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: Columbus
Preseason Rank: 24
2016 Record: 19-6
Conference: Capitol North
WIAA Division: 2
Head Coach: Bob Jansen
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Finals
2016 Final Rank: NR
 

TOP PLAYERS

X-FACTOR

The Capitol North hurdle has been a burden for the Cardinals with Lodi winning the conference the last five consecutive years. Columbus has not made a state tournament appearance since 1992. With the teams depth on the mound and underclassmen gaining valuable experience on last years 19-6 squad, look for the Cardinals to make a splash in the state playoffs this year.

STAT RAT

3: The number of starters the Cardinals return to their pitching staff for 2017. Eliot Turnquist paced the staff last season with a perfect 5-0 record and a team leading 1.35 ERA. Senior Peyton Henry went 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA and Junior Randon Dauman went 4-4 with a 3.31 ERA.

OUTLOOK

The Cardinals should challenge to be one of the top teams in Division 2 this year with two solid seniors in Peyton Henry and Eliot Turnquist working in the middle infield and on the mound. A pair of 2018 Division I commits in Randon Dauman (Ohio) and Connor Manthey (Bradley) were both named to the Capitol North All-Conference team as underclassmen.  

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