WIAA Diamond Notes: Week 1
April 10, 2025
Each week, WIAA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the Prep Baseball Wisconsin Player of the Week and Prep Baseball Wisconsin Pitcher of the Week honors. Yesterday, we awarded the Week 1 Player of the Week to Chase Yinko (Monona Grove, 2025) and the Pitcher of the Week RHP Ira Hilbelink (Cedar Grove-Belgium, 2027) for their excellent performances on the diamond. Yinko was a key piece to the lineup, hitting two doubles and a triple while driving in seven runs on the week with two stolen bases while playing standout defense in center field. Hilbelink struck out 14 batters, issuing one walk while allowing only one opposing batter to put a ball in play. It’s also worth noting that 48 of Hilbelink’s 70 pitches were strikes to go along with 17 swings and misses.
There were a number of other impressive performances that were in the mix for the award and deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.
WEEK 1 DIAMOND NOTES
+ Keagan Wheeler, RHP (Bay Port, 2025; Wisconsin-La Crosse):
La Crosse recruit, Wheeler started on the mound in Bay Port’s 7-1 win against Seymour. The right-hander threw five innings allowing no earned runs, no hits, one walk and four strikeouts.
+ Carson Roemhild, SS (Boyceville, 2026):
Uncommitted, in the double header Saturday, the leadoff hitter was 4-for-6 with two walks, one double, one triple, an RBI, two stolen bases and clutch defense throughout both games, saving multiple runs throughout the day.
+ Francisco Arnold, RHP (Edgewood, 2025):
Uncommitted, threw four innings out of relief in Edgewood’s 5-1 win against Madison La Follette. Arnold faced the minimum number of hitters striking out seven, allowing only one hit, no runs, and no walks.
+ Brett Biondich, RHP/1B (Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 2026; TCU):
The Horned Frogs commit was dominant in his first start of the season. On a limited pitch count, Biondich threw three innings allowing one hit, two walks, and striking out eight. At the plate, was 2-for-5 with three walks, and two stolen bases. He was on a pitch count, but was dominant in his first outing on the mound.
+ Caleb Liggon, INF/OF (Madison Memorial, 2026):
Uncommitted, the former Future Gamer started the season hot, finished the week 3-for-5 with two walks, one double, a homer, four RBIs, and a stolen base, helping Memorial get out to a 2-0 start to the season.
+ Luke Spielbauer, 1B (Marquette University, 2025):
Uncommitted, senior first basemen had a quality week at the plate finishing 4-for-7 with two doubles, four RBIs, and two stolen bases en route to a 3-0 start for Marquette.
+ Owen Karpinsky , CF (Milwaukee School of Languages, 2026):
Uncommitted, Karpinsky helped his team in a big 14-2 win against Milwaukee Hamilton going 2-for-3 with a walk, inside-the-park home run, four RBIs, and four stolen bases.
+ Adam Kudronowicz, 1B/LHP (Mukwonago, 2025; Iowa Western CC):
The Iowa Western recruit had an all around impressive week in Mukwonago’s opening week. The two-way was 4-for-5 at the plate with a walk, HBP, two stolen bases, and four RBIs. The southpaw also started on the mound in the 7-4 win against D.C. Everest, went 3.1 innings allowing one earned run, three hits, two walks, and striking out four.
+ Matt Fouks, 2B (New Richmond, 2026):
Uncommitted, Fouks had one of the most impressive weeks in the state going 6-for-8 out of the cleanup spot for New Richmond with three walks, two doubles, and six RBIs, propelling the Tigers to three wins last week.
+ Braun Wotruba, SS (Pulaski, 2027):
Uncommitted, delivered a go-ahead single in the 7th inning against Hortonville securing the 9-7 win. Finished the week 3-for-7 with two walks, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.
+ Jackson Naber , RHP (Slinger, 2025; MSOE):
The MSOE recruit started on the mound against Lomira tossing four innings, allowing one earned run, four hits, one walk and struck out seven. In his last inning of his outing he was in a jam with two runners in scoring position with one out and struck out the next two batters to cap off a strong first start of the season.
