Good pitching and defense, the announcers are forever reminding us, constitute the simple equation to winning baseball. This is good news at Menominee Indian High School, where the Eagles are justified in looking for improvement to last year’s 16-8 mark.
“Our middle infield will be tough,” Menominee Indian coach Chris Rice said. “And our pitchers will give opposing hitters trouble. Defense and pitching should be our strong points.”
Throw in the fact that the Eagles can manufacture runs and hang tough in close games, and it is easy to appreciate the high spirits this spring in Keshena. Menominee Indian was outhit 10-4 in its opener at Port Edwards, and was tied 6-6 in the fifth after leading 6-0.
Not a problem, though, as the Eagles made the most of 10 walks and fought back to win 9-7.
Untidy games are the earmark of early season, but the rough edges are easier to take in victory. With the redoubtable pitching staff that Rice has at his disposal, winning could become a fast habit.
A couple of junior pitchers, Nick Corn and Ty Latender, will carry much of the load this season for the Eagles, who look to improve on last year’s 12-6 record in the Central Wisconsin Conference-10. Latender threw three one-hitters last season, struck out 43 and had an ERA of 1.14. Corn had a 3.19 ERA and fanned 29 last year for Menominee Indian, whose pitchers combined to strike out 15 Port Edwards hitters in this season’s opener.
Corn plays shortstop and outfield when he isn’t pitching, and when he is, Latender plays short. Both were second-team all-CWC-10 picks a year ago. Latender was also second-team all-conference in 2013.
Senior Forrest Webster, an honorable mention all-CWC-10 last year, returns, as does senior third baseman/catcher/pitcher Michael Pecore, a three-year starter.
Senior John Maskewit missed most of last season due to a hamstring injury, but the letter-winner outfielder is back, as is junior outfielder/catcher Bryan Madosh, a starter last season.
Menominee Indian graduated three starters from last year’s lot — pitcher Richard Corn, first baseman Lowell Chevalier and catcher Dallas Madosh.
But senior Waylon Penass, a letter-winner last year, is back to play first base and pitch, and freshman Dayton Latender will see playing time at second base.
“I think we’re going to be strongest fielding the ball,” Rice said. “But we have a very tough schedule.”
In addition to formidable challenges from perennial CWC-10 powerhouse Rosholt, Menominee Indian will play a couple of nonconference games against Iola-Scandinavia, which returns seven starters from last year’s CWC-8 champion group.
“We won’t win many games being outhit like we were in the opener,” Rice said. “We’ll have to really be aggressive at the plate. Michael Pecore and Waylon Penass are a couple of pitchers who we need to work into the mix, so we should be solid at pitching. We’re looking forward to a good season.”
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