If Gillett and Suring hadn’t entered into a co-op this season, chances are neither school would be playing baseball this spring, after Gillett had 11-12 players a year ago.
With the two schools combining forces this year, there are 16 athletes (nine from Suring and seven from Gillett) to make up the Hornets.
“It’s nice trying to figure out who’s going to play what positions,” Gillett/Suring coach Pat Nelson said. “A lot of the (Suring) kids haven’t played that much ball, and the extra ones we have from Gillett haven’t played ball for a while. Without a Babe Ruth program going on in Gillett, it was hard to get numbers. It’s a good thing we did do the co-op.”
With more players on the team, he expects the competition level to increase.
“That keeps the kids working harder in practice,” Nelson said. “There’s no goofing off, because they know there’s other kids that want to jump in there and get playing time. It makes it a little easier to push them harder in practice.”
Gillett lost eight seniors from last year. First baseman Eric Fischer, second-team all-conference, was the team’s leading hitter a season ago with 16 hits and seven RBI. Ace pitcher Derek Zahn was the team’s ace the last two years and won two games in 2014. Also gone are Jeremy and Bryce Cibulka.
Junior Brian Zahn is one of three returning starters and the only pitcher back. He also played third base last year but will be moved to first base to reduce his throwing.
Mitch Umentum was versatile in 2014 as catcher, second baseman and outfielder. Nelson is looking at having him split between catcher and center field this year.
Junior outfielder Ben Taylor had limited action at the start of last season, but by the end, he was an integral part of the team.
Nelson will rely on those three returners this year to guide their young teammates.
“Even for practice, they know the drills and stuff, so it makes it easier on me and Mike (Umentum, the assistant coach),” Nelson said.
Early in the season, Nelson has some unknowns on how he’ll utilize players. He believes newcomers Eli School, who played summer Legion ball for White Lake, Lane Hischke, Dakota Ruley and Grant Sexton will receive playing time.
Cody Smith used to catch for Suring during Babe Ruth league and could backup Umentum. Nelson is looking at School, Sexton and Smith to be his pitching staff behind ace Zahn.
Gillett/Suring seeks to have a better year hitting, and manufacturing runs, after struggling in 2014. Zahn, Umentum, Hischke and Smith will be looked upon as the top batters in the lineup.
“We’re practicing running bases a little more, and hopefully not getting picked off so much,” Nelson said.
Gillett finished last in the Marinette & Oconto Conference and finished 3-11 overall in 2014, but won its regional playoff opener against White Lake.
Nelson hopes to see the team post a better record this season.
“It might take use a few games to gel and get the right kids in the right positions, but we’re hoping we can win more games,” Nelson said.
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