Rathsack, Rhude All-EWC first team again

Seniors Jake Rathsack and Greg Rhude of Plymouth were voted to the All-Eastern Wisconsin Conference baseball first team for the second straight season by the league coaches.

The Panthers’ other All-EWC player is junior Trevor Thiel. Rathsack, a first baseman, and Rhude, a shortstop-pitcher, were selected as infielders. Thiel, who played infielder, outfield and pitcher, was named as an infielder.

Rathsack had an outstanding conference season at the plate with a .467 batting average, 28 hits, 19 RBIs and two home runs. He also scored 11 runs, cracked six doubles and stole 10 bases.

“Jake is a solid No. 4 hitter for us or any team,” said Panther head coach Butch Cain.

“He is an offensive threat who continues to improve defensively. We believe he will play at UW-Stevens Point.”

Rhude hit a scorching .436 with 24 hits, 20 RBIs, 16 runs and eight doubles in league action. He also had six steals and 11 walks.

“Greg continues to love and appreciate the game like few others. This young man has a desire to outwork others,” Cain observed.

“He was our most valuable player. Defensively, he made some fantastic plays [at shortstop]. He had a solid senior year and did a lot of things for us.

“He’s a multi-talented player. We believe he will continue to play at Concordia University [in Mequon] next year,” said the coach.

Thiel posted an excellent .396 batting average in EWC play. He had 21 hits, nine RBIs, 17 runs, six doubles and was the Panthers’ leaders in total bases. Thiel also contributed five sacrifice bunts and was hit by pitches three times.

“This young man can play any position. He is our most versatile player and our catalyst,” Cain pointed out.

“He is our best leader and has a passion to do whatever it takes for his team to compete and win games. He has a great concept of the leadoff position in the lineup.”

Also repeating on the first team are junior pitcher Cody Nuernberg of Kewaskum and junior infielder Kevin Gonring of Campbellsport. The unanimous first-team picks include sophomore infielders Brad Boegel and Sam Olla of Kewaskum and senior outfielder Justin Schneider of New Holstein.

Boegel was voted the EWC’s “Player of the Year.” Doug Gonring, who directed Kewaskum to its second consecutive EWC title, was selected the league’s “Coach of the Year” for the second straight season by his peers.

Kewaskum finished 17-1 and set an EWC record for the biggest margin by a baseball champion over the runner-up. New Holstein and Campbellsport, who shared second at 10-8, were seven games behind the Indians.

The Indians have a league-high five first-team players.

All-Eastern Wisconsin Conference Baseball

FIRST TEAM
P – Cody Nuernberg, Kewaskum……....Jr.
P – Jake Entringer, New Holstein……...Jr.
C – Cody Thede, New Holstein…….……Jr.
IF – Brad Boegel, Kewaskum……….…..So.
IF – Sam Olla, Kewaskum…………………So.
IF – Kevin Gonring, Campbell. …………..Jr.
IF – Greg Rhude, Plymouth……………..Sr.
IF – Jake Rathsack, Plymouth……...…Sr.
OF – Justin Schneider, NH….....….....…..Sr.
OF – Sam Braatz, Campbellsport.....…..Sr.
OF – Cody Seibel, Kewaskum….…..……Sr.
OF – Cole Heili, Sheboygan Falls.....…..So.
Util. – Mike Schladweiler, Kew. …………Jr.
SECOND TEAM
P – Matt Serwe, Campbellsport……..Sr.
P – Devin Christenson, S. Falls……..So.
C – Bo Seibel, Kewaskum………..………Jr.
IF – Shane Jacklin, Campbell……………..Jr.

IF – Steve Kudek, Kewaskum……...……Sr.
IF – Jared Schmitz, New Holstein………Sr.
IF – Trevor Thiel, Plymouth……..…....…Jr.
IF – Zach Van Engen, Sheb. Falls………So.
OF – Nate Baumhardt, Campbell. ….....Sr.
OF – Brandon Zolp, Kewaskum….…..…Sr.
OF – Jordan Birschbach, NH…...…….…..Jr.
OF – Andrew Endsely, Sheb. Falls....…..Sr.
Util. – Tim Whitty, Campbellsport………So.
HONORABLE MENTION
P – Luke Kopeschka, Kewaskum…....Jr.
P – Cade Lefeber, New Holstein….…...Jr.
P – Alex Nebel, Two Rivers………….…...Jr.
C – Bobby Musil, Sheb. Falls……..……So.
IF – Cody Retlich, Kiel………………….…....Jr.
IF – Aaron Glysch, Two Rivers……….....So.
OF – David Esswein, Kiel………..………..So.
OF – Cameron Greene, Two Rivers….…Fr.
Util. – D.J. Driscoll, Kiel………………………Jr.
Util. – Jacob Meyer, Sheb. Falls…………Fr.

EASTERN WISCONSIN CONFERENCE BASEBALL

Final Standings
W L
Kewaskum…………………………..……..17 1
New Holstein……………………………...10 8
Campbellsport………………….………… 10 8
Plymouth………………………….…….….9 9
Sheboygan Falls…………………….……..9 9
Kiel……………………………………………...5 13
Two Rivers…………………………………...3 15