T-town Set To Defend State Baseball Title

The Wooden Shoes are set to defend their title at the Class 2A State Baseball Tournament.

Teutopolis High School is back at the Class 2A State Baseball Tournament. The Wooden Shoes won the state crown last year and hope to repeat this weekend at Peoria's Dozer Park.

With 11 seniors, the Shoes have the experience and they have the drive.

"We are returning to state because of all those 21 guys on the team and 11 of them are seniors," said T-town Coach Justin Fleener. "They just came together. They've seen success in the past and they are trying to duplicate that success.

"We just need to cut down on walks, force contact and let our defense make the routine plays. And, of course, put the bat on the ball."

Coach Fleener talked about his team.

"Jack Goeckner, a senior, has taken on the role as leadoff batter this year. He's been hot here lately. He had a couple of nice hits at Sauget. He feels comfortable at second and has played short. Early in the year I would move Jack over to short. He did a good job. He has a real quick turn on a double play. And, an important fact, we talk farm a lot.

"Lee Hardiek, a senior, plays shortstop and pitches. "He played third base last year. He's a hard worker. He puts his time in, early before practice and stays late. Each one of them puts in a lot of time. He wants to do well. He has that drive, competitive and he's a good, hard-nosed ballplayer.

"Cody Jansen, a senior, has started for three years. He had a little bit of a back issue his sophomore year and sat for the whole month of April. He did a lot of catching last year. But this year he was able to go to the mound for us. He's taken on more of a pitching role. He's been a very good player, started as a sophomore, has a lot of pop in his bat. Another hard-worker and competititor who wants to do well. Great guy to have on the team. He is constantly chattering.

"Eric Kremer, a senior, is a pitcher and third baseman. Last fall he threw. He has great stuff. He moved that on into the spring. About the time we started our run last year he came into his own. He got into a rhythm on the mound and got confidence and was really effective. He had three dominating performances in regional, sectional and state. He carried that on into this year. He looked sharp every time out. I hope the injury is nothing too big and damaging to him that he suffered at the Flora Sectional Saturday. He had an MRI Tuesday and will get the results today.

"Although he can't pitch, he has been swinging the bat good and the ball jumps off his bat every time. They are laser hits. Another good farm boy to talk farming with a lot. Very athletic for being 6-5, 6-6 one of our faster guys.

"Drew Thoele, a senior, has been the other catcher. Whenever Cody is pitching he fills. He has a good swing, hits well. He's very athletic and runs bases well. Early when Cody was a little hurt, Drew had been catching a lot more and when Cody is pitching, Drew assumes that position. He's done a great job. He's been seeing well from the left side.

"Clint Weber, a junior, will be playing first base now since Eric can't throw. He's been swinging the bat really well. When I put the role on him to be the DH, he took the role and went running with it. He's about 6-7 and a real strong kid.

"Ethyn Dust is a senior third baseman/pitcher. He came in and closed the door against Benton. A very hard-worker. He's competitive and wants to do well. He puts the team first whatever he has to do. He's selfless. He looks out for the well-being of the team. He's very thoughtful on the field and puts trust in others. He's a good guy to have on the team.

"Mitch Hemmen, a sophomore, was in and out of the lineup. We decided to stick with his arm. He gave us better defensive opportunities to throw guys out. He can pitch. He can play all outfield positions.

"Collin Funneman, a senior, was in and out early in the year and got it figured out. Another senior who does what he needs to do. He does a good job in centerfield. Has good range and a good arm. Comes in and once again is competitive and makes sure the team does well.

"Evan Althoff, a senior, played a little third base and dh. He hits the ball real well. Strong kid. He's filled in a couple pinch hit roles and got a big hit or ground out to put pressure on the defense. If the opportunity comes up or someone is struggling, he will go in and pinch.

"Jared Bloemer, a senior, is a courtesy runner. He does his role and has accepted what he needs to be doing. Very good wheels and aggressive on the base path.

"Collin Kreke, a senior, plays right field. He has a real good arm. He covers the ground well. He's played center and right and has even moved over to left. He threw an inning on the mound. He's a hard-worker.

"John Tomlinson, a senior, is another infielder who has pitched.He's a utility type. Before every game he's out there getting balls. He's always preparing himself for whatever comes. He is supportive and giving and encourages his teammates.

"Dawson Smith and Brayden Will were injured. They are two juniors that hopefully will be back next year. Dawson had a fabulous fall. They both can look forward to next year.

"Tyler Runde, another junior, played a little bit at second base. He has a real good glove. Puts the bat on the ball decently. If I need to put him in, I feel confident in his defense and next year he''ll have to lead.

"Luke Ungrund, a sophomore, did a little bit of catching and dh. He has a real good bat, very athletic. Coming into his own. He will be looked upon to do a lot of things in the future.

"Mitch Hardiek, a sophomore, threw a great game at Paris. That's the type of pitcher we'll see in the future. Once he gets loose, he has a couple good pitches he can let loose. He throws left-handed.

"Sophomore Brock Deters threw one game varsity-wise for us. He throws strikes. He will be a big strong kid.

"Trenton Schwerdt, a sophomore, started a game early in the season. Good left-handed swing. Gets good pop in his bat. He'll be one of those infielders.

"Another sophomore, Brady McMahon, will be someone who can catch and pitch. Puts the bat on the ball well and does well at anything defense."

The Shoes come into the meeting Friday with Herscher with a 29-6 record. T-town is on an eight-game winning streak.

Herscher is 33-7 and won its own regional by beating Kankakee McNamara 7-2 and Braidwood Reed-Custer 10-0. The Tigers downed Chicago Harlan 11-1 and Chicago University 13-0 in the Seneca Sectional and won the Lisle Super-Sectional by edging Elmhurst Timothy Christian, 1-0.

"They have a really good coach and a really good program," said Fleener. "If they're at this point they must be pretty good. They throw the ball well, hit real well and field well. Coach Eric Regez does a good job with his program, a good guy and we have a tough opponent ahead of us."

T-town meets Herscher at 3 p.m. Friday followed by Tuscola (37-3) against Spring Valley Hall (28-2) at 5 p.m. The winners advance to the championship game Saturday at 5 while the losers play for third place at 3