Dugout Chatter with Barneveld's Josh Slaney

Dugout Chatter with De Pere's Mikole Pierce

Dugout Chatter with Sauk Prairie's Sam Koenig

Dugout Chatter with Madison Edgewood's Kyle Haen

Baseball Commit List for Class of 2010

Pre-Season Baseball Coaches Poll

Dugout Chatter with La Crosse Central's Bobby Juan

Dugout Chatter with Pecatonica's Devin Jeglum

Dugout Chatter with Sun Prairie's Michael Handel

Paulin to be inducted in WBCA Hall of Fame

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Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net

"Dugout Chatter" is a behind the scenes look at your favorite prep baseball player.

Name: Josh Slaney
School: Barneveld
Year: Senior
GPA: 3.866
Favorite subject: mathematics
Position: Catcher
Other sports: football, basketball
I got my start in sports: wrestling in the first grade. I started playing baseball in fifth grade but I was practicing with my dad in the backyard before that. I started playing football and basketball in fourth grade.
Baseball highlights: three-time letterwinner and three-year starter at catcher … earned two-time All-Six Rivers East Conference first-team honors … earned all-district honorable mention honors as a utility player and Academic all-state and all-district honors as a junior … drove in game-winning runs in both 2009 sectional games with triples … Barneveld won the Six Rivers East Conference title his sophomore year and a regional title his sophomore season.
2009 stats: batted . 410 (34-for-83) with 28 runs scored, nine doubles, four triples and two home runs and 40 RBI … also had one hit-by-pitch, five sacrifices, 10 walks and a .449 on-base percentage and .687 slugging percentage.
Career stats: hitting .413 with 13 doubles, five triples, two home runs, 25 stolen bases and 55 RBI with a .463 on-base percentage ... Barneveld has a 53-15 record during his prep varsity career.
2009 team highlights: Eagles was second in Six Rivers East Conference with a 9-3 record to finish 22-4 overall … won regional and sectional titles and lost in WIAA Division 4 state semifinals.
Other sports honors: three-time letterwinner in football … co-captain as a senior … earned Northern Badger Conference second-team honors as a wide receiver with 38 catches for 515 yards and five touchdowns and honorable mention honors at defensive back with 48 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions as a senior … two-time letterwinner in basketball as a guard … earned All-Six Rivers East Conference honorable mention honors as a junior.
This and that: Class president as a junior and senior … National Honor Society … ranks fourth in senior class … Prom King … volunteer work includes coaching Tri-county seventh grade boys basketball team.
I like playing baseball because: I like my teammates and coaches and it’s a nice team sport. I like the camaraderie with everybody.
Team bonding moments: We went to Pizza Hut after some of our games and played at the La Crosse Loggers Stadium against Kickapoo.
Favorite athlete: Brett Favre
Favorite teams: Badgers, Packers, Brewers
Favorite Brewer: Prince Fielder
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite baseball movie: The Rookie
Favorite TV show: Friday Night Lights
Favorite fast food: Subway; Taco Bell
Favorite opponent: Pecatonica
Favorite web site: wissports.net
Favorite place to visit: Virginia Beach
I want to visit: The Bahamas
Baseball Stadium to visit: Busch Stadium in St. Louis
One word to describe me: hard-working
I can’t live without: my friends and family
I want to meet: Brett Favre
Dream date: Carrie Underwood
Role model: my dad, Patrick Slaney
My family also includes: my step mom, Nancy Sutter, mom, Liz Field, brother, Jacob, sisters, Anne and Rachel, and step sisters, Katie and Erin Sutter.
Nickname: Slane Train
I drive: a 2002 Ford F-150 truck
Dream ride: a Mustang or Harley
I like Barneveld High School because: it is a small-community environment and everybody knows everybody which works out really well.
On my iPod: lots of country, some rock, Nickelback, Montgomery Gentry
I get my news: TV
Fantasy: I wish I could play water polo.
My perfect day: go to the Super Bowl or Final four with my friends
Hobbies: playing cards with my friends, swimming at Birch Lake, hunting
Post-high school plans: attend college to major in Agricultural Engineering and possibly play baseball.
Colleges already accept to: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State and University of Wisconsin-Madison
Career goal: design equipment
Outlook on life: “Hard work can beat talent if talent isn’t willing to work hard.”
Did you know? I was in our school’s drama play.
 
