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Mar. 30—ROCHESTER — It's baseball season in southeastern Minnesota once again, and Rochester Century, John Marshall, Mayo, Lourdes and Schaeffer Academy are ready to roll.
Keep reading to find out how each team stacks up:
Head coach: Logan Milene (1st season). Assistants: Jake Halverson, Alex Holets, Matteo Finocchi, Gavin Milene, Peyton Milene.
Last season: The Panthers finished 12-13 overall and 7-9 in Big Nine Conference play.
Top returners: Jack Esau (Sr. OF/P); Maddox Milene (Sr. OF/P); Carter Simonson (Sr. IF); Brendon Wegner (Sr. 3B/P).
Season outlook: The Panthers are entering a new era as former North Iowa Area Community College and Eastern Michigan baseball player Logan Milene takes over as head coach at his alma mater. Century lost to Farmington in last season's Section 1, Class 4A tournament (double elimination) championship game after downing Mayo and New Prague in the first two rounds and Lakeville North in the elimination bracket. Senior outfielder/pitcher Jack Esau is expected make an impact this season after putting up a .338 batting average on 27 hits combined with a 3.11 ERA and six strikeouts through nine innings pitched. Senior outfielder/pitcher Maddox Milene saw the mound when he came in to relieve Winona State University player and Century grad Mike Ruff. Milene averaged .319 on 23 hits and boasted a 2.73 ERA and 22 strikeouts across 25 2/3 innings. Other key contributors will be senior infielder Carter Simonson, who averaged .310 on 18 hits as a junior and senior third baseman/pitcher Brendon Wegner, who pitched 18 1/3 innings and recorded a 5.34 ERA and 15 strikeouts last season.
Coach Milene says: "Senior-heavy team. We have arms to keep us in every game. Offensively, we are deep from the top down. Good group of kids. New coaching staff."
Head coach: Tyler Zemla (5th season). Assistants: Jake French, Aaron Hegrenes, Matt Deters, Joe Baker (JV), Garrett Morris (9th grade).
Last season: The Rockets finished 6-15 overall, 3-13 in Big Nine action.
Top returners: Dylan Endle (Sr. 1B/SS/P); Cooper Aschoff (Sr. CF/P); Caden Endle (So. 2B/P); Bennett Timpane (So. RF); Isaac Leth (Jr. P/1B).
Season outlook: After falling to Farmington and Lakeville North in the Section 1, Class 4A tournament last season, the Rockets are looking to compete every day. They have a good mix of veterans and newcomers, including third-year varsity starter, senior first baseman/shortstop/pitcher Dylan Endle. Endle, a 2024 All-Big Nine and All-Section selection, is the most experienced pitcher on the team. He led the team in runs scored last season and had a 2-0 record on the mound through 11 1/3 innings. Senior center fielder/pitcher Cooper Aschoff, another three-year starter, is expected to see more time on the mound this spring. He notched a team-best 11 RBI last season. Sophomore right fielder Bennett Timpane was on JV for most of last season, but was pulled up to varsity late, where he started the final four games of the season. After a "great" Legion season last summer, Timpane is expected to be JM's leadoff hitter this spring.
Coach Zemla says: "Our expectations for the year are to be competitive every night on the field and be playing our best baseball by the time playoffs come around. Despite graduating six senior starters from last year's team, this year's group has already shown the will to compete and work toward our team goals. We have some young talent that is eager to get their first taste of varsity baseball. The key to a successful season will be limiting free bases on defense as well as creating runs offensively to ultimately take pressure off our pitchers."
Head coach: David Jenson (7th season). Assistants: Shane Uptagrafft, John-Howard Carroll, Chase Gasner, Bernie Carlson, Nate Smith.
Last season: The Eagles finished 14-9 overall, 6-4 in Hiawatha Valley League games.
Top returners: Easton Gasner (Sr. P/OF, All-Section 1-2A, All-HVL); Nolan Rolih (Sr. OF/P);
Sr. Brayden Kottschade (Sr. P/1B); Owen Streefland (Jr. SS).
