Published: August 27, 2008 11:46 am            

Stew-Stras baseball young, but experienced

STRASBURG — Stewardson-Strasburg High School's baseball team may be young, but it isn't necessarily hurting for varsity experience.

Even though Coach Mark Wascher's squad has just two seniors and five juniors on its 19-man roster, 12 lettermen are back as the Comets look to defend a second-place finish in last year's National Trail Conference regular season.

"We have 10 players who started at one time or another last Fall, and nearly the entire squad could play varsity baseball," said Wascher, a 35-year coaching veteran beginning his 30th campaign with the Comets.

"Defense is the strength of this group, and half the squad could take the mound and keep us in a ballgame."

Captain Ben Giertz, a shortstop and the Comets' most reliable pitcher, has moved on to play basketball at Lake Land College in Mattoon, while team MVP Phil Wetherell takes his powerful bat and right arm to play baseball at Kaskaskia College in Centralia.

Stew-Stras was 6-2 in the NTC, finishing third in the conference tournament. Overall, the Comets were 8-7.

"Lack of offensive punch and varsity pitching experience are our weaknesses," said Wascher. "Giertz, Wetherell and Jaden Widdersheim did the vast amount of pitching last year and only Widdersheim returns."

Wascher's two seniors are infielder/pitcher Justin Mechling and first baseman/outfielder Jacob Tabbert.

"Mechling has played varsity four years and is a steady fielder," said Wascher. "Tabbert mostly played right field and was a backup first baseman to Wetherell."

Five junior letterwinners round out Wascher's crop of upperclassmen.

"Most of the juniors have two years of varsity playing time already," said Wascher. "Widdersheim will head our list of pitchers; his record was 4-1 with a team-leading 1.70 ERA last fall.

"Will Rincker and Chris Koontz had a little work in varsity action, but will be counted on to get some wins in the NTC. Both are outfielders.

"Steven Thomas will patrol center field and bat in the leadoff position; he led the team last fall in runs, hits and stolen bases.

"Micah Slifer is a swift-footed outfielder, but the majority of his varsity playing time has been spent as a pinch runner or courtesy runner."

Five of the eight sophomores to suit up for the Comets this season will do so with some varsity experience.

"All five are pretty fair defensive players, but will be expected to contribute offensively this year," said Wascher. "Clayton Brandt will continue to do the bulk of the catching, but will also play shortstop.

"Lucas Helton will get a lot of playing time as a catcher, too, and is vying for a starting job at third base.

"Kyle Helmuth has established himself as an outfielder; he and some others give us a lot of speed in the outfield.

"Luke Rincker can play any position except catcher. His most likely spots will be on the left side of the infield.

"Gabe Wascher has played all infield positions and generally will play third base, although he may see the second base side of the field when Mechling pitches."

Wascher says Helton, Helmuth and L. Rincker can all also expect to pitch at one point or another.

"Our three other sophomores, Henry Ballinger, James Overbeck and Brandon Thomas, have good baseball skills," continued Wascher. "The freshmen include Nicholas Ferris, Wade Mathis, Zach Rincker and Brendan Wascher. All have good offensive and defensive skills."

Wascher is assisted by longtime sidekick Frank Brandt, also a former standout with the Comets.

"We only lost two players off a squad that nearly won the conference," said Wascher on his outlook for the season. "However those two players will be hard to replace.

"There will be a lot of parity in the NTC this year, and newcomer Dieterich will make for an even tougher conference schedule next season."

Dustin White can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 123 or dustin.white@effinghamdailynews.com.