If you have a prep baseball player you would like to read about, send your nomination to Dennis Semrau at: dsemrau@madison.com or (608) 513-5550.

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Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net

"Dugout Chatter" is a behind the scenes look at your favorite prep baseball player.

Name: Mikole Pierce
School: De Pere
Year: Senior
GPA: 3.85
Favorite subject: History
Position: shortstop
Other sports: basketball
I got my start in sports: hitting Whiffle balls in the front yard with my dad when I was four or five years old … started playing basketball in first grade.
Baseball highlights: will move to shortstop his senior year … team’s clean-up hitter and starting center fielder as a junior when he earned Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association all-state honorable mention honors … also earned WBCA all-district and Fox River Classic Conference first-team honors … as a sophomore, he earned WBCA all-district honorable mention and all-conference first team honors at second base … started in right field as a freshman, earned Southern Lakes Conference second-team honors playing for Union Grove … earned team’s Most Valuable Player on Offense award as a sophomore and junior.
2009 stats: batted .441 with 13 doubles, three home runs, 28 walks, 27 runs scored and 24 RBI and recorded a .606 on-base percentage.
2009 team highlights: won Fox River Classic Conference and regional titles, finishing with a 20-2 conference record and 23-4 overall record … lost to Kimberly 1-0 in sectional semifinals.
Other sports: played basketball on the Junior Varsity team as a freshman and sophomore.
I wish I could still play: basketball
This and that: born in Green Bay, moved to Dillsburg, Penn. and then to Union Grove before moving to De Pere before sophomore year … drives to Racine every Sunday to work with personal hitting coach Jack Schiestle at the Haben/Jensen Hitting Center … played American Legion baseball for two years … member of DREAM team (Drug Resistance Equals Achieving More) … member of High Honor Roll throughout high school … volunteer work includes coaching youth baseball.
I like playing baseball because: of the one-on-one factor, it’s you against the pitcher. In some sports, you can’t fail but in baseball you looking to succeed a minimal amount of time and move to the next level.
Team bonding moments: We had a stretching circle in the outfield every day where we’re joking around. The most memorable time is those moments.
Favorite athlete: Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria.
Favorite team: Cincinnati Reds
Favorite Brewer: Ryan Braun
Favorite former Brewer: Racine native Vinny Rottino
Favorite movie: Hardball
Favorite TV show: King of the Hill
Favorite meal: tacos
Favorite fast food: Sonic
Favorite opponent: Bay Port
Favorite web sites: Facebook; wissports.net
Favorite place to visit: San Diego
I want to visit: Yankee Stadium
One word to describe me: dynamic
I can’t live without: my Troy baseball hat
I want to meet: Cal Ripken Jr.
Dream date: Jennifer Aniston
Role models: Jack Schiestle, Vinny Rottino and my parents, Donn and Mary Pierce
My family also includes: my older brothers, Jon and Jake.
Nickname: Mickey
I drive: a 2000 Toyota Avalon
Dream car: an Escalade
I like De Pere High School because: its size because it’s small enough you can know everybody you want to but big enough that you don’t need to know everybody.
On my iPod: Lil Wayne
I get my news: Green Bay Press Gazette
Fantasy: taking batting practice some day with Evan Longoria
My perfect day: take in a college World Series game in Omaha
Most memorable moment in sports: my first baseball game for De Pere I led off and hit the first pitch over the center field fence for a home run.
Hobbies: fishing, watching movies
Post-high school plans: attend NCAA Division I Troy (Ala.) University on a baseball scholarship to study education or sports management.
Career goal: coach and athletic director
Outlook on life: “You have to put in more than you take out.”
Did you know? My name Mikole is a combination of my great-grandfathers’ names, Mike and Ole.
 
If you have a prep baseball player you would like to read about, send your nomination to Dennis Semrau at: dsemrau@madison.com or (608) 513-5550.

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Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net

"Dugout Chatter" is a behind the scenes look at your favorite prep baseball player.

