Falcons build for future

With only three seniors on the roster, the Sheboygan Falls Falcons baseball team had to rely on youth in many key situations, during the recently completed 2010 season.

The Falcons struggled through a tough non-conference schedule, but were able to keep pace with their Eastern Wisconsin Conference rivals to tie for third place with a 9-9 EWC record (12-23 overall).

After advancing to the sectional finals in each of the past two seasons, a 5-4 loss to Kiel in a WIAA regional final playoff game brought the season to an early close for the Falcons.

“This was a young team that played through a lot of ups and downs,” said fourth-year head coach Todd Struve. “I’m excited about the future of this ball club.”

Struve pointed to defensive mistakes that sometimes turned a close game into a tough loss. He also felt the Falcons lacked the ability to deliver hits in key situations on offense.

“We have a good core of athletes returning,” Struve stated. “All of our pitching is coming back. We’re young and we’ll continue to grow.”

Falls played in a lot of very competitive games in the EWC and were the only team to defeat the EWC champion Kewaskum squad. The Falcons also picked up a big win over New Holstein for the first time in eight years.

“This was a team that battled every game,” remarked Struve. “We didn’t get swept in conference. This could be the team to beat in the upcoming years.”

Although the Falcons will miss seniors Adam Lorenz, Andrew Endsley and Lewis Halverson, Cole Heili (first team All-EWC outfielder), Devin Christenson (second team pitcher) Zach Van Engen (second team infielder) and honorable mention catcher Bobby Musil and utility player Jake Meyer will form a solid core of returnees for next year’s Falls squad.

Endsley was also named to the second team as an outfielder to finish his career.

Heili led the Falcons in hitting with a robust .400 batting average (38-95). He hit five home runs and drove in 32 RBI, with a .513 on-base average and a .663 slugging percentage.

Christenson led the young pitching staff with a 5-3 record. He also placed second with an ERA of 2.73, while tossing 26 strikeouts.

“The team should continue to improve in experience next season,” expressed Struve. “The schedule was hard, but I think this will benefit the team and if they work hard, we’ll be a better team next season.”