023; MATC commit). Hunley has stood out on both sides of the field, becoming the workhorse of this squad, throwing 12 innings and allowing zero earned runs, striking out 19. At the plate, the righty went 11-for-20, including three doubles and a triple. Jung enters the week hitting .500 with 10 hits and 12 RBIs. In their six wins, OF Peyton Schumann (2023; MATC commit) has been a big piece to this lineup as well, slashing .500 with seven RBIs for Sun Prairie West. Among others on the pitching staff is RHP Brady Rhoads (2024) and RHP/SS Casey Wambach (2025), two additions behind Hunley. Rhoads, the Wolves’ who’s also a quarterback prospect, dominated in his outing against Beloit Memorial, going six innings and punching out 11. Wambach has taken on a closer role for Sun Prairie West early here, in addition to his role as the starting shortstop. He has struck out six batters in three innings of work, allowing only one earned run. The Wolves will continue the grind in the Big 8 Conference this week, including a key matchup against Verona on Thursday.

+ No. 19 Sun Prairie East (6-0): Senior Jack Watkins is a football standout, and he’s also leading the Cardinals with nine hits, tied with sophomore Max Glusick. Glusick leads the team with 10 RBIs as well. Isaac Wendler (2024) is reaching base nearly 64 percent of the time, and he’s tied with Sam Ostrenga (2024) for a team-high 11 runs scored. Ostrenga has two doubles this season as well, and he’s snagged nine stolen bases already. Junior LHP Zach Brzezinski has been dominant with 16 Ks in 12 innings, and he’s allowed just one run on nine hits, five walks. Junior RHP Drew Kavanaugh is another multi-sport standout on this roster, and he’s been similarly overpowering this spring, with 17 Ks in 12 innings, and a 2.92 ERA thus far.

+ No. 22 De Pere (5-0): The Redbirds have been another one of the state’s hottest offenses and they’re on the Power 25 for the first time in 2023 as a result. So far, De Pere has scored 56 runs in five games and racked up 66 hits along the way and they’re slugging .718 as a team. Leading the way is junior 1B Landon Raygo (uncommitted), who has tallied six extra-base hits this season so far, including four home runs and 13 RBIs. But he’s not the only one – fellow juniors OF/RHP Easton Arendt (uncommitted), SS/3B Javin Gauthier (Illinois State), and DH/1B Milo Upton (uncommitted) have each been churning in runs. Arendt has a team-high 12 hits (five XBH); Gauthier has seven hits, three triples, and seven RBIs; Upton has homered twice this season already. Also, senior C/3B Bryan Gerbers (Crown College) is one of three Redbirds hitting over .500 this season (.571), and he’s recorded seven RBIs in five games. De Pere has scored wins over Power 25-ranked Bay Port, 14-11, and they’re fresh off a two-game sweep of conference rivals Green Bay Preble, which has helped them earn their place on this board.

Javin Gauthier (2/25/23)

+ No. 25 Wisconsin Lutheran (7-0): The Vikings are off to a flying start, with seven straight wins to start the season, and they’re averaging 11 runs a game as an offense, meanwhile they’ve only allowed 11 runs so far in the spring in total. As expected, star junior SS Eddie Rynders (Kent State) is translating his strong performance at the Milwaukee Preseason ID into his high school season, where he’s 11-for-21 this season with a team-high 11 RBIs, three triples, and seven steals. He’s also K’d 13 of the 21 batters he faced in six shutout innings against Pius XI earlier in the season, boosting WISCO’s staff as a whole. Senior OF Logan Abramowski (uncommitted) has been a productive two-way member of this roster, with five extra-base hits already this season that have helped him drive in 10 runs, score 12 times, and he, too, has been excellent on the mound, with 12 Ks in six innings so far. Junior RHP/INF Jake Ross (uncommitted) is a competitive pitcher, and he’s totaled 16 punch-outs in just nine innings so far, with only two earned runs, scattering nine hits, three walks, and he also has eight hits this spring as well as seven RBIs. Wisconsin Lutheran will be tested right away with a visit to No. 2 Marquette on Tuesday.


Eddie Rynders (3/18/23)

DROPPED OUT

With these four teams debuting in this update, four had to make way: Pewaukee (6-2), Waterford Union (5-1), Altoona (3-1), and Brookfield Central (3-3). It might not be long before we see some, or even all, return to the top-25, however. 

Pewaukee righted the ship after a sluggish start to the season, with two-game conference sweeps of traditional rivals Greendale, as well as a talented New Berlin Eisenhower squad. Waterford is struggling to hold opposing offenses at bay, which caught up with them in Burlington, but they’re 5-1 otherwise with a 5-4 win over No. 5 Union Grove. Altoona has won three of four, but an Opening Day loss to Holmen was enough to warrant some Division 2 shifting which affected this week’s Power 25 update. And Brookfield Central has had an up-and-down start, 3-3 overall, but we expect their offense to warm up as the weather does, eventually.

ON THE BUBBLE

  • Muskego (3-0)

  • Ashwaubenon (4-1)

  • Burlington (6-4)

  • Oconomowoc (2-1)

  • Jefferson (7-0)

  • Dodgeville (6-0)

  • Wisconsin Rapids (7-0)

  • Manitowoc Lincoln (5-0)

  • Columbus (6-0)

  • Kettle Moraine Lutheran (7-1)

  • Cuba City (4-0)

  • La Crosse Aquinas (5-0)

  • Kenosha St. Joseph (1-1)

  • Beaver Dam (5-2)

  • Reedsburg (4-1)

FOLLOW THE 2023 WIAA SEASON

+ Power 25 Homepage
+ Daily Roundup
+ Player of the Week

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