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Cougars want to be a wild card in the Big Eight

JANESVILLE — Will Janesville Craig High School’s baseball team be the wild card in the Big Eight Conference race?

Coach Vic Herbst would like to think so.

With a combination of solid senior leadership, along with an influx of talented underclassmen, the Cougars hope to spoil what many figure to a be a two-team race between Middleton and Madison Memorial for the conference title.

“I think Middleton and Memorial are ranked 1-2 in the state in the preseason poll, and for good reason,” Herbst said. “Middleton has some great players returning, and Memorial has excellent pitching coming back.

“But if we do the things we’re supposed to do and our pitching is consistent, I think we can put a pretty good team on the field.”

Craig was 13-9 a year ago, including 9-7 in the conference. The Cougars lost three-time all-conference selection Ben Yaucher to graduation, but return all-conference selections Dylan Grall and Zach Bayreuther.

Grall, a senior, batted .350 a year ago en route to being named first team at first base. He’s the top returning run producer on the team and will bat cleanup again this year.

“Dylan had a huge second half of the season last year,” Herbst said. “If he stays within himself and doesn’t try to do too much at the plate, he could really have a big year.”

Bayreuther will be the team’s starting shortstop for the third straight season. The senior batted over .400 a year ago from the leadoff spot.

“Zach’s one of the true leaders on this team,” Herbst said. “He’s the main cog in our infield, and our pitchers know that if the ball is hit to him, he’s going to make the play. That helps their confidence.”

Herbst said senior Zach Whalen is the team’s most improved player after spending half of last season as a varsity starter. Whalen will start at third, while junior Austin Geller or senior Brett Fredricks will be at second.

Senior Derek Mussey is the starting catcher, while junior Tom McCulloch will be the designated hitter and can also play anywhere in the infield. Junior Aaron Fredricks also is expected to play a reserve role as an infielder.

Fredricks will open the season as the No. 1 pitcher. He’s the Cougars’ only pitcher with varsity experience, and Herbst expects to have a solid season.

“Brett throws strikes, and anytime you can do that on a consistent basis, you’re going to be successful,” Herbst said.

“Our pitchers don’t have a lot of (varsity) experience, but we’ve got some lively arms. They just need get acclimated to pitching at the varsity level.”

Sophomore Cody Steed is the team’s hardest thrower and should provide the Cougars with a solid 1-2 punch in the rotation. Junior Mike Davis and senior Ben Olin also are expected to log innings, along with senior A.J. Fredricks and Geller.

Two starters return in the outfield. Senior Nick Weber will start in left, and senior Keith Wright will be in right. Junior Christian DeCremer will start in center.

“I really like our outfield,” Herbst said. “Weber really bulked up and is a lot stronger and quicker. Wright has a real strong arm in right and is solid defensively, and DeCremer has all the tools to be a very good player.”

Junior Cameron Graves also can play in the outfield, along with McCulloch.

Like most teams in the area, the Cougars haven’t had a lot of opportunities to get outside and practice. Herbst said the soggy spring has become the norm.

“We’re in the same boat as every other team,” Herbst said. “You schedule games and hope you can get them in.

“But I like this team and the chemistry we have. And I think once we get going and get a few games under our belt, we’ll be pretty solid up and down the lineup.”

Craig’s schedule, with home games at Riverside Park.