6B Summer Preview DYERSVILLE COMMERCIAL • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2013 Beckman plans to reload baseball team BY BETH LUTGEN Sports Editor • [email protected] After a state champion- ship season in 2012, the Beckman Blazers are head- ing back to the ball diamond with the same goal they al- ways have — not to lose the last game they play. With seven lettermen re- turning, the Blazers are ready to start the season on a high note. “We return two of the top pitching prospects in Iowa — Adam Noethe and Joey Lehmann. They were 18-0 between them in 2012. We lost some very dedicated seniors, but the 2013 team is ready to reload and not rebuild.” The lettermen who are Beth Lutgen • Staff Photo returning to the field are Beckman’s 2013 varsity baseball team: front from left, Nicole Kluesner, Logan Welling, Tyler Knepper, Zac Lyon, Mitch Steger, Ian Ross, seniors Michael Boeckenst- Levi Lawrence, Mitch Kruse, Dakota Rueber and Mimi Oberbroeckling; second row, Lindsey Hermsen, Emily Ney, Connor Klostermann, edt (first base), Mitch Kruse Tony Anstoetter, Michael Boeckenstedt, Ben Loeffelholz, Riley Vorwald, Todd Engelken, Eric Boeckenstedt and Leah Feldman; back (catcher), Levi Lawrence row, coach Tom Jenk Jr., assistant coach Jimmy Boeckenstedt, Sam Deutmeyer, Hunter Sabers, Joey Lehmann, Nick Houselog, Nathan (infield/pitcher), Lehmann Digmann, Adam Noethe and assistant coach Fred Martin. (first base/pitcher), Noethe (pitcher/outfield) and Ian Noethe and Ross were The top newcomers on said finding his teams third, tral DeWitt and West Dela- the mix.” Ross (infield/pitcher); and both first-team all-confer- this year’s squad include fourth and fifth legitimate ware as the top teams this Jenk is back for his 39th junior Mitch Steger (outfield/ ence honorees last year and senior Todd Engelken (out- pitchers, not just throwers, year. year at the helm of the Blazer pitcher). Lehmann was second team. field) and sophomore Con- as his biggest challenge for This year, Jenk said it was program. Heading into the Those returnees are fresh That trio also earned all-dis- nor Klostermann (infield/ the coming season. “impossible” to predict his season, he held a 944-441 off a 2012 campaign that trict honors and Noethe (sec- pitcher). When looking at the team’s finish, “but our goal record. Fred Martin, Aaron boasted a state title, an unde- ond team) and Ross (third Jenk cited pitching, men- WaMaC Conference, Jenk stays the same year in and Becker, Jimmy Boeckenst- feated conference title (14-0) team) were named all-state tality for game and tradition picked Beckman, Western year out — win the confer- edt and Dylan Slattery will all and a 38-7 overall record. performers. as his teams’ strengths. He Dubuque, Maquoketa, Cen- ence title. We should be in serve as assistant coaches. Young Blazers look forward to new year BY BEC WILLENBORG ence in the battery with Amie Sports Writer and Carley Vaske, and up the [email protected] middle of the field. Our new players have good speed.” With only two returning Returning players include seniors, the Beckman softball juniors Vaske and Kayla team will depend on their un- Decker at shortstop, and derclassmen to fill key roles sophomores Abbie Decker, on the 2013 team. Kristen and Lauren Faust, The returning seniors all fielders. Osterhaus is are Amie Conrad and Laura looking at newcomers and Brehm. Conrad will again sophs Taylor Brant, Maci take her place behind the Jacque, Cori Scherbring, plate, a position she has held Erin Steger and Keri Wells, as for all four years of her varsity well as eighth grader Kellie experience. Brehm covers Engelken, to quickly provide second base, and the two will talent at the open spots. For- be expected to provide that mer player Abby Steger will senior leadership so many act as assistant this season. teams depend upon. Osterhaus listed her weak- Coach Jane Osterhaus, en- ness on the team as that tering her fourth year at the same youth and their lack of helm of the program, is up- depth on the pitching staff. beat about this year’s team. But she hopes for her team “We are going to be young, to end in about the middle but we are very energetic and of the conference, similar to Bec Willenborg • Staff Photo have the determination to their fifth place of last year, Beckman’s 2013 varsity softball team: front from left, coach Jane Osterhaus, Kayla Decker, Kelly Engelken, work hard to fill and compete behind leaders Solon, West Lauren Faust, Taylor Brant, Carley Vaske and assistant coach Abby Steger; back row, Amie Conrad, Maci for the vacancies from last Delaware, Mount Vernon Ling, Kristen Faust, Erin Steger, Abbie Decker, Laura Brehm and manager Monika Hosch. year. We have good experi- and Maquoketa. Vikings look to fi ll holes from last year BY BEC WILLENBORG ing new pitchers who have Sports Writer been working hard this [email protected] winter. “Our tenacious running After graduating most game does not depend on of their infield, as well as varsity experience, so we their top four pitchers, the should continue to be dan- Edgewood-Colesburg Vi- gerous on the base paths kings are looking for help and keep opposing batter- to plug those holes. ies on their toes all game Coach Aaron Hamann long. This will be especially enters his fifth year for the important in a conference program with hopes in his that graduated a number younger players. “This sea- of top-notch catchers.” son’s strength has to be in Hamann cited returning our lower grades and their players seniors Tyler Priem enthusiasm to improve. and Spencer Varner, ju- There are a lot of holes niors Tyler Fisher, Austin T. left behind from last year’s Hansel and Tyler Ries, soph team. Our outfield should Joe Meisner, and frosh be stable with three upper- Austin Meyer and Kolton Ed-Co’s 2013 varsity baseball team: front from left, Austin Meyer, Seth Hoeger, Mike Jones, Kolton Moser, classmen stepping up as Moser. Joe Meisner and Dawson Harbaugh; second row, Austin B. Hansel, Nick Oldfather, Brady Helle, Tyler Ries, leaders out there, and we Dylan Palmersheim, Michael Lueken and Austin T. Hansel; back row, coach Aaron Hamann, Peter Cialfi , Ty- have a couple of promis- VIKINGS ~ turn to page 8B ler Fisher, Tyler Priem, Spencer Varner and assistant Rod Varner. Then & Kramer Geo-Thermal Construction Auto Parts Spec Cast Dyersville • 875-2626 Epworth • 563-543-8927 Dyersville • 875-8171 Dyersville • 875-8905 Dyersville • 875-8706 Brunkan Equipment Dyersville • 875-7131 Dyersville • 875-2716 Worthington • 855-2434 Dyersville • 875-7455 Tegeler Farmers Body & Frame Shipping Wrecker & Crane, Inc. 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