John Koronkiewicz capped his Waupaca High School coaching career by leading the Comets to the school’s first-ever state baseball championship. Koronkiewicz, who also coached Waupaca football teams to state titles in 2006 and 2008, coached the varsity football team for 32 seasons and the varsity baseball team for 24 years. Tim Koll Photo
John Koronkiewicz coached Waupaca High School’s football team to Division 3 state championships in 2006 and 2008.
He can add the school’s first baseball title to that list as well.
The Comets handed Milwaukee Lutheran a 2-0 loss June 16 in the WIAA Division 2 state spring baseball championship game at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. Waupaca fell to Milwaukee Lutheran 3-2 last year in a Division 2 sectional final and the Red Knights went on to win a state championship.
The Red Knights had a chance to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, as Matthew Brandt scored on T.J. Walker’s single. However, several Waupaca fans sitting in front of third base told Koronkiewicz to appeal the play after Brandt didn’t touch the base while rounding it on his way home and the run was taken off of the scoreboard.
Waupaca came up with what turned out to be the game’s only runs in the bottom of the third on RBI hits from Hayden Neidert and Jason Ellie. Ellie’s single scored Walker Smith, while Ellie came home on Neidert’s double.
Smith held the Red Knights to five hits to pick up his ninth win of the season without a loss and also had two of the Comets’ four hits.
Waupaca’s Walker Smith avoids the tag of Milwaukee Lutheran catcher Matthew Brandt to score the Comets’ first run June 16 in the WIAA Division 2 state spring baseball championship game in Grand Chute. Smith also held the Red Knights to five hits and went the distance on the mound to get the shutout win. Greg Seubert Photo
Designated hitter Nate Meihak throws the bat back to the dugout area after drawing a walk for Waupaca against Milwaukee Lutheran. The senior also drove in three runs with a double in the Comets’ 6-3 semifinal win over West Salem. Greg Seubert Photo
Ryan Dayton is ready to make a play at third base for the Comets.
Greg Seubert Photo
Waupaca players watch Milwaukee Lutheran take batting practice before the start of the WIAA Division 2 state spring baseball championship game.
Greg Seubert Photo
Shane Olsen gets ready to bat for Waupaca against Milwaukee Lutheran.
Greg Seubert Photo
Brenden Canterbury hustles back to first base for Waupaca as Milwaukee Lutheran’s J.J. Johnson covers the bag.
Greg Seubert Photo
Coach John Koronkiewicz walks off of Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium after the Comets beat Milwaukee Lutheran 2-0 in the WIAA Division 2 state spring baseball championship.
Greg Seubert Photo
Waupaca baseball players and coaches huddle before the start of the WIAA Division 2 state spring baseball championship game in Grand Chute.
Greg Seubert Photo
Walker Smith warms up before taking the mound for Waupaca in the WIAA Division 2 state spring baseball championship game. Smith held Milwaukee Lutheran scoreless and the Comets won their first-ever state baseball title.
Greg Seubert Photo
Waupaca baseball players and coaches pose for a dugout photo with the WIAA Division 2 state championship trophy June 16 after the Comets defeated defending state champion Milwaukee Lutheran 2-0 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. It is Waupaca’s first state baseball championship and the Comets ended the season with a 25-4 record. See more coverage from the game as well as the team’s semifinal win over West Salem, in Section B.
Tim Koll Photo
