Contributed Photo Bonduel senior Joey Wagester takes a swing in the team’s game against Amherst on May 7.
Athlete: Joey Wagester
Sport: Baseball
School: Bonduel High School
Year: Senior
It’s rare for a baseball player to be able to throw a no-hitter and deliver a walk-off hit during their entire high school career. Bonduel senior Joey Wagester accomplished both feats in less than a week.
On May 16, Wagester tossed a five-inning no-hitter in Bonduel’s 14-0 win over Menominee Indian. The senior gave the Bears another win on Tuesday when he knocked in the game-winning run against Sturgeon Bay in a 8-7 nonconference win.
Q: When did your interest in baseball begin?
A: My interest in baseball began at a young age. I started playing in Navarino with their little league team because my dad (Mark) coached it. I then went to Bonduel to play in Pony League, Babe Ruth, and now Legion. My favorite baseball moment would be playing baseball in high school because I grew as a player and as a teammate.
Q: What is your favorite part about the baseball season?
A: My favorite part about the baseball season would be seeing all the great competition and learning what we could do better or what we did well for that game. It has also been a blast playing with a wonderful group of guys, who elevate each other’s playing ability.
Q: As the season wraps up, what does the team need to be doing to put together a playoff run?
A: We need to keep hitting the ball every inning and not letting up against the competition. We also can’t have errors — the pitchers should not have to work harder to get outs.
Q: Explain the feeling you got when you threw a no-hitter against Menominee Indian on May 16.
A: I was ecstatic when I got that last out. It was always a dream to throw a no-hitter but I never thought it would actually happen. There was a solid defense behind me that really made that a dream come true.
Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bonduel baseball team?
A: My favorite memory would have to be throwing the no-hitter against Menominee Indian, just because it was a once in a lifetime event, but getting the game-winning hit against Sturgeon Bay would have to be a close second.
Q: What are you going to miss most when your baseball career is over at Bonduel?
A: I am going to miss the teammates the most because they were there supporting me through every game and every inning. The baseball team is truly just like a big family. I could pretty much say that we are all cousins.
Q: You also are a very good bowler. Did bowling help you prepare for the baseball season in any way?
A: Bowling has made me a better baseball player, because in bowling I need to relax, slow down, and take it frame by frame. For baseball, you have to relax and each at-bat can have a different outcome.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?
A: My favorite thing to do when I am not competing would definitely be fishing, whether it is for panfish, bass, walleye, musky or catfish.
Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?
A: My favorite TV show is “Supernatural.” My favorite movie is “Super Troopers.” My music artist that I like the most would be Garth Brooks.
Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.
A: Not many people know that I want to become a high school history teacher.
Q: What’s the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?
A: The best advice I ever got would be that I have to be patient. Whether it is at the plate, hunting or fishing. Great things take time and you cannot rush greatness.