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As we prepare for the upcoming 2018 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Mounds View
Nickname: Mustangs
Class: AAAA
League: Suburban East
Head Coach: Mark Downey
Years as Head Coach at School (Overall Record): 9 years (116-77)
2017 Overall Record: 17-9
2017 League Record: 10-6
2017 League Finish: N/A
2017 Post-Season Finish: Section 5AAAA Runner-Up

Returning Starters: 4
Pitchers With 15+ Innings Returning: 0

Starters Lost: 5
Pitchers with 15+ Innings Lost: 4

2017 GRADS IN COLLEGE:
Ross Indlecoffer – Iowa Western CC
Erik Holloman – St. Cloud State
Justin Langer – St. John’s
Ryan Nickel – Augustana (SD)
Matthew Laursen – St. Thomas

RETURNERS:
2018  Josh Bonde, IF/P (Grand View University)
2018 Channing Cole, OF
2018 Ben Jepko, IF
2018 Scott Kalthoff, IF/RHP
2018 Joey Lawson, IF
2018 Matt Meloch, C
2018 Nick Simser, IF
2018 Jack Zieske, OF
2018 Jake Christopherson, OF/P
2018 Kyle Folska, IF/RHP
2018 Ty Koehn, OF/P
2018 Caleb Loperfido, Utl
2018 Aman Rao, OF
2018 Matt Strong, Utl
2018 Carter Traczyk, IF

UNDERCLASSMEN TO WATCH:
2020 Ian Bahn, OF/P
2019 Matt Herold, C
2019 John Solfest, SS/RHP


2018 OUTLOOK:
“Many younger players are also excited about their opportunity to compete for playing time in 2018. The pitching staff in 2017 was dominated by seniors; they logged 87% of all innings pitched. The team ERA in 2017 was 2.42; well below our team goal of 2.99. Thus, we pitched really well last year, and most all of those 2017 innings pitched have graduated. The success of the Mustangs in 2018 will largely be determined by how well players step up to develop into a solid pitching staff throughout the season going into the Section playoffs. We also had significant senior class offensive production in 2017, with 81% of the RBI’s produced by the 2017 Senior Class. That said, we do return several position players that have significant varsity playing experience. Playing outstanding defense will always be a priority. There is obviously a strong correlation between defense and winning. Stats aren’t everything, but they do provide some perspective. Our goal each season is to field .950 or higher; a lofty goal for a high school baseball team. The Mounds View state championship teams in 2013 and 2014 fielded .954 and .971 respectively. We fielded a respectable .943 in 2017. We expect to be very solid in the field in 2018, and will strive to achieve that .950 goal. As with all seasons, we’re looking forward to a great deal of opportunity and competition for varsity playing time! We expect to see a number of different players earn some varsity playing time early in the season as they compete for playing time in the second half of the season and on into the Section playoffs.” Head Coach Mark Downey

COACHES PRESEASON QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate all of the help provided by high school coaches across the state assisting with our preseason coverage. If you have not already done so you can fill out our coaches' preseason questionnaire online by clicking here.