2023 Minneota Baseball Preview

Minneota Baseball
HEAD COACH: Keven Larson
ASSISTANTS: Braeden Panka (JV), Ben Skorczewski (Jr. High), Chad Johnston (Jr. High), Les Engler (Volunteer)
LAST YEAR: 11-9

Minneota returns an abundance of experience and talent with 12 letterwinners from an 11-9 season.
"Depth and versatility will be strengths of ours," said head coach Keven Larson, who begins his 25th year at the helm. "We have quite a few guys that can play multiple positions. It’s just a matter of managing the lineup when a different pitcher is on the mound."
The Vikings have plenty of pitching led by hard-throwing Ryan Dalager, a junior, who is coming off a solid season.
"Our pitching depth will be a positive," Larson said. "We have quite a few guys that have thrown in the past, whether it was last season or last summer. Each year is a little different and trying to match the guys who are better at starting, relieving, and coming in when there is a tough situation."
With the late start to the season due to the weather, there will likely be more games played each week so more pitchers will be needed. Those also expected to see duty on the hill this season include: seniors Peyton Gillund and Jackson Lacek, juniors Peyton Sheik and Keaton Jurrens, and sophomores Adam Dalager, Ryan Meagher and Brody Larson.
"Once again, it all depends on how many games we will have to be playing in a week later in the season due to the weather," Larson noted. "We are getting as many arms in shape as we can, but it’s quite a bit different throwing in the gym than in game situations."
Letterwinners back this season include senior infielders Lacek, Gillund and Isaac Pohlen; junior infielders Sheik, Ryan Dalager, Joe Voit and Keaton Jurrens; and Meagher, a sophomore. Sophomore outfielders Eli Gruenes, Parker Bradley, Adam Dalager and Larson are also returning.
Newcomers to the varsity include junior outfielder Stanley Siekmann and sophomore infielders Destin Fier and Kyler Lozinski.
"We have to replace three strong hitters from our lineup last season, Jayden Gamrak, Jonah Gruenes, and Tyler Gronke," Larson remarked. "However, this group has played quite a few games together over the years, so we kind of have an idea of how our lineup will look to start."
Still, the team is looking forward to finally getting outside after being cooped up inside the gym so far this spring.
"The major issue, as with most of the local teams, will be getting time on the actual field before we play a game," Larson said. "It’s a lot different taking ground balls in a gym than on an actual field. Looks like we will have some time before we can get that to happen."