Name: Sam Koenig
School: Sauk Prairie
Year: Senior
GPA: 3.6
Favorite subject: Science
Position: SS/RHP
Other sports: basketball; football
I got my start in sports: shooting a basketball when I was three years old at my brothers’ games. I started playing tee-ball when I was four years old and football in fifth grade.
Baseball highlights: Sam earned Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association all-state second team honors, All-District first-team and All-Northern Badger Conference first team honors as a junior. He also earned the team’s Most Valuable Player award as a junior. The Eagles shared the Northern Badger title his sophomore year.
2009 stats: hit .473 (43-for-91) with nine doubles, one triple and 12 home runs with 35 runs scored and 39 RBI … pitching stats: 5-5 record with two saves and a 2.09 ERA and 68 strikeouts and 12 walks in 67 innings pitched.
2009 team highlights: Sauk Prairie finished 15-12 overall and tied for second place in the Northern Badger Conference with a 7-5 record.
Other sports honors: A two-time tetterwinner and starter in basketball as at forward and shooting guard, he earned Northern Badger Conference honorable mention honors as a junior and is a co-captain as a senior. He played quarterback and linebacker in football as a freshman.
This and that: Volunteer work includes coaching youth baseball and basketball camps.
I like playing baseball because: the focus it takes. You always have to be ready for anything because you never know when the ball is going to be hit to your or when the pitch you want is going to be there.
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite teams Brewers; Packers; Bucks
Favorite Brewer: Ryan Braun
Favorite movie: Stepbrothers
Favorite baseball movie: The Rookie
Favorite TV show: Family Guy
Favorite meal: steak
Favorite fast food: Culver’s
Favorite opponent: Waunakee
Favorite web site: Facebook; wishoops.net
Favorite place to visit: Florida
I want to visit: California
Baseball Stadium to visit: Wrigley Field
One word to describe me: caring
I can’t live without: my family
I wish I could meet: Jackie Robinson
Dream date: Megan Fox
Role model: my brothers, Lucas and Taylor
My family also includes: my parents, Kurt and Pam and our Golden Retriever, Seven.
I drive: a 1998 Chevy Blazer
Dream car: a Dodge Viper
I like Sauk Prairie High School because: it is small enough that you get to know more people.
On my iPod: Hip Hop; Rap; Country; Keith Urban
I get my news: TV; Internet
My perfect day: attend a Milwaukee Brewers World Series game with my family and friends in a warm location
Hobbies: hunting; golfing; playing tennis
Post-high school plans: attend UW-Milwaukee on a baseball scholarship to study education
Career goal: teacher and coach
Outlook on life: “Live your life to the fullest. You never know when it will be taken away.”
Did you know? He was invited to an international Home Run Derby in Tampa, Florida but was injured.

If you have a prep baseball player you would like to read about, send your nomination to Dennis Semrau at: dsemrau@madison.com or (608) 513-5550.

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Dennis Semrau
Wissports.net

"Dugout Chatter" is a behind the scenes look at your favorite prep baseball player.

