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The start of the spring season is always affected by weather, the 2023 season isn't any different. However the snow is melting and teams are starting to hit the fields. Some teams already have some games under their belts. Here's an overview of what to expect this spring in Class A and B. Here are the inital Midco Sports Rankings for each class:

Class A

1. Washington 

The Warriors are not the overwhelming top team, but they have the most solid roster heading into the season. Their pitching staff is among the deepest in the state with Myles Rees, Bryce Ronken, Andrew Glovich, Dylan Rippentrop, Aiden Doyle, Tommy Peterson and Carter Doescher. Their lineup features Rees, Ronken, Glovich, Tristan Fitzsimmons and Jacob Muchow.

 

2. Jefferson

Kyler Miritello is one of the best players in the state, he started the season out with a no-hit shutout against Roosevelt. He leads a solid staff into the season. The lineup can do some damage too. Cohen Henry leads off the lineup with Mason Riley, Thomas Heiberger, Treyson Harty-Olsen and Ryan Rysavy to fill out the heart of the order.

 

3. Yankton

The Bucks have been building for the last couple of years. This season 6 starters return, and they’ll have solid pitching and defense to try to make a run to the state tournament. Coach Drew Lawrence is ready to get going with this group, “In order for us to be successful, we need good pitching performances and be clean on defense. Limit defensive mistakes and have productive at bats.” Drew Ryken, Lucas Kampshoff, Sean Turner and Matthew Sheldon are the core of their pitching staff. Kampshoff, Drew Ryken, Rugby Ryken and Matthew Sheldon are the heartbeat of the batting order.

 

4. Mitchell

Last season the Kernels were at their best at the end of the season making it to the title game. They’ll bring back their all-state shortstop Dylan Soulek to lead the way. He already homered in the opener against Pierre this season. Karter Sibson, Lincoln Bates, and Hudson Haley fill out a good, experienced lineup. The pitching rotation features Peyton Schroeder, Dylan Soulek and Gavin Soukup at the top.

 

 

5. Lincoln

The Pats captured a state title with timely hitting, good pitching and they did it with a lot of underclassmen last year. “We return a good group of boys from last year’s squad, including Tournament MVP Lincoln Vasgaard as a pitcher and hitter,” said Coach Jordon Johnson. “We have the tools to be something special this year, but I believe it will take a little for us to fully gel into what we can become.” Ryan Husman, Lincoln Vasgaard, Nate Motl, Sawyer Tolk, Sawyer Mindt, and Kooper Perry return. They have to stay consistent at the plate and find a few more arms to develop this season.

 

Others

Pierre – The Govs are looking to improve on a very average year. They’ll need more from their offense and they should get it with Jack Merkwan, Lincoln Kienholz, Brecken Krueger and Jonny Lyons in the order. Lincoln Kienholz, Jett Zabel and Jackson Edman are three arms that will supply a lot of innings for Pierre.

Brandon Valley – The Lynx finished 18-12 last year and have a ton of talent back including seniors Dawson Mork, Tayton Stroh, Daniel Butyen and Cole Frisbie. Sophomore, Aiden Zerr, is their only returning all-state player. Tate Ivers, Tayden Mitchell and Jared Zerr will lead the way on the mound, but they have a ton of arms they’ll be able to roll out as the season goes on. “We have a solid group of seniors that earned experience over the summer legion season,” said Coach Jeremy VanHeel.

Roosevelt – The Riders have some good top-end talent on the roster, but they’ll need to fill out their team with more depth to compete this year. Jack Radel is headed to Notre Dame to play baseball next year. He is their most trusted pitcher. Jaxon DeHaan, and Noah Verdoorn will also log some solid innings. Look for some run production from their top four in the lineup, Jaxsen Grevengoed, Jacob Mongar, Radel and DeHaan.

Harrisburg – The Tigers have some good hitters this season. Jack Riley, Tiegan Munce, Maddux Scherer, Noah Boschee and Palmer Boyd to name a few. They have a good rotation of arms in Braxton Kusler, Eli Kokenge, and Maddox Plack.

O’Gorman – The Knights return their top two pitchers from last year in Jake Wheeler and Bennett Dannenbring. They also return Joe Niedringhaus, Charlie Hueners, Zach Dunham, Isaac Wilson and Sully Schlimgen. “Early in the year we need to have focus on our pitching and defense,” said Coach Dan Hughes. “Until we get more live at bats we have to be able to make routine plays and limit free bases. I do feel offensively we have guys in our lineup that can get the job done and also hit for some power.”

Brookings -  The Bobcats are always in contention, this season they have All-State pitcher Nathan Lease to rely on. Austin Clark, Breck Hirrschoff and Justin Coffell give the team some experienced leaders.  

 CLASS A Players to Watch

Cohen Henry, Jefferson

Lucas Kampshoff, Yankton

Lincoln Kienholz, Pierre

Kyler Miritello, Jefferson

Jack Radel, SF Roosevelt

Dawson Rogers, Huron

Bryce Ronken, SF Washington

Dylan Soulek, Mitchell

Sawyer Tolk, Lincoln

Lincoln Vasgaard, Lincoln

Jake Wheeler, O'Gorman

Aiden Zerr, Brandon Valley

 

Class B

1. Dell Rapids

The two-time defending state champions come in with a target this season. They have a lot of talent returning as they go for the three-peat. They have the arms with Jack Henry leading the way to be dominant again. Tad Tjaden, Treyse Eastman, Brayden Pankonen, Joe Rechtenbaugh, Will Jaton and Drake Eastman give them as much depth in pitching as anyone in the state. At the plate they’ll need to replace some of the best hitters in the state with the loss of Landon Ruesink, Aiden Boechler and potentially Dylan Mathis (ACL Injury). Look for Mason Stubbe, Henry, Pankonen, CJ Smith, Jaton and Treyse Eastman to all contribute offensively.