+ Gabe Schmidt, INF/RHP (St. Thomas More, 2025; Wisconsin-Stevens Point):
The UW-Stevens Point commit had a near perfect start to the season in two opening games both at the plate and on the mound. Offensively was 5-for-7 with two walks, a double, triple, five RBIs, and three stolen bases. Made two appearances on the mound last week, in four innings of work allowed zero runs, one hit, no walks and struck out ten.
+ Brady Patten, RHP/3B (Verona Area, 2025; Saint Mary’s-Minnesota):
Saint Mary’s-MN commit started on the mound and was clutch at the plate in the 2-1 win against Milton. Brady hit the go ahead solo home run in the top of the 11th inning to secure the win for Verona. On the mound, the right-hander threw four innings allowing no runs, one hit, one walk, and six strikeouts.
+ Calvin Hurtgen, C (Watertown, 2025; Bryant & Stratton):
The backstop had a nice week at the plate for Watertown finishing 5-for-8 with a double, and three RBIs out of the three hole.
+ Jake Rechlitz, LHP (Whitnall, 2025):
Rechlitz stepped up big and delivered on the mound against top ranked Muskego throwing 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts, three walks, four hits and three earned runs while controlling the game on the mound. His performance helped Whitnall take down #1 Muskego 9-3.
+ Chance Ruby, SS/RHP (Wilmot Union, 2026; Illinois-Chicago):
The Flames recruit started the season on a positive note going 4-for-7 with a walk, double, two triples, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.
COLUMBUS
+ Gavin Schultz, LF, P (Columbus, 2028):
Uncommitted, the freshman hit a big three run HR to bring the Cardinals back in their 10-8 win against River Valley. Schlutz also made two appearances on the mound throughout the week allowing one run, one hit, one walk, striking out four in 2.2 innings of relief work.
+ Riley Kaminski, SS (Columbus, 2025):
Uncommitted, Kaminski made two game saving plays on defense in extra innings against River Valley. At the plate, went 3-for-6 with three walks, one triple, three RBIs, and a stolen base.
NOTRE DAME ACADEMY
+ Ty Bumgardner, RHP (Notre Dame Academy, 2027):
Uncommitted, started on the mound in the 7-3 win against Appleton Xavier tossing five innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, walking two and striking out ten.
+ Christian Collins, CF (Notre Dame Academy, 2025):
Uncommitted, Collins hit well last week out of the two hole for Notre Dame Academy, the outfielder finished 4-for-7 with a walk, triple, and four RBIs.
+ Drew Siudzinski, 3B (Notre Dame Academy, 2025; Wisconsin-La Crosse):
Another La Crosse commit makes his appearance on this week's Diamond Notes, Siudzinski finished the week 3-for-6 with two walks, a homer, and four RBIs.
PEWAUKEE
+ Greyson Zach, RHP / INF (Pewaukee, 2025; Minnesota):
The former Future Gamer was solid in both aspects of the game last week. Offensively, finished 5-for-8 with three walks, HBP, double, two triples, four RBIs, and two stolen bases. On the mound, started in the 4-3 win against Merrill. In four innings of work allowed one earned run, on one hit, two walks, and struck out six.
+ Drew Dobberstein, CF (Pewaukee, 2025; Evangel):
The Evangel University commit finished last week 7-for-9 with three walks, HBP, two doubles, seven RBIs, and four stolen bases. A quality week out of the three hole for the Pirates.
WAUNAKEE
+ Colin Murphy, C (Waunakee, 2026):
Uncommitted catcher, Murphy went 5-for-11 with a walk, double, three RBIs, and three stolen bases in Waunakee’s three games last week.
+ Brady Barman, SS (Waunakee , 2025):
The uncommitted senior finished last week going 4-for-7 with three walks, five RBIs, and one stolen base.