Season outlook: The Eagles went 2-2 in the Section 1, Class 2A tournament last season, with losses to Cannon Falls and eventual state champion Pine Island. This spring will bring fresh opportunities for retuners and newbies after Lourdes graduated three players who went on to continue their careers in college, including the 2025 Post Bulletin All-Area Player of the Year Nick Bowron (Creighton University). Senior Easton Gasner will be the Eagles' top pitcher this spring after boasting a 7-1 record on the mound last spring with a 0.98 ERA through 50 innings. University of Minnesota commit Nolan Rolih returns to the Eagles this spring after missing half the season with an injury a year ago. He should be an asset after averaging .343 with five RBI and 12 runs as a junior. Senior and Southeastern Community College commit Brayden Kottschade will be Lourdes' No. 2 on the mound. Kottschade went 1-2 through 21 innings with a 3.33 ERA and 31 strikeouts last spring. Junior Owen Streefland will move from second base to shortstop this season. He batted .226 with six RBI and 14 runs and went 1-0 on the mound as a sophomore. Jenson said, "Owen is a great defensive player and will be a table setter for our offense. He will also pitch some big innings in relief this season."
Coach Dave Jenson says: "We are looking forward to a great season. Our team graduated three starters last year who all signed to play college baseball, but our players who are returning in the program have really stepped up during the off-season. Our team strength will be our team defense, throwing strikes on the mound, and competing hard every day. The boys are a close group of guys who play for each other like brothers and we hope to keep improving throughout the regular season, peaking in time for playoffs."
Head coach: Tom Senne (11th season). Assistants: Dan Hoefs, Shawn Leimbek, Travis Krahn, Jeff Anderson, Joe Magee, Mason Prigge, Brent Lichty.
Last season: The Spartans finished 14-8 overall, 11-4 in Big Nine play.
Top returners: Gavin Werneburg (Sr. P/1B/OF); Lincoln Majerus (Sr. 2B); Brennan Bakken (Sr. CF); Luke Bicknese (Sr. P/1B); John Mueller (Sr. P/OF); Kyle Leopold (Sr. P/3B/SS); Mason Hinchley (Sr. C/OF/IF).
Season outlook: The Spartans are ready to start fresh after a "disappointing" end to their season a year ago, going 0-2 in the Section 1, Class 4A tournament with losses to Century and Owatonna. Despite their abrupt postseason exit, they had a superb showing in the regular season and hope to channel that energy once again. Mayo graduated nine seniors last season and will be an upperclassmen-dominated group once again. It will be led by seven seniors, including pitcher/third baseman/shortstop Kyle Leopold, who earned All-Big Nine and Post Bulletin All-Area Team honors last season. On the mound, Leopold paired a 4-0 record with a 0.55 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. He also batted .359. Werneburg, one of the Spartans' top returning hitters, averaged 0.255 through 51 at-bats with 10 RBI and 13 hits as a junior. He recorded 14 strikeouts and a 4.109 ERA in 15 1/3 innings pitched.
Coach Tom Senne says: "We look to rebound from a disappointing finish last year. We have a strong core of seniors that have plenty of big game experience. We have added some tools to the toolbox and are eager to see players take a step forward in their development. We look for another competitive season and hope to hit our stride at the right time. It is a very good group of players."
Head coach: Justin Osborne (3rd season). Assistants: Greg Visser.
Last season: The Lions finished 0-14 overall and in Southeast Conference games.
Top returners: Henry Osborne (So. P); Grady Boldt (So. P); Payton Gora (Fr. P).
Season outlook: It's been three seasons since the Lions did not field a baseball team, and they are feeling optimistic for this spring as things continue to trend upward for the program. They hope to improve upon their past couple of winless seasons with a young but promising roster. The Lions seem to have plenty of pitching depth in sophomore Henry Osborne, who batted .272 and threw 27 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched last year, along with sophomore Grady Boldt, who had 22 strikeouts across 16 innings and freshman Payton Gora, who recorded a 5.3 ERA as an eighth grader.
Coach Justin Osborne says: "While our team is still very young, this is the best we have looked in years. Our pitching is developing nicely, our hitting has significantly improved, and we have some very talented young players joining the team for the first time. Even though our oldest players are only 10th graders, we expect to be competing for wins this season."
