By Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Bonduel’s Noah Beilfuss follows through after taking a swing during a conference game against Amherst on May 7. Beilfuss made the CWC-East first team after a big junior season.
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Shane Herb fires a pitch during a conference game against Menominee Indian on May 2. Herb made the CWC-East second team and was one of the top pitchers in the conference.
Local teams were well represented on the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division all-conference baseball teams.
After tying for second in the conference, Bonduel had six players named to one of the three all-conference teams. Wittenberg-Birnamwood tied for fourth and had four players earn recognition. Menominee Indian did not win a conference game but had three players honored.
Bonduel
Leading the six Bears on all-conference teams were first-team selections Noah Beilfuss and Parker Bohm.
Beilfuss, a junior, earned the spot unanimously after a big year at the plate and on the mound.
Beilfuss finished with a .436 batting average in conference play, tallying a team-high 17 hits and 11 RBIs while also scoring 11 runs.
He posted a 1.66 earned run average across 20⅔ conference innings pitched.
“I am very honored to be chosen as first team because we have a lot of talent in our conference,” said Beilfuss. “Baseball has always been my life and passion. I want to play at the next level and awards like this motivate me to keep working hard and continue to not settle but to raise my goals higher.”
Bohm, a senior, finished with a .333 batting average, .415 on-base percentage and eight RBIs. He also stole four bases.
“It is a great way to end my high school career, and it means a lot knowing I have the respect of other coaches in the conference,” said Bohm.
Junior Cole Letter landed on the second team, while senior Riddik Bohm and juniors Dylan Burch and Isaac Boldt all were honorable mentions.
In conference play, Letter was an on-base machine, reaching base at a .512 clip after walking 12 times. He finished with a .311 batting average and led the team with 12 runs scored and six stolen bases.
“Making an all-conference team with some of my fellow teammates is a huge confidence boost going into my senior year because it shows a lot of promise and potential for our returning players,” said Letter.
Riddik Bohm batted behind the team’s first- and second-team selections and took advantage of the opportunities. He hit .357, got on base at a .455 clip and drove in six runs.
Burch also drove in six runs, while posting a .405 on-base percentage after drawing seven walks. He also scored eight runs.
Boldt was the team’s top pitcher in conference play, striking out 42 batters over 41⅓ innings. He went 6-1 and pitched three complete games. At the plate, Boldt registered six hits and scored five runs.
The Bears finished 8-4 in conference play before making a run to the regional title game.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood
A trio of seniors and one junior from Witt-Birn made all-conference teams.
Senior Kody Szews made the first team as a unanimous selection, while senior Shane Herb was named to the second-team. Senior Michael Gibson II and junior Jacob Groshek received honorable mention.
Szews was an on-base machine and was rewarded with his third first-team honor of his high school career. It was Szews’ second unanimous selection to the first team.
“It’s always my personal goal to be first-team all-conference. I think that should be everyone’s goal — go out and earn the respect from your opponent,” Szews said. “The selection validated that my coaches from Little League through my high school career have given me the tools necessary to be a successful ballplayer, and I thank them for the time they put into me.”
Herb turned into the Chargers’ most consistent starting pitcher and provided some big hits at the plate.
“I’m very happy to make second team,” he said. “I didn’t reach my goal of first team, so that’s a little disappointing.
“I’ll remember that this year was very fun. There was always someone joking around, and it kept it upbeat even after a tough loss.”
Gibson and Groshek each had their share of big hits. Gibson was the team’s cleanup hitter, while Groshek came on strong in the second half of the season.
Witt-Birn finished 5-7 in CWC-East play. The Chargers earned a No. 3 seed in the postseason but were upset by sixth-seeded Omro in their first playoff game.
Menominee Indian
Menominee Indian had one player land on each of the all-conference teams.
Senior Richard Wayka, who will play baseball for Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan, was a first-team selection after leading the team at the plate and serving as the primary shortstop.
Fellow senior Mequan Corn earned a spot on the second team. Corn, who primarily played third base, was also a tough out at the plate.
The Eagles’ third all-conference pick was first baseman Wendell Waukau. Just a freshman, Waukau turned into a big threat in the middle of the lineup.
Menominee Indian was topped by Coleman in a regional quarterfinal matchup.