Arendt, Donaldson lead De Pere to state semifinal win

By: Doug Ritchay, FOX 11
Wed, June 12th 2024 at 5:38 PM
Updated Wed, June 12th 2024 at 7:33 PM

The previous two seasons De Pere had its season end with sectional final losses, and when you're one step away from the state tournament that loss or losses really hurt.

This season De Pere finally won that sectional title and Wednesday the Redbirds moved one win away from winning the program's first state baseball title.

Behind great pitching from Axel Donaldson and the all-around play of Easton Arendt, De Pere defeated Westosha Central 8-1 in a Division 1 state semifinal baseball game at Fox Cities Stadium.

"Last year, with the disappointing sectional loss, our guys are hungry, they want it so bad," coach Bob Van Rens said. "We're one game away, it's so exciting for our seniors to get this opportunity.

"Hopefully, it goes the right way. We're going to do everything we can."

"Means a lot," Arendt said of reaching the state title game. "Getting knocked out in sectionals the last two years was a bummer and to make it to the state final is huge."

Speaking of huge, that was Arendt's performance. The senior, who was the winning pitcher in Monday's state quarterfinal, went 2 for 3 with a double and two-run triple in the first inning to get the scoring going. Furthermore, he was "throwing leather" in the outfield as he tracked down a couple fly balls that seem destined to be hits.

"Easton's play today was outstanding," Van Rens said. "Some of those balls, there's not many guys who would track some of those balls down. Off the ball, I thought, 'There's a gapper,' and there he was. I shouldn't be surprised, he's done it all year.

Then offensively, he's come through as well, especially in the clutch situations."

Arendt downplayed his defense, but anyone watching knew he made great plays. He actually caught six flyballs in the game.

"It's pretty challenging," Arendt said of playing the big outfield at Fox Cities Stadium. "I got a little lucky on a couple balls playing the right spot and was able to get to it."

Meanwhile, Donaldson picked up where Arendt left off on the mound. The senior tossed 6 2/3 innings, struck out six and walked one. He was pulled with one out left in the game as he hit the 100-pitch limit.

"Axel's just a bulldog on the mound," Van Rens said. "We got a lot of good pitchers left that we're excited about."

Van Rens didn't say who would start Thursday, but every arm will be considered outside of Arendt and Donaldson, who aren't eligible due to pitch counts. Landon Raygo was the third pitcher De Pere used in sectionals so it could be him.

Nonetheless, De Pere is one game away from winning a state championship.

"It would mean the world to me," Arendt said. "It's been my dream to play at this ballpark and now that we're here, might as well win it, right?"

BASE HITS


De Pere baseball takes down Westosha Central to advance to state title game

By: John Miller, NBC 26
Posted at 6:14 PM, Jun 12, 2024

The De Pere Redbirds came in to the 2024 state baseball tournament at Fox Cities Stadium pursuing their first state title in program history.

On Monday, in the quarterfinals, the No. 1 Redbirds took down 8 seed Menasha, 2-0. On Wednesday, in the semifinal against Westosha Central the game wasn't as much of a nail-biter as they took down the Falcons 8-1.

"Our guys are so hungry," said Redbirds head coach Bob Van Rens. "They want it so bad and now we're one game away and it's so exciting to have our seniors get this opportunity. It's a lifelong memory they're always going to have. I just hope it ends the right way. We're going to do everything we can to make that happen."

Senior center fielder and pitcher Easton Arendt got the Redbirds going with a two-RBI triple in the bottom of the first inning.

"He's come through all year," Van Rens said. "What huge time for him to come up big."

"Getting knocked out in sectionals the last two years is a bummer, and then being able to get over the hump and make it to the state final is huge," said Arendt. "It would mean the world to me and it's been my dream at this ball park and now that we're here — might as well win it, right?"

That was more than enough run support for senior pitcher Axel Donaldson. He would pitch a gem, throwing 6 2/3 innings striking out 8, and only giving up one earned run. He also had an RBI single in the game.

"Bulldog," Arendt said of Donaldson's peformance."I mean we talked about it all year, you got to be a bulldog on the mound and then have a defense behind you, and that wins games and I think our team showed up today."

"Axel is just a dynamite pitcher, said Van Rens. "He's got that 'it' that we talk about."

The Redbirds scored 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth to give themselves a comfortable lead heading into the final inning. Devin Weber would pitch the final out of the game for De Pere after Donaldson reached his pitch limit.

Javin Gauthier (2), Mason Sequin (1) and Milo Upton also had RBIs in the game for the Redbirds.


De Pere baseball one win away from first state championship

by: Kyle Malzhan, WFRV
Posted: Jun 12, 2024 / 06:45 PM CDT
Updated: Jun 12, 2024 / 06:55 PM CDT

After a dominant 8-1 state semifinal win against Westosha Central on Wednesday, De Pere baseball punched its ticket to the division one championship game.

Senior Axel Donaldson set the tone on the mound in the semifinals for the Redbirds nearly pitching a complete game (6 2/3 innings pitched), while striking out six and only allowing one run on three hits.

Donaldson also had success at the plate, going 2-3 with an RBI. Mason Sequin (1), Easton Arendt (2), Landon Raygo (1), Javin Gauthier (2), and Milo Upton (1) all drove in runs to help power De Pere to the 8-1 victory.

The Redbirds will play for their first state championship in program history on Thursday evening. This is the first time De Pere has made it to the title game since 1986.

“Our guys are so hungry. They want it so bad. Now we’re one game away. It’s so exciting to have our seniors get this opportunity. It’s a lifelong memory they’re always going to have. I just hope it ends in the right way, and we’re going to do everything we can to make that happen”, De Pere head coach Bob Van Rens said postgame Wednesday.

