Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shawano Community High School senior Kien Moorman works on fielding during practice this week. Moorman, the team’s starting left fielder last season, will be one of three returning outfielders for the Hawks.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shawano Community High School senior Kasey Kristof works at catcher during practice this week. Kristof, who played shortstop last year, is taking over behind the plate while Jack Hanauer recovers from a torn ACL.
With no physically dominant pitcher or big hitting threat, playing sound defense is a focus this spring for the Shawano baseball team under the direction of Rob Wolff.
It could be what helps the Hawks bust through to the top half of the Bay Conference.
“When your defense breaks down, then everything falls apart,” Wolff said, reflecting on the Hawks’ tourney run last year. “We beat Xavier, and they had a couple players going to UW-Milwaukee. And then we lose to Oconto Falls on a suicide squeeze in the sixth inning and they lose in the sectional final to go to state. So I mean, we’re close.”
Losing Jack Hanauer, a three-year starter at catcher, to an ACL injury will hurt the Hawks. Wolff plans to move senior Kasey Kristof, who started the past two years at shortstop, behind the plate.
Hanauer will remain with the team as he continues his post-operation recovery to help Kristof and the younger Hawks.
“(I’m) used to catching, so it’s easy kind of stepping into it,” Kristof said. “Obviously, Jack will be around to help me out.”
Alex Hoffman, who would’ve play third, will likely have to take over at shortstop.
“It does weaken our infield a little bit because I had Alex at third, so I’ve got to juggle a few guys around,” Wolff said.
Junior Jacob Lacy could also see time in the infield, along with junior Cole Nelson.
Dylan Sumnicht, an Upper Iowa University football commit, will return to center field when he isn’t on the mound. Kien Moorman could stay in left field, and Joey Tadych, Seth Sousek and Connor Klish could each take some innings in the outfield this spring.
“I’ll have a little more depth I think at the infield and outfield positions, so it’ll be good,” Wolff said.
Sumnicht will be the team’s top arm on the mound. Casey Baumann, Joey Tadych, Cole Nelson and Bryce Gagnow are the next four pitchers, but younger players will also be counted on to take some innings throughout the year.
Shawano finished 7-17 overall, 3-9 in the Bay Conference, last year. The Hawks are confident they can do better this year.
“I think we have good chemistry as a team,” Sumnicht said. “We’re all a good unit.”
AT A GLANCE
Shawano Community High School
Baseball Schedule
March 30 vs. Oconto
March 31 vs. New London
April 3 at Clintonville
April 4 at Xavier
April 6 vs. Xavier
April 8 vs. Rhinelander (DH)
April 10 vs. Oconto Falls
April 11 vs. Menasha
April 13 at Menasha
April 18 at Green Bay United
April 20 vs. Green Bay United
April 21 at Seymour
April 24 at Xavier
April 25 at West De Pere
April 28 vs. West De Pere
May 2 vs. Seymour
May 4 vs. Seymour
May 5 vs. Green Bay United
May 12 vs. Menasha
May 13 at Escanaba Tournament
May 16 vs. New London
May 18 at New London
May 19 at West De Pere
May 20 vs. Bonduel