2. Dakota Valley

The Panthers are determined to close the gap in Class B with 7 of 9 starters returning from a state tournament team last year. They also feature Jake Pruchniak as their ace, who went 13-1 last season with a 0.67 ERA. Beau Pollema teams up with Jake to form one of the most potent 1-2 punches in the state, regardless of class. The offense is loaded with Isaac Bruns, Jaxon Hennies, Randy Rosenquist and Garret Anderson all back.

 

3. Winner/Colome

The Royals are always in competition at or near the top of Class B. This season they return Aiden Barfuss, Pierce Nelson, and Eathan Bartels as the leaders of this team. Barfuss hit .543 last spring with 8 xbh and 17 RBI’s. Eathan Bartels led the pitching staff with 34.2 IP, and a 2.02 ERA.

 

4. West Central

The Trojans went 12-3 last season and made it to the state tournament. Their sights are set on another big year with 7 key players back and group of up-and-coming kids ready to contribute. Deuce Sherard had a break out season last spring and leads a strong group of seniors including Brayden Odegaard and Andrew Zimmer. Brodie Herr and Caden Alfson are underclassmen who are amongst the team’s best hitters. The pitching staff is deep with Zimmer, Owen Heath, Odegaard, Cade Vanderwoude, Herr, Keaton vessels, and Landen Holewa ready to go. That depth could get them through a tough spring season and more importantly make them a tough out in the playoffs.

 

5. Bon Homme/Avon

After a 10-4 season, BH/A brings back a lot of talent including 8 starters and their ace Riley Rothschadl. This team is fast and has some spark at the plate. Rothschadl hit .442 with 4 HRs last year and is headed to Augustana to play next year. Landon Bares is another .400 hitter in the middle of the order. Rothschadl leads the way on the mound with Logan Winckler as a strong number two in the rotation.

 

6. Lennox

The Orioles are back in contention this spring. “We return our entire pitching staff and our infield along with some talented freshman,” said Coach Drew Sweeter. “We return seniors Conner Eich, Braedon Wulf, Sawyer Bowers who all were huge pitchers for us last year and Conner was a big bat for us.” Lennox can hit with the best in the class and have some young players ready to make their mark with freshman Talen Eich, juniors Isaac Bambas and Braxton Musser.

 

7. Howard

Howard went 9-4 last season but fell just short of the state tournament. “We have a lot of experience on this year’s team,” said Coach Nick Koepsell. Seven of the players that were on the 2021 team that qualified for state are still on the team. Jack Neises and Griffin Clubb are senior leaders with sophomore Luke Koepsell. Kade Shumaker, senior Ryder Erickson, junior Colby Claussen, junior Kolt Koepsell, & junior Karsyn Feldhaus will all be strong contributors.

8. Tea Area

The Titans have been improving each year. This year they’ll be ready to compete with anyone. “We expect our team to be competitive with any team we play,” said Tom Babb. They went 9-3 on a limited schedule last year with a couple of all-state players. Logan Boom and Nathan Babb are among the biggest offensive threats in the class. Clayton Schwebach is another key cog in the lineup. Babb and Schwebach are two of the best pitchers on the staff with Boom, Ethan Vis, Nate Christensen, and Boston Willemssen all competing.

 

9. Madison

The Bulldogs lost a huge senior class that got them to the state semis last year. Luckily, they have one largest roster in class B to help reload. “We have 44 players out for baseball in Madison and have 7 all-volunteer coaches,” said Coach Eric Hortness. They will look to Mason Kennington, Jared Kennington, and Hayden Kane, to lead this team.

 

10. MVPCS

The Mount Vernon/Plankinton/Corsica-Stickney Padres would love to improve on their 9-6 record a year ago. They have a lot of experience on this year’s team who played well as freshmen and sophomores a year ago. Their arms are stocked with Isaiah Olson, Tyson Wentland and Mason Hetland leading the way. Blaine Bohr the junior outfielder is primed to be a big hitter. Look for big things from this Padres team.

 

 

CLASS B PLAYERS TO WATCH

Caden Alfson, West Central

Nathan Babb, Tea Area

Aiden Barfuss, Winner/Colome

Logan Bobzin, Centerville

Logan Boom, Tea Area

Isaac Bruns, Dakota Valley

Fehi Faonelua, Redfield Area

Jack Henry, Dell Rapids

Dawson Hoffman, PG/DC/WL

Brayden Jervik, Parkston

Dylan Mathis, Dell Rapids

Dakota Munger, C/K/L

Brayden Pankonen, Dell Rapids

Rylan Peck, Gregory County

Jake Pruchniak, Dakota Valley

Keaton Rohlfs, Redfield Area

Riley Rothschadl, Bon Homme/Avon

Deuce Sherrard, West Central

Tyson Wentland, MV/P/C-S