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Craig's Yaucher first-team all-state baseball selection

Janesville Craig High School baseball coach Victor Herbst thinks Ben Yaucher is one of the best all-around players to come out of the city in a long time.

The Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association agrees.

Yaucher has been named to the first team on the WBCA all-state selections. The right fielder and 2008 Craig graduate is the first Janesville player to earn first-team recognition from the Coaches Association since shortstop Eric Liebenstein in 1984.

In helping lead the Cougars to a WIAA Division 1 sectional berth this season, Yaucher hit .467 and was named the Big Eight Conference Player of the Year. The Iowa Western College recruit had 35 hits, including nine doubles, an on-base percentage of .535 and a slugging percentage of .587.

Yaucher spent countless hours honing his game, thanks to a batting cage in his parents’ backyard, along with a strict off-season training regimen that included lifting weights and running at Craig.

“Ben’s a kid that earned everything he’s gotten,” Herbst said. “He does everything the correct way and is a well-rounded person, both academically and athletically.

“If you could put nine Ben Yauchers on the field every game, you’d win a lot of games. Ben’s best baseball is ahead of him because he will do everything it takes to be successful.”

Meanwhile, Kimberly’s Brad Schreiber, who led the Papermakers to the Division 1 state title in 2007 and a second-place finish behind Kenosha Bradford this season, has been named the state’s Player of the Year.

Madison Memorial first baseman Spencer Lorrig has been named all-state third team, while teammate Jake Murray has received honorable mention as an outfielder. The Spartans advanced to the Division 1 state tournament for the fourth straight year and fifth time in seven seasons.

Evansville junior pitcher Taylor Koch has received honorable mention, along with East Troy pitcher Andy Kiesow and Lake Geneva Badger infielder Ricky Eckland.

Beloit Turner’s Mike Jacobs, Fort Atkinson’s John Kotz and Delavan-Darien’s Jeremiah Samuelson have been to the all-state academic team, along with East Troy’s Nick Douglas and Allen Loth.

WBCA All-State

FIRST TEAM

P—Sam Schissel, Kenosha Bradford; Brad Schreiber, Kimberly.

C—Kyle Sime, Prairie du Chien.

IF—Robert Parman, Madison Edgewood; Jake Long, Wisconsin Rapids; Brock Guetzke, Hartford; Chett Zeise, Green Bay Notre Dame; Jay Fanta, Viroqua.

OF—Ben Yaucher, Janesville Craig; Cody Koback, Stevens Point; Dan Gulbranson, Fox Valley Lutheran.

Utility—Tony Mueller, La Crosse Logan.

SECOND TEAM

P—Austin Lubinsky, La Crosse Logan; Ben Kincaid, Eau Claire Memorial.

C—Chase Graskewicz, Hudson.

IF—Alex Grunenwald, Merrill; Ben Shebesta, Eau Claire Memorial; Nick Lingvay, Kenosha Tremper; Justin Jirschele, Clintonville.

OF—Jon Schoch, Chippewa Falls McDonell; Jared Andreoli, Union Grove; Cole Brocker, Kimberly.

Utility—Tyler DeBoer, Waupun.

THIRD TEAM

P—Chris Ritter, Madison Edgewood; Zach Rickaway, La Crosse Aquinas.

C—Donald Hagedorn, Wausau East.

IF—Spencer Lorrig, Madison Memorial; Brad Hallberg, Barron; Sam Keller, Milwaukee Riverside; Brent Kakwitch, West De Pere.

OF—David Donnellan, Eau Claire Memorial; Tanner Vavra, Menomonie; Jon Capasso, Racine Horlick.

Utility—Will Fadness, Eau Claire Memorial.

Player of the Year—Brad Schreiber, Kimberly.

Coach of the Year—Selected in the fall.

Assistant Coach of the Year—Tom Krause, Burlington; Steve Maufort, Appleton East.

HONORABLE MENTION

P—Taylor Koch, Evansville; David Schreier, Marathon; Mark Shaver, St. Croix Central; Paul Buchkowski, Stevens Point; Andy Kiesow, East Troy; Garrett Scray, West De Pere.

C—Trevin Szulczewski, Nekoosa; Nick Apel, Hartford; Joe Birschbach, Chilton; Adam Walker, Milwaukee Lutheran.

IF—Mike Lennon, Reedsburg; Ryan Fisher, Marshall; Dan Herzog, Stevens Point Pacellil Justin Sondalle, Green Lake; Bobby Juan, La Crosse Central; Ethan Brundidge, Nekoosa; Ethan Gollnick, Bangor; Joel Effertz, Ladysmith; Kyle Wallace, Bruce; Ricky Ecklund, Lake Geneva Badger; Beau Steinke, Brillion.

OF—Mike Huber, Reedsburg; Jake Murray, Madison Memorial; Adam Cordova, Merrill; Matt Sharkey, Green Lake; Bobby Kachel, La Crosse Aquinas; Pat Guyse, Mauston; Jackson Hinde, Prairie Farm; Blake Pindyck, Milwaukee University School; Jake Hermsen, New London.

Utility—Kaleb Engelke, Mineral Point; Seth McMullen, Wausau West; Brent Jansen, West De Pere; Nate Spurney, Manitowoc.