Continue reading...
Keep reading to find out how each team stacks up:
Head coach: Logan Milene (1st season). Assistants: Jake Halverson, Alex Holets, Matteo Finocchi, Gavin Milene, Peyton Milene.
Last season: The Panthers finished 12-13 overall and 7-9 in Big Nine Conference play.
Top returners: Jack Esau (Sr. OF/P); Maddox Milene (Sr. OF/P); Carter Simonson (Sr. IF); Brendon Wegner (Sr. 3B/P).
Season outlook: The Panthers are entering a new era as former North Iowa Area Community College and Eastern Michigan baseball player Logan Milene takes over as head coach at his alma mater. Century lost to Farmington in last season's Section 1, Class 4A tournament (double elimination) championship game after downing Mayo and New Prague in the first two rounds and Lakeville North in the elimination bracket. Senior outfielder/pitcher Jack Esau is expected make an impact this season after putting up a .338 batting average on 27 hits combined with a 3.11 ERA and six strikeouts through nine innings pitched. Senior outfielder/pitcher Maddox Milene saw the mound when he came in to relieve Winona State University player and Century grad Mike Ruff. Milene averaged .319 on 23 hits and boasted a 2.73 ERA and 22 strikeouts across 25 2/3 innings. Other key contributors will be senior infielder Carter Simonson, who averaged .310 on 18 hits as a junior and senior third baseman/pitcher Brendon Wegner, who pitched 18 1/3 innings and recorded a 5.34 ERA and 15 strikeouts last season.
Coach Milene says: "Senior-heavy team. We have arms to keep us in every game. Offensively, we are deep from the top down. Good group of kids. New coaching staff."
Head coach: Tyler Zemla (5th season). Assistants: Jake French, Aaron Hegrenes, Matt Deters, Joe Baker (JV), Garrett Morris (9th grade).
Last season: The Rockets finished 6-15 overall, 3-13 in Big Nine action.
Top returners: Dylan Endle (Sr. 1B/SS/P); Cooper Aschoff (Sr. CF/P); Caden Endle (So. 2B/P); Bennett Timpane (So. RF); Isaac Leth (Jr. P/1B).
Season outlook: After falling to Farmington and Lakeville North in the Section 1, Class 4A tournament last season, the Rockets are looking to compete every day. They have a good mix of veterans and newcomers, including third-year varsity starter, senior first baseman/shortstop/pitcher Dylan Endle. Endle, a 2024 All-Big Nine and All-Section selection, is the most experienced pitcher on the team. He led the team in runs scored last season and had a 2-0 record on the mound through 11 1/3 innings. Senior center fielder/pitcher Cooper Aschoff, another three-year starter, is expected to see more time on the mound this spring. He notched a team-best 11 RBI last season. Sophomore right fielder Bennett Timpane was on JV for most of last season, but was pulled up to varsity late, where he started the final four games of the season. After a "great" Legion season last summer, Timpane is expected to be JM's leadoff hitter this spring.
Coach Zemla says: "Our expectations for the year are to be competitive every night on the field and be playing our best baseball by the time playoffs come around. Despite graduating six senior starters from last year's team, this year's group has already shown the will to compete and work toward our team goals. We have some young talent that is eager to get their first taste of varsity baseball. The key to a successful season will be limiting free bases on defense as well as creating runs offensively to ultimately take pressure off our pitchers."
Head coach: David Jenson (7th season). Assistants: Shane Uptagrafft, John-Howard Carroll, Chase Gasner, Bernie Carlson, Nate Smith.
Last season: The Eagles finished 14-9 overall, 6-4 in Hiawatha Valley League games.
Top returners: Easton Gasner (Sr. P/OF, All-Section 1-2A, All-HVL); Nolan Rolih (Sr. OF/P);
Sr. Brayden Kottschade (Sr. P/1B); Owen Streefland (Jr. SS).
