4th Annual Prep Baseball Wisconsin Invitational @ The Rock: Saturday Preview

April 19, 2024
By: Maddox Durst & Connor Loomans

The Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff is back to host the annual Prep Baseball Wisconsin High School Invitational at The Rock this weekend—taking place on Friday, Apr. 19, and Saturday, Apr. 20. There’s a total of 19 teams making their way to Franklin over the course of those two days, each presenting numerous prospects to follow in their respective programs.

Check out dates, times and previews of each of Friday's matchups, below.

SATURDAY

FRANKLIN VS HUDSON - 9:00 A.M.

Franklin returns to the tournament in 2024 and is coming into the weekend on somewhat of a roll. Posting mostly wins in the month of April, the squad has a talented pitching staff that has seen some injuries early in the year. RHP Cooper Kamlay (2024; UW-Oshkosh commit) has taken over as the ace in the rotation for the time being, and has a shot to toe the rubber against Hudson on Saturday. At the plate, UTIL Onyu Lee (2025) has been one of the more productive hitters and has stepped onto the mound as needed.

The Raiders are more of the same—presenting a similar roster. They are anchored by their senior star in C Hunter Carlson (2024; Wichita State), who is a problem for any opponent that Hudson faces. LHP Bradyn Bezanson (2024; Maryville University), RHP Nick Hirsch (2025) and LHP Aaron Schwechler (2024; Wisconsin-La Crosse) have been solid arms for the Raiders in the first month of the season. A pair of underclassmen in RHP/INF Sam Abrahamson (2026) and OF Logan Hagman (2027) have really thrived on the varsity stage, including Hagman, who has slid into the leadoff spot as of late as just a freshman. The leader of this group in INF/RHP Landon Zeuli (2024; Winona State University) rounds out a talented roster.

MOSINEE VS WISCONSIN LUTHERAN - 11:00 A.M.

On Saturday morning, Mosinee and Wisconsin Lutheran continue the invitational with a Power 25 matchup. No. 12 Mosinee rolls into the event having a great start to the spring. SS Keagen Jirschele (2024; South Dakota State commit) is one of the top players in the 2024 class and will look to help keep his team rolling at the plate. Similarly, the battery of RHP Garret Shupe (2024; North Dakota State) and C Gavin Obremski (2024; Rock Valley JC commit) have been great for the Indians and having thrown on Monday, there is a chance to see the two work on Saturday. However, the Indians face a tough opponent in the No. 18 Wisconsin Lutheran Vikings.

(Keagen Jirschele; 9/24/23)

Led by SS Eddie Rynders (2024; Kent State commit), the Vikings have dropped a couple close matchups early in the year but still look to be one of the stronger teams in the state. CIF Wynn Hotchkiss (2025) joins Rynders as one of the power bats in this order who can do some damage in a hurry. RHP Jake Ross (2024; Bryant & Stratton CC) has been excellent on the mound for Wisconsin Lutheran, as he comes back in 2024 as one of their experienced right-handers. RHP Eli Dreier (2027) is another freshman making his way to the varsity stage and contributing right away as a two-way prospect to follow throughout the spring for the Vikings. Both ranked teams will take the field against one another on Saturday in what should be an exciting matchup.

(Eli Dreier; 9/11/23)

HARTFORD UNION VS MONONA GROVE - 11:00 A.M.

Despite being handed their first WIAA loss of the season this week, the Silver Eagles boast one of the top rosters in the state. They are led by RHP/INF Calvin Moreau (2026), who was the Prep Baseball Wisconsin POTW a couple of weeks ago. RHP/INF Kaden Connor (2025; Xavier) and OF Nicholas Guidici (2024; Parkland JC) have been producing at high rates for Monona Grove early on, and look to stay hot at The Rock this weekend. C Terek Verhage (2025; St. Thomas (MN)) continues to elevate his stardom as one of the top backstops in Wisconsin’s 2025 class. The Silver Eagles can put up runs in a hurry with this deep offensive unit, as our staff is intrigued to see how they handle the Lasers pitching staff on Friday.

