Seven letter winners will return to the diamond for the Trucker varsity baseball team this season. The team will look to build on last year’s 9-7 record in the Eastern Valley Conference and 13-9 overall record.
“Six of our returning letter winners are starters from last season,” said Head Coach Dean Muthig, who is in his sixth year coaching. “Even though we have six starters returning, I still feel like we are a young group. If we can throw strikes and play solid defense I think we will be competitive.”
Seniors Nick Hogen, Zac Riemer, Aaron Morse and Keyur Patel will lead the team, while juniors Jaden Doornink and Damon Lorge will join them. Sophomore Hunter Vollmer also returns to the team this year after earning playing time last year.
Hogen, Doornink and Vollmer all earned All-Conference honors last year.
Other varsity candidates include Nathan Krueger, Chad Bork, Jordan Koeppen, Josh Schroeder, Brandon Hopp, and Anthony Pues.
Clintonville lost Vinny Doberstein, Parker Mindel, and Turner Doornink to graduation last spring. Mindel and Turner Doornink were All-Conference selections, while Turner Doornink was also Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-State selection.
Despite losing a few key players, Muthig believes the Truckers can compete with the top teams in the Eastern Valley Conference.
“I think you will see a lot of parity in the league again this year,” said Muthig. “I feel like you could see any one of a few teams battling for the conference championship. Freedom, Waupaca, Xavier, and Ripon immediately come to mind.”