Season outlook: The Eagles went 2-2 in the Section 1, Class 2A tournament last season, with losses to Cannon Falls and eventual state champion Pine Island. This spring will bring fresh opportunities for retuners and newbies after Lourdes graduated three players who went on to continue their careers in college, including the 2025 Post Bulletin All-Area Player of the Year Nick Bowron (Creighton University). Senior Easton Gasner will be the Eagles' top pitcher this spring after boasting a 7-1 record on the mound last spring with a 0.98 ERA through 50 innings. University of Minnesota commit Nolan Rolih returns to the Eagles this spring after missing half the season with an injury a year ago. He should be an asset after averaging .343 with five RBI and 12 runs as a junior. Senior and Southeastern Community College commit Brayden Kottschade will be Lourdes' No. 2 on the mound. Kottschade went 1-2 through 21 innings with a 3.33 ERA and 31 strikeouts last spring. Junior Owen Streefland will move from second base to shortstop this season. He batted .226 with six RBI and 14 runs and went 1-0 on the mound as a sophomore. Jenson said, "Owen is a great defensive player and will be a table setter for our offense. He will also pitch some big innings in relief this season."
Coach Dave Jenson says: "We are looking forward to a great season. Our team graduated three starters last year who all signed to play college baseball, but our players who are returning in the program have really stepped up during the off-season. Our team strength will be our team defense, throwing strikes on the mound, and competing hard every day. The boys are a close group of guys who play for each other like brothers and we hope to keep improving throughout the regular season, peaking in time for playoffs."
Head coach: Tom Senne (11th season). Assistants: Dan Hoefs, Shawn Leimbek, Travis Krahn, Jeff Anderson, Joe Magee, Mason Prigge, Brent Lichty.
Last season: The Spartans finished 14-8 overall, 11-4 in Big Nine play.
Top returners: Gavin Werneburg (Sr. P/1B/OF); Lincoln Majerus (Sr. 2B); Brennan Bakken (Sr. CF); Luke Bicknese (Sr. P/1B); John Mueller (Sr. P/OF); Kyle Leopold (Sr. P/3B/SS); Mason Hinchley (Sr. C/OF/IF).
Season outlook: The Spartans are ready to start fresh after a "disappointing" end to their season a year ago, going 0-2 in the Section 1, Class 4A tournament with losses to Century and Owatonna. Despite their abrupt postseason exit, they had a superb showing in the regular season and hope to channel that energy once again. Mayo graduated nine seniors last season and will be an upperclassmen-dominated group once again. It will be led by seven seniors, including pitcher/third baseman/shortstop Kyle Leopold, who earned All-Big Nine and Post Bulletin All-Area Team honors last season. On the mound, Leopold paired a 4-0 record with a 0.55 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. He also batted .359. Werneburg, one of the Spartans' top returning hitters, averaged 0.255 through 51 at-bats with 10 RBI and 13 hits as a junior. He recorded 14 strikeouts and a 4.109 ERA in 15 1/3 innings pitched.
Coach Tom Senne says: "We look to rebound from a disappointing finish last year. We have a strong core of seniors that have plenty of big game experience. We have added some tools to the toolbox and are eager to see players take a step forward in their development. We look for another competitive season and hope to hit our stride at the right time. It is a very good group of players."
Head coach: Justin Osborne (3rd season). Assistants: Greg Visser.
Last season: The Lions finished 0-14 overall and in Southeast Conference games.
Top returners: Henry Osborne (So. P); Grady Boldt (So. P); Payton Gora (Fr. P).
Season outlook: It's been three seasons since the Lions did not field a baseball team, and they are feeling optimistic for this spring as things continue to trend upward for the program. They hope to improve upon their past couple of winless seasons with a young but promising roster. The Lions seem to have plenty of pitching depth in sophomore Henry Osborne, who batted .272 and threw 27 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched last year, along with sophomore Grady Boldt, who had 22 strikeouts across 16 innings and freshman Payton Gora, who recorded a 5.3 ERA as an eighth grader.
Coach Justin Osborne says: "While our team is still very young, this is the best we have looked in years. Our pitching is developing nicely, our hitting has significantly improved, and we have some very talented young players joining the team for the first time. Even though our oldest players are only 10th graders, we expect to be competing for wins this season."
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