Name: Kyle Haen
School: Madison Edgewood
Year: Senior
GPA: 3.8
Favorite subject: History
Position: OF/LHP
Other sports: football, basketball
I got my start in sports: playing catch and hitting off a tee with my dad in the back yard when I was three years old. He played for the University of Wisconsin and my dream growing up was to be like day. I started playing basketball in fourth grade and football in fifth grade.
I wish I could still play: football.
Baseball highlights: three-time letterwinner and three-year starting outfielder and pitcher … As a junior, Kyle started in center field and batted lead-off … earned All-Area, All-Southern Badger Conference and All-City first team honors … his sophomore year he earned all-conference honorable mention recognition … played fall baseball his sophomore and senior years … played for the Cincinnati Reds Scout team last fall and for the 2009 Midwest Blazers summer team.
2009 stats: hit .370 with 30 runs scored and 29 RBI and a .554 slugging percentage for Edgewood in 2009.
2009 team highlights: Crusaders won the 2009 WIAA Division 2 state championship with a 25-4 record … Edgewood also shared Southern Badger Conference title with a 10-2 record.
Other sports honors: lettered as a wide receiver in football as a junior and played point guard in basketball on the freshman team.
This and that: played for Team Wisconsin in the Midwest Classic Baseball Tournament last summer in Plainfield, Ill. … Perfect Game Top Prospect his sophomore year … played for the Baseball Factory National Sophomore team.
I like playing baseball because: it’s a team sport and you can have a lot of fun. I’ve enjoyed playing it because everyone is involved and it’s not a one-man game.
Team bonding moments: on Tuesday’s sometimes we’d go to Quaker State for all-you-can-eat wings and on Wednesdays we’d go to Pizza Hut for the buffet
Favorite athlete: Willie Mays.
Favorite team: Milwaukee Brewers
Favorite Brewer: Alcides Escobar
Favorite movie: Crash
Favorite baseball movie: The Rookie.
Favorite TV show: ESPN SportsCenter
Favorite meal: mom’s lasagna
Favorite fast food: Wendy’s
Favorite opponents: Stoughton; Verona
Favorite web site: wissports.net
Favorite place to visit: Florida
I want to visit: Italy
Baseball Stadium to visit: Busch Stadium in St. Louis
One word to describe me: hard-working
I can’t live without: movies
I want to meet:Jackie Robinson
Dream date: Scarlett Johansson
Role model: my dad, Jeff
My family also includes: my mom, Sue, and my sister, Allie.
Nickname: Haener
I drive: a 2002 Lincoln Aviator
Dream car: a Bentley Continental GT
I like Madison Edgewood High School because: it has a good sense of community, everyone is close and the teachers are great and are always there for you no matter what.
On my iPod: Lupe Fiasco
I get my news: newspaper
Fantasy: playing Major League baseball
My perfect day: go to Italy and cruise around Milan and spend the day in the town
Hobbies: playing ping pong, fishing
Post-high school plans: attend University of Iowa on a baseball scholarship to study education.
Career goal: high school or college teacher and coach
Outlook on life: “Give it your all.”
Did you know? I love board games.

If you have a prep baseball player you would like to read about, send your nomination to Dennis Semrau at: dsemrau@madison.com or (608) 513-5550.

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Dennis Semrau
WSN

Known commitments in the class of 2010 as of 03/9/10
(This list will be updated further in the coming days)

Division I

Indiana State
Shane Adler, RHP, Middleton

Iowa
Kyle Haen, OF, Madison Edgewood

Minnesota
Michael Handel, SS, Sun Prairie
Bobby Juan, IF, La Crosse Central

North Dakota
Matt Richer, C, Kenosha Bradford
Zach Ransom, LHP, Madison Memorial

Notre Dame
Donnie Hissa, P, Northwestern

Troy
Mikole Pierce, SS, De Pere

UW-Milwaukee
Ben Burns, LHP, Menomonee Fall
Gunnar Eastman, RHP, Green Bay Southwest
Sam Koenig, SS/RHP, Sauk Prairie
Eric King, RHP, Fond du Lac
Ryan Solberg, 1B, Waukesha West
Tell Taylor, SS, Burlington
Josh Uhen, RHP, Oshkosh North
Zachary Wisowaty, OF/RHP, Cllinton

Division II

Minnesota State-Mankato
Dalton Grove, RHP, Wales (Kettle Moraine)
 
St. Cloud (Minn.) State
Michael Jurgella, C, Plover (Stevens Point Pacelli)
Matt Vola, 2B, St. Croix Falls

Wayne State
Brandon Lalk, OF, Oshkosh North

Winona (Minn.) State
Michael Wasilik, LHP/OF, Oak Creek (Thomas More)
Tyler Zemla, RHP, Oak Creek

Division III
 
 
Junior College

Indian Hills CC
Tyler Sparger, RHP/1B, Eau Claire Memorial


John Logan CC
Kyle McHugh 1B, Rosholt

Iowa Western CC
AJ Gaura, RHP, Bay Port
Paul Pascal, RHP, Merrill

Wabash Valley CC
Conor Fisk, RHP, Grafton

If you have any additions or corrections, send them to dsemrau@madison.com

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