Preseason Power 25: No. 2 Indian Trail

March 27, 2017

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: Indian Trail
Preseason Rank: 2
2016 Record: 23-4
Conference: Southeast
WIAA Division: 1
Head Coach: Mike Schmidt
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional
2016 Final Rank: 5
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3

TOP PLAYERS

Name	State	School	Class	Pos	Commitment
Ryan Hoerter	WI	Indian Trail	2017	RHP/1B	Auburn
Nick Elsen	WI	Indian Trail	2018	OF/RHP	Kent State
Kyle Antos	WI	Indian Trail	2017	C	Bradley
Nick Zeeveld	WI	Indian Trail	2017	DH/C
Griffin Klein	WI	Indian Trail	2017	SS	Wisconsin-Parkside
Alex Tricoli-Walkanoff	WI	Indian Trail	2017	2B	Heartland CC
Adam Cairo	WI	Indian Trail	2018	OF
Mason Fanelle	WI	Indian Trail	2018	LHP
Max Bruff	WI	Indian Trail	2019	UTL
Alex Huissen	WI	Indian Trail	2019	OF
Miles Rodriguez	WI	Indian Trail	2019	OF

X-FACTOR

Seniors Nick Elsen and Ryan Hoerter. Both Elsen and Hoerter Nicholas Elsen are Division I commits, Hoerter to Auburn and Elsen to Kent State. Both will play a big role for the Hawks this year on the mound and at the plate. Hoerter was the ace of the staff last season posting an 8-0 record with a 1.17 ERA, while hitting .400 and playing first base when he is not pitching. Elsen will start in centerfield again this year after hitting .396 and going 4-0 on the mound with a 0.79 ERA in 2016. Both Hoerter and Elsen were named first team all conference a season ago.

STAT RAT

3: The number of Division I commits the Hawks have on their team. Seniors Ryan Hoerter (Auburn), Nick Elsen (Kent State), and Kyle Antos (Bradley).

OUTLOOK

Last year the buzz around the Hawks was all about senior SS Gavin Lux, who ended up being the 20^th overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and was a first team all American by Baseball America after hitting .524 with six homeruns, 30 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases. Though it will be hard to replace a first round draft pick, the Hawks are still loaded for the 2017 season. A trio of Division I signees headline the lineup and pitching staff with Ryan Hoerter, Nick Elsen, and Kyle Antos. Senior Griffin Klein hit .314 last year and split time at second and third in 2016, will be the likely candidate to shift to shortstop. Junior Catcher Nick Zeeveld will see most of his time at DH, with Antos handling the day to day catching duties, and hit .348 last year as a sophomore. Juniors Adam Cairo and Mason Fanelle will slot into the lineup this season. A trio of sophomores to keep an eye on this spring are Max Bruff, Miles Rodriguez, and Alex Huissen. Huissen is an athletic outfielder with speed and a strong arm. The Hawks had a surprising early exit from the playoffs last year, but will be ready again to compete for a state title again this season. The Hawks have the depth and experience to take home a state title in 2017.