This story is sponsored by: The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
Cloverbelt Conference East Division co-champion Spencer had a pair of first-team selections and two others earn all-conference honors for the 2015 baseball season.
Spencer junior shortstop/pitcher Bobby Pilz was named the Cloverbelt East Player of the Year, an honor that he also earned during the 2014-15 boys basketball season.
Pilz was joined on the first team by teammate Mitch Susa, a senior infielder/pitcher.
Junior second baseman Jonny Tomke and junior catcher/pitcher Calvin Lenz were second-team picks, and first baseman Ryan Busse, also a junior, was an honorable mention choice for the Rockets, who were 20-5 and tied Neillsville for first place in the conference with a 15-1 mark.
“Bobby Pilz is the ultimate competitor,” Spencer coach Justin Rayburn said. “He wants the ball on the mound in the biggest games. He is one of those kids that performs his best in big moments against good teams.
“Mitch Susa constantly works on his game. Whether Mitch goes 4-for-4 or 0-for-4, he will be working on the tees, taking extra swings in the cage, whatever it takes to better his game.”
Columbus Catholic’s Kienan McIntee, a senior infielder/pitcher, was also named to the first team. Senior infielder/pitcher Jeremy Binder and sophomore infielder Tyler Fuerlinger were second-team selections for the Dons, who finished 10-11 overall and 8-8 and tied for fourth place in the conference.
“Kienan dealt with a hip flexor problem in the middle of the season but had a good second half,” Columbus coach Joe Seitz said. “He batted third in the lineup and a .418 avearge and led the team in extra base hits. He also had 59 strikeouts in 36 innings.
“Tyler batted second to start the year and became our leadoff hitter. He handles the bat very well and became a very good defensive player. Jeremy was our No. 1 pitcher and became our most clutch hitter down the stretch.”
2015 All-Cloverbelt Conference East Division Baseball Team
First Team: Andy Hogden, sr., Colby; Kienan McIntee, sr., Marshfield Columbus Catholic; Kody Learman, sr., Greenwood; Devin Opelt, sr., Neillsville; Nathan Peterson, sr., Neillsville; Nolan Matson, sr., Neillsville; Sam Neville, sr., Neillsville; Neal Matson, sr., Neillsville; Bobby Pilz, jr., Spencer; Mitch Susa, jr., Spencer.
Second Team: Jeremy Binder, sr., Marshfield Columbus Catholic; Tyler Fuerlinger, so., Marshfield Columbus Catholic; Booker Bredlau, sr., Greenwood; Dane Toburen, sr., Greenwood; Brenden Collins, jr., Loyal; Riley Geiger, so., Loyal; Jason Kurth, jr., Neillsville; Nate McDonald, sr., Neillsville; Kole Karaba, so., Owen-Withee; Calvin Lenz, jr., Spencer; Jonny Tomke, jr., Spencer.
Honorable Mention: Aaron Morrow, fr., Colby; Zach Person, fr., Gilman; Jesse Ogle, sr., Gilman; Seth Naedler, sr., Granton; Riley Fischer, sr., Loyal; Jake Kunze, jr., Neillsville; Hayden Houts, sr., Owen-Withee; Ben Esker, jr., Owen-Withee; Kolton Kaduce, sr., Owen-Withee; A.J. Ovyn, fr., Owen-Withee; Ryan Busse, jr., Spencer.
Player of the Year: Bobby Pilz, Spencer.