WIAA Diamond Notes: Week 1
April 9, 2026
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 INF Decker Kleppin (Random Lake, 2027), across 13 plate appearances the right-handed hitter went 4-6 with a double, two home runs, six RBIs. eight runs scored, five walks and seven stolen bases. The Pitcher of the Week is RHP Clay Maxam (West De Pere, 2028), Starting off the game with a seven pitch at-bat that ended in a strikeout before walking the next batter on four pitches. The right-hander would go on to retire the next 10 batters, working more efficiently, striking out the side in the second on nine pitches (seven whiffs). Maxam would go on to strikeout five more batters over the next two innings, earning his first win of the season.
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 3 Diamond Notes
+ Reed Vorlob, LHP (Horicon, 2026):
Vorlob made one appearance on the mound against North Fond du Lac/Oakfield, pitching four innings. He didn't allow any runs while allowing only one hit and four walks. He was dominant in the outing, striking out 10 batters.
+ Mason Schmidt , RHP (Somerset , 2026):
Schmidt delivered a stellar performance against Spring Valley, pitching four innings on a pitch count of 50–60 pitches. He finished the outing allowing no runs, no hits and zero walks. He also racked up 9 strikeouts during his appearance.
+ Grayson Gauwitz, RHP/OF (McFarland, 2027):
Gauwitz had a historic season opener by hitting for the cycle, going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double, a triple, a home run, and a stolen base. On the mound against Brodhead, Gauwitz pitched two innings allowing no runs and no hits allowed. He struck out five batters and issued only one walk.
+ Ryan Albanese, 2B (Badger, 2026):
Albanese had a highly productive week at the plate, going 8-for-12 with one double and one walk. He also drove in four runs for Badger.
+ Jaxson Nielsen, SS (Stoughton, 2027):
Nielsen went 2-for-4 at the plate, which included a triple and a grand slam. He finished with six RBIs, one walk, and one stolen base.
+ Trey Kerkhoff, SS/P (Burlington, 2026):
Kerkhoff excelled during a three-game spring trip to Nashville, going 6-for-9 with a double, two home runs, six RBIs, and five stolen bases. In a standout game against Liberty Creek HS, he went 4-for-4 with two home runs and the go-ahead double in the 7th inning. He also earned a save on the mound by striking out the final two batters to secure an 8-7 victory. Over three total innings pitched, Kerkhoff allowed zero runs with three strikeouts.
+ Tyler Miller, LHP (Boscobel, 2026):
Miller was a dual-threat, going 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, two stolen bases, and the game-winning run scored on a passed ball in the 8th inning. On the mound against North Crawford, Miller pitched six innings while allowing no runs, only two hits, and three walks while striking out 14 batters
+ Carson Rose, RHP (Wautoma, 2028):
Rose pitched four innings against Princeton Green Lake, allowing no runs and zero hits allowed. He struck out 11 batters and walked two, starting 10 of 15 batters with strikes. At the plate, Rose went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two stolen bases.
+ Braun Wotruba, SS/RHP (Pulaski, 2027):
Wotruba went 4-for-6 at the plate, including two triples and one walk. He drove in five runs and stole one base. On the mound against Freedom, Wotruba pitched four innings allowing no runs, just one hit and two walks while striking out four.
Milton
+ Ben Schultz, RHP (Milton, 2028):
Schultz started on the mound against Badger, pitching five innings. He allowed five hits and two walks but kept the opponent off the board, allowing no runs. He finished the appearance with nine strikeouts.
+ Jake Cummins, SS (Milton, 2026):
Cummins went 4-for-7 at the plate with one double. He reached base further with two hit-by-pitches, drove in four runs, and recorded four stolen bases.
Tri-County
+ RJ Meddaugh, SS (Tri-County, 2027):
Meddaugh put up strong numbers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a walk. He contributed three RBIs and recorded one stolen base.
+ Seth Hildebrandt, RHP (Tri-County, 2027):
Hildebrandt earned a start against Wonewoc-Center, pitching four innings. He allowed two hits and one walk while allowing no runs. He was incredibly effective, striking out 11 batters during his start.
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