If you subscribe to the time-worn postulate about pitching being 90 percent of baseball, then you can appreciate the level of optimism at Gresham Community School this spring.
The Wildcats, who return seven starters from last year’s squad, have a glut of talented arms at the ready, and a serious run at a Central Wisconsin Conference-10 title is anticipated.
“We’re looking forward to a great season,” Gresham coach Scott Cerveny said. “We’re set in the pitching position.”
Gone from the 9-12 club of a year ago is Scott Cerveny Jr., who as a pitcher, catcher and shortstop was a unanimous all-conference pick.
Back for another go are senior second baseman Kevin Ile, senior pitcher-catcher Christian Haffner, senior left fielder and third baseman Riley Neitzer, junior infielder-outfielder Beau Hoffman, sophomore pitcher and shortstop Neal Cerveny, sophomore pitcher and center fielder Derek Bowman, and sophomore pitcher and first baseman Ray Creapeau.
The road to the conference championship figures to run through Rosholt, which last year went 18-0 in league play, winning the title by a cozy six games over second-place Menominee Indian.
Nobody in the league knocked off Rosholt, but Gresham was the only team in conference to play the Hornets to a one-run game, an 8-7 setback last May 9.
The already formidable roster was strengthened with the addition of freshman pitcher-center fielder Drew Haffner, sophomore outfielder Legacy Skenadore and junior outfielder Dustin Thomas.
“I am excited to work with these athletes,” Scott Cerveny Sr. said. “I have worked with most of them in the youth baseball program and know the talent these players have.”
The Wildcats probably won’t have to wait long to see which way the winds are blowing in the CWC-10. They open with Tigerton, which swept them in last year’s season series and knocked them out of the playoffs, then take on Menominee Indian and Wild Rose before traveling to Rosholt for their fourth game.
Whether the young arms will all fulfill the potential that the Gresham coaching staff believes they have remains to be seen. Every baseball fan in the town will second the notion put forth by Scott Cerveny Sr. when he said, “I am excited to see what this year will bring.”
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