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As we prepare for the upcoming 2023 high school season, we will be taking a preseason glimpse at programs from around the state.

Team: Van Meter
Nickname: Bulldogs
Class: 2A
League: West Central
Head Coach: Eben Baumhover
Years as Head Coach at School (Overall Record): 4 years (127-12-1)
2022 Overall Record: 39-0
2022 League Record: 20-0
2022 League Finish: 1st
2022 Post-Season Finish: 2A State Champion

# of Returning Starters: 4
# of Pitchers With 15+ Innings Returning: 4

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

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 
- Cole Moore, C/3B/P, 2025, L/R, 6ft 2in 205lbs, 2023 PG Preseason Underclassman All American, PG Top 500 National Rank, and 2022 PG Class of 2025 All American Games Participant, Cole is a very talented young player who has earned his recognition from countless hours and weekends spent on improving we look for him to be a big help this season. - Ike Speltz, 1B, 2023, R/R, 6ft 200lbs, 2022 1st Team All-State, 2022 WCC 1st Team All Conference, and 2022 1st Team All District (Central District), Ike is a great player and better leader/person. He is what every coach hopes to have in terms of worker and will help set the tone for our team as a leader this season. - Carter Durflinger, CF/2B/SS, 2023, L/R, 6ft 180lbs, 2022 2nd Team All District (Central District), and 2022 IABaseball 3rd Team All State, Carter is the pulse of this team and has been a productive player at the varsity level for multiple years and we hope he only builds on that this season. - Ben Gilliland, 3B/C/P, 2023, R/R, 5ft 10in 190lbs, 2022 WCC 1st Team All Conference, and 2022 2nd Team All District (Central District), Ben has been a very productive player at the varsity level for multiple seasons now and is a constant example for his peers on how to work and compete we expect Ben to only build upon his success thus far. - Austin Baumhover, INF/P, 2024, R/R, 6ft 180lbs, 2022 2nd Team All District (Central District), 2022 WCC 1st Team All Conference, Austin has battled through some tough luck injuries to be a very productive varsity player for two seasons we believe Austin will only be more comfortable this season helping pace our offense. - Rhett Pleggenkuhle, P/INF, 2024, R/R, 6ft 2in 190lbs, Rhett has been extremely productive at the plate in scattered appearances over the last couple seasons he also has been a steady arm for us on the mound the last two seasons and has improved vastly in every aspect of his game we look for him to make a big impact for us.

ALUMNI CURRENTLY PLAYING COLLEGE BASEBALL: 
Anthony Pothoff - Bradley University
Zach Pleggenkuhle - BVU
Reese Moore - University of Iowa
Ganon Archer - Kirkwood CC (Committed to Iowa)
Jack Pettit - St. Olaf College

2023 OUTLOOK:
“Our team will have a mix of some familiar names and some new names. We believe we will be very competitive this season in the 2A landscape. Our regular season schedule that features teams like Urbandale, Ankeny Centennial, North Polk, and DCG will help prepare us for the postseason. Our hope is to have a chance to compete at the highest level when it matters most at the end of the season.” 
Head Coach Eben Baumhover