Top 10 Stories of 2015: No. 8 Janesville Craig Wins D1 State Title

December 21, 2015

By Matt Huck
Area Scout

Over the next few weeks in addition to highlighting the Top 10 Player Profiles of 2015, we will also highlight the Top 10 Stories in Wisconsin High School Baseball during 2015.

Janesville Craig returned to the state finals for the first time since 2009, and took home their fourth championship and first since 1998. The Cougars started out the season going 19-0, before losing to 2014 State Champion, and conference rival Sun Prairie. They then ran off ten straight wins to capture the Division I state championship. In their final ten games of the season (all victories) the Cougars outscored their opponents 71-14 en route to a 29-1 record.

The Cougars were led by team captain and High Point commit Nick Blomgren, who came into the state finals hitting .417 with 26 RBIs, and earned the save on the mound in the title game. Pitching was key for the team as well with Chase Nyborg and Alex Marro both posting sub 2.00 ERAs.

WIAA Finals: Janesville Craig is your 2015 State Champions

Fri June 19, 2015

By Spencer Flaten
Staff Writer

APPLETON, WI – The Janesville Craig Cougars had checked off several items on their to-do list for the 2015 season prior to Thursday. They were conference champions, regional champions, and sectional champions already this season. The only thing missing: a state title.

The Cougars were finally able to check that off their list on Thursday night. They defeated Kimberly 2-0 in the Division 1 state championship to claim their first title since 1998.

The game was the nightcap to an exciting day of baseball at the state tournament. Although it wasn’t the most thrilling contest of the day, it was a fitting end to a great three days.

Both Kimberly starter Tanner Haessly and Janesville Craig starter Nick Cramer were dealing throughout most of the game. Neither team really threatened to score until the 5^th inning.

In the top of the 5^th, Kimberly knocked two singles to put men on first and third base with two outs. Brice Swick stepped up the plate and lined a rocket to left field, but Craig leftfielder JT Smithback made an excellent read on the ball to make the catch and escape the danger.

In the bottom of the frame, Cramer drew a walk and both Trayton Christiansen and Jack Blomgren both singled to load the bases for Craig. McCauley Cox then drilled what would be the decisive hit of the game to center field to drive in two runs and finally give the Cougars the lead.

Ben Carew doubled to lead off the 6^th for Kimberly, but the Papermakers failed to bring him home.

Nick Blomgren, who came in to pitch in the 6^th, struck out two in the 7^th to notch the save and state title.

Cramer wasn’t overpowering on the mound for Craig, but he only gave up 4 hits in 5 innings of work. Haessly took the loss with 6 innings pitched and 2 earned runs.

Smithback was 2-for-3 for Janesville Craig to lead the offense. Carew was a perfect 3-for-3 for the Papermakers.

Janesville Craig finished the year 29-1, while Kimberly finished 26-5. This is the second consecutive year that the Papermakers fell in the state championship game.