Hartford Union has been a pleasant surprise throughout the early portion of 2024—remaining undefeated throughout the first weeks while taking down No. 15 ranked Homestead to hand the Highlanders their first conference win. They will take on aforementioned Monona Grove on Saturday morning—bringing in one of the top pitching staffs in the state. RHP/INF Carter Kutz (2025; Nebraska) recently held the No. 1 spot in Wisconsin’s updated 2025 rankings, and has been the most valuable player for the Orioles early on. His prowess and competitiveness on the mound has transitioned to the plate, as Kutz has been able to get it done in all aspects of the game. RHP’s Braycen Burg (2024; Madison JC) and Brandon Pohl (2024) are two seniors who have handled stingy competition while on the bump. OF RJ Thomae (2024; Valparaiso), OF Kaiden Romens (2026) and INF Aidan Kolb (2026) round out an offense that continues to figure out how to win games.

(Carter Kutz; 4/15/24)

MOSINEE VS INDIAN TRAIL - 1:30 P.M.

Indian Trail has received some major production from their star players to get off to a quality start in 2024. One of those is INF/RHP Jack Zeller (2025), a member of Team Wisconsin’s 2023 Future Games team. Zeller has consistently found barrels from the top half of the Hawks’ order, along with taking on multiple innings in a couple of stints for the pitching staff. RHP/OF Sam Callow (2025) has played a similar role on the mound for Indian Trail, as the right-hander has a couple of wins under his belt to get them out to a 6-1 start—including a dominant 11-0 win over Kenosha Tremper this week. 1B/RHP Connor Foster (2024), C Brad Filippis (2025) and INF/C Gage Finch (2024) have all been staples in the order for the Hawks, and will look to stay hot at the plate over the course of the weekend.

ST. MARY CATHOLIC VS WISCONSIN LUTHERAN - 1:30 P.M.

St. Mary Catholic is the lone Division 3 team in attendance this weekend—looking to make noise in a doubleheader against two quality Division 1 units in Wisconsin Lutheran and Nicolet. The Zephyrs are led by SS Fisher MacKenzie (2024), who has emerged as the heart and soul of this group. Standing at a strong 6-foot2, 207-pound frame, MacKenzie impressed over the summer at the PBRT Wisconsin Open in Mauston toward the top of the lineup. INF/RHP Colin Nigl (2024) is another senior that has produced in the middle of the order for St. Mary Catholic, who has only played three games this season. They are 2-1 though, having tallied a win over Oshkosh West a week ago.

ST. MARY CATHOLIC VS NICOLET - 4:00 P.M.

Nicolet will battle with the Zephyrs in their second game of the day, as the Knights look to take a game at the invitational backed by the two-way work of SS/RHP Nolan Sandee (2024; Northern Illinois) The Knights’ star has gotten off to a good start this season in all aspects of the game—looking to maintain that momentum on Saturday.

KETTLE MORAINE VS ST. THOMAS MORE - 7:00 P.M.

Our staff has seen the Cavaliers multiple times throughout the course of the early season, as the group has continued to impress on the diamond. RHP/INF Sam Mommer (2024; Wisconsin-Parkside commit) has been the star for St. Thomas More on both ends—including rushing his fastball up to 91 mph in prior looks this season. INF/RHP Oliver Gonzalez (2024), OF Bennett Karolewicz (2024; Saint Mary’s - MN) and INF/RHP Brayden Alivo (2026) power an offense that has been able to put up runs against quality competition throughout the year.

Kettle Moraine continues to compete despite dropping a couple of games these past couple of weeks. INF JJ Wolbert (2024; Madison JC) and OF Scott Brown (2024) have been the standouts on the offensive end of the ball—powering the Lasers to victories over Verona and Waunakee, who just defeated Monona Grove. RHP Tate Robillard (2025) has taken on the most innings for Kettle Moraine early on, entering the weekend with a 2-0 record against his opponents. LHP Andrew Ishag (2025) has been a nice complement, as the southpaw continues to find his rhythm on the varsity stage. Both rosters prove to play out an even match under the lights on Friday.