The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 28, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 20, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Over the next several weeks, leading up to opening day, we will be rolling out team previews of high school teams all across the state and across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25.

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team. If you don’t see your team’s season preview make sure your head coach fills out his Preseason Questionnaire.

Team: Eau Claire Memorial
Preseason Rank: 14
2016 Record: 24-3
Conference: Big Rivers
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Dan Roehl
Playoff Run: Sectional Finals
2016 Final Rank: 9
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Pitchers: 0

TOP PLAYERS

X-FACTOR

Senior Adam Krajewski is coming off a second team all conference season where he hit nearly .400. Aside from his stat line and prowess behind the plate, Krajewski is a bonafide team leader. As the Old Abe catcher he is the captain of the field and first year head coach Dan Roehl will likely rely on Krajewski to add a helping hand to bring along the inexperienced ECM roster.

STAT RAT

2: The number of returning starters to the Old Abe roster, but don't let that number fool you. Memorial was a senior heavy team in 2016 and took a run all the way to the sectional finals. However the junior class has some of the top prospects in the state, and many have wrote the Old Abes off in the Big Rivers this year with Eau Clarie North and Chippewa Falls poised for big years. Memorial may have the most talented group in the Big Rivers, just lacking varsity experience. Don't be surprised if this group puts it all together come playoff time.

OUTLOOK

The inexperience of Eau Claire will clearly be a hurdle in 2017. From first year coach Dan Roehl to limited varsity experience returning to the roster, ECM will need to learn in a hurry. The upside for Coach Roehl is that he has one of the more talented teams in the state. RHP's Jack Brown and Zach Gustafson are two of the better junior arms in the state. Both have the ability to pound the zone with multiple pitches while Brown can reach the upper 80's with his fastball. Two-way standout and Arkansas commit Tanner Kohlhepp will likely start at shortstop and hit in the middle of the lineup, while also picking up closer duties along the way. On the mound Kohlepp has a plus slider to go along with his 86-88 mph fastball a nearly unhittable repertoire when he's on. 2018 Keegan Calchera and 2019 Jack Fentress could be a pair of names to follow this season as the Old Abes reload. Look for Memorial to run out an underclass heavy lineup with some senior leadership to keep it all together.

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