This story is sponsored by: Marshfield Chaparrals Baseball
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
Marshfield had three first-team selections and two honorable mention choices on the 2015 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Baseball Team, as voted on by the conference coaches.
Senior first baseman Sam Klein was a unanimous first-team selection for Marshfield and joins junior shortstop Trevor Schwecke and senior outfielder Caleb Alexander on the first team.
Klein led the conference in RBIs and was fourth in batting average, a tribute to his hard work, Marshfield coach Mark Zee said.
“Sam had a really big conference season,” Zee said. “We had some walk-off wins, and he always seemed to be in the middle of it. He is a kid that has played a lot of ball and worked at his game. He is a real humble kid and was kind of surprised by being on the first team as a unanimous pick.”
Alexander led the WVC in stolen bases, but Zee said he and Schwecke were rewarded because of their stellar defensive play.
“One of the things coaches took notice of Trevor was his defensive skills,” Zee said. “He’s a real true shortstop.
“Caleb was not up there in the conference as far as hitting, but he could track down a lot of balls and took gap shots away from other kids a lot. You do that a number of times, the other coaches noticed.”
Senior pitcher Jack Donahue and senior outfielder Matt Meyer were honorable mention picks for the Tigers.
Marshfield finished 8-4 and in second place in the Wisconsin Valley Conference after a 0-4 start to the schedule.
The Tigers swept Wisconsin Rapids, Merrill, D.C. Everest and Wausau East in their final eight conference games by a combined score of 54-19.
Stevens Point pitcher/infielder Noel Winch was named Player of the Year.
2015 All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Baseball Team
First Team
Infielders: *Sam Klein, sr., Marshfield; *Trevor Anderson, jr., Stevens Point; Noel Winch, sr., Stevens Point; Trevor Schwecke, jr., Marshfield.
Outfielders: *Payton Nelson, so., Wausau West; Caleb Alexander, sr., Marshfield; Matt White, sr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Catcher: D.J. Drohner, sr., Stevens Point.
Pitchers: *Alex Lee, sr., Stevens Point; Noel Winch, sr., Stevens Point.
Utility: Charlie Hessil, sr., Wausau West.
*unanimous selection
Second Team
Infielders: Ted Kearney, jr., Stevens Point; Ben Schubring, sr., Wausau East; Alex Osness, sr., Wausau West; Jared Halbur, sr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Outfielders: Brady Uekert, jr., D.C. Everest; Keenan Stellingworth, sr., Merrill; Andrew Ruzek, sr., Stevens Point.
Catcher: Mason Reinhardt, sr., Merrill.
Pitchers: Luke Strick, sr., Wausau East; Garrett Hohn, jr., Wausau West.
Honorable Mention
Infielders: Bryce Behrens, jr., D.C. Everest; Jordan Steinagel, jr., D.C. Everest; Jacob Ligenza, sr., Stevens Point; Tanner Case, jr., Wisconsin Rapids; Nick Jackan, sr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Outfielders: Mike Plaza, sr., D.C. Everest; Tre Lemmer, jr., D.C. Everest; Matt Meyer, sr., Marshfield; T.J. Schrank, sr., Stevens Point; Brennan Becker, sr., Wausau East; Jacob Raeder, sr., Wausau West.
Catcher: Logan Langbehn, jr., D.C. Everest.
Pitchers: Jack Donahue, sr., Marshfield; Justin Pyan, sr., Merrill; Logan Grunenwald, so., Wausau West; Dylan Schudy, jr., Wisconsin Rapids.
Player of the Year: Noel Winch, Stevens Point.