Riverdogs land three, Flames, one, on All-Division Team
The Howards Grove Riverdogs’ P.J. Weber and brothers Peter and Nick Reschke, and the Plymouth Flames’ Paul Gloede were selected Land O’ Lakes Baseball League All-Northern Division players for the 2009 season.
In voting by the division managers, Weber was named to the team at an outfield spot, Peter Reschke at catcher, Nick Reschke, designated hitter and Gloede at second base.
Peter Reschke ranked fourth in the division batting race with a sizzling .406 average; second in slugging percentage, .638 and home runs, three; and tied for third in RBIs with 18. He scored 15 runs and had an onbase percentage of .475.
Weber hit .338 with 13 RBIs, one homer, 14 runs and a .400 on-base percentage.
Nick Reschke finished sixth in the division in batting with a .379 average and had 13 RBIs, 17 runs, one home run and a .429 on-base percentage.
Gloede hit .333 with nine runs, three RBIs and a .458 on-base percentage.
Four players repeated on the team – third baseman Ross Zahour and outfielders Nolan Gilbertson and Paul Hanschke of Cedarburg and shortstop Kyle Kichura of Port Washington.
Cole Granrath of Saukville, an all-division outfielder, was voted the “Most Valuable Player.” Granrath was the home run champion with four and led in runs, 28, and slugging percentage with an impressive .710. He ranked second in on-base percentage with .565 and stolen bases, 11, and had 14 RBIs.
Granrath was also named the division’s Top Player in the LOL all-star game.
Saukville’s Casey Johnson, an all-division pick, was voted the “Most Valuable Pitcher.” Johnson led the division in ERA with a sparkling 1.36 and complete games, seven, and posted a 6-3 record. He was second in strikeouts with 70 and allowed only 76 hits in 86 innings.
Chris Laurishke of Port Washington was named the “Rookie Player of the Year.” Laurishke batted .373 and tied for second in the division with 19 RBIs.
Tyler Geidel of Thiensville-Mequon earned “Rookie Pitcher of the Year” honors. Geidel was 3-2 with a 4.04 ERA.
Justin Behm, who guided Port Washington to the regular-season division title, was voted the “Manager of the Year.”
Zach Prideaux of Thiensville-Mequon, the all-division utility player, was the batting champion with a terrific .439 average. Prideaux also led in on-base percentage at .571.
Jon DeBoer, an all-division pitcher, was honored for his no-hit, no-run game this past season.
Mike Daniels, representing Cedarburg, was voted the division’s “Fan of the Year.”
Randy Schmitz was selected the Flames’ “Fan of the Year.” Chuck Reschke, father of Peter and Nick Reschke, was named the Riverdogs’ “Fan of the Year.”
Port Washington received the Jake Oelhafen Championship Trophy for winning the regular-season division crown. The Cedarburg Mercs earned the tournament championship award and runner-up award for the regular season. The Mercs also represented the division in the league grand championship playoffs.
Saukville captured third-place honors for the regular season.
Port Washington leads in all-division picks with four.
Center fielder Eric Heidenreiter was chosen the Flames’ Gold Glove winner for outstanding defense during the LOL season. The Riverdogs’ Gold Glove went to outfielder-infielder Chris Daun.
The recipient of the Commissioner’s Award will be announced later.
Cedarburg led the division in team batting with an outstanding .332. Howards tied for fourth with Saukville at .284, and Plymouth ranked sixth with .254.
Saukville was the team ERA leader with an excellent 2.57. The Riverdogs finished third with 3.48 and the Flames ranked sixth at 5.77.
Heidenreiter was the stolen-base leader with 12. Tony Wheaton of Saukville led in RBIs with 26.
Steve Hopfensperger paced the division in victories with seven (7-3 record) and strikeouts, 81, in 82-2/3 innings.
Awards winners will be recognized at the annual Northern Division awards banquet Saturday at the Circle B Recreation Center in Cedarburg. Social hour is at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. with the awards presentations to follow.
Banquet tickets may be purchased from any local team manager or by calling Greg Ebbert at 262-242- 0384.
All-Northern Division
Baseball Team
P – Casey Johnson….…………….Saukville
P – Jon DeBoer….……...Port Washington
C – Peter Reschke….....Howards Grove
1B – Chris Laurishke…...Port Washington
2B – Paul Gloede..……………….Plymouth
3B – Nick Heiting……......Port Washington
3B – Ross Zahour………….….....Cedarburg
SS – Kyle Kichura………..Port Washington
OF – Cole Granrath…………..……..Saukville
OF – Nolan Gilbertson……...…..Cedarburg
OF – Paul Hanschke……………..Cedarburg
OF – P.J. Weber…….……..Howards Grove
DH – Nick Reschke….…..Howards Grove
Util.– Zach Prideaux...Thiensville-Mequon___________________________