“It would mean the world to me. It’s been my dream to play at this ballpark, and now that we’re here – we might as well win it, right?” senior Easton Arendt expressed.

“This is a special group. The one-seed in the state. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have this type of group. This deep of pitching. This deep of a lineup. I’m just so glad I have another day with these guys”, senior Axel Donaldson said.

The first pitch for the Division One state baseball championship game is set for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at Fox Cities Stadium.


De Pere blanks Menasha, inches closer to the Division 1 State baseball title game

By: John Miller, NBC 26
Posted at 5:15 PM, Jun 10, 2024

GRAND CHUTE — The De Pere Redbirds are moving on.

"It felt amazing, but (that) feeling is gone, we got to work for the next game," said senior second baseman Axel Donaldson. "(The) job's not finished. We got to win the rest of these games."

With a stellar pitching performance by senior Easton Arendt, some great hitting and small ball, the No.1 Redbirds blanked No. 8 Menasha 2-0 in the first round of the state baseball tournament.

"We prepare the guys' mentally a lot," said De Pere head coach Bob Van Rens of his team's defense. "We knew were going to be coming into some big situations at the end of the year. It's something we've talked about for the long time, kind of relaxed intensity. I think the guys just want it so bad and are going to do whatever it takes."

Quinn Ludvigsen pitched a stellar game for Menasha, but a three base error by his catcher in the fifth inning allowed De Pere's Brett Weckwerth to score on a bunt by his older brother, Jake. Later in the inning, Donaldson brought him home with a single out to left to give the Redbirds a little more breathing room.

Arendt finished with a complete game for the Redbirds, pitching all seven innings, striking out four batters and giving up six hits.

"We have so much trust in Easton," said Donaldson, who expects to start at pitcher in the semifinal. "He's a great player. I think he's one of the best players in the state. No doubt."

Ludvigsen pitched six innings, giving up zero earned runs and striking out 6.

De Pere will face No. 5 seed Westosha Central in the Division 1 state semifinals on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.


Weckwerth brothers propel De Pere baseball to state semifinal

by: Lauren Helmbrecht, WFRV
Posted: Jun 10, 2024 / 07:38 PM CDT
Updated: Jun 10, 2024 / 08:26 PM CDT

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – Top-seeded De Pere baseball took down Menasha 2-0 in the WIAA Division I State quarterfinals on Monday thanks to runs scored by the Weckwerth brothers, Brett and Jake.

Menasha pitcher Quinn Ludvigsen had four strikeouts in the first three innings, but in the bottom of the fifth, the Redbirds got on the board.

Brett Weckwerth came into the game to pinch run at first base. His older brother Jake went to the plate next and hit a bunt, but the Bluejays throw to first was off base. Brett scored from first, then Jake scored off of an RBI single from Axel Donaldson.

“The guys, they want it so bad. They are going to do what it takes,” De Pere head coach Bob Van Rens said after the win. The Redbirds continue to compete in their first state tournament since 2006.

The Bluejays finished the season with a 19-7 record after qualifying for their first state tournament since 1995.

“I keep getting asked by a lot of people, ‘Are you the Cinderella team?’ Or ‘Is Menasha supposed to be here?’ Of course, we are supposed to be here. You guys have earned every second of this,” Menasha head coach Nick Carlson said of his Bay Conference championship team.

Next, one-seed De Pere will take on the fifth-seed Westosha Central at Fox Cities Stadium at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the state semifinals.


De Pere's Strong Senior Class Prepped for State Baseball Tournament

by: Lauren Helmbrecht, WFRV
Posted: Jun 6, 2024
Updated: Jun 7, 2024

DE PERE (WFRV) – The De Pere Redbirds earned the top overall seed in next week’s WIAA Division I State baseball tournament after falling short the previous two seasons.

The Redbirds lost in the sectional finals in both 2022 and 2023, before finally advancing this season by defeating Bay Port 9-3 on Tuesday.

For the team’s 15 seniors, making the state tournament feels like a relief.

“It’s just such a good feeling, being three wins away (from winning state),” catcher Jack Nikolay said at practice on Thursday. In 8th grade, Nikolay told his mom he wanted to win state and now he and his fellow senior classmates could do just that.

“I’ve had these kids since third grade…this is one of my favorite groups always,” head coach Bob Van Rens said. “They just love baseball. It’s going to be sad to see them go – hopefully, they can finish on top and send them all out in a good way.”

The one-seed Redbirds will take on a fellow North East Wisconsin squad, eight-seed Menasha Blue Jays in the state quarterfinals on Monday, June 10 at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.


'It means the world': Redbirds rally to clinch first state baseball appearance since 2006

By: Brandon Kinnard, NBC 26
 June 4, 2024

De Pere is headed to Fox Cities Stadium! The Redbirds, the top-ranked team in the state, rallied back from an early deficit to beat rival Bay Port in Tuesday's sectional final.

KIMBERLY (NBC 26) — The De Pere baseball team overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat Bay Port 9-3 in Tuesday's WIAA sectional final, clinching a berth in the state tournament for the first time since 2006.

After a bowing out in the sectional final round each of the past two seasons, De Pere finally broke through.

"Just being with these guys my whole life, it just means the world, man," senior Axel Donaldson, who had an RBI single in the fourth inning, said. "I just love these guys so much."

"Being able to play another game with these guys just means the absolute world to me," Donaldson added. "We fought through so much to get here. It feels amazing."

Longtime head coach Bob Van Rens commended his team for rallying back after falling behind early.

"Every year we put pressure on ourselves but with this group of seniors that we have I was very confident," Van Rens said.

"We didn't want to be down 2-0 but we talked about that from day one: it's okay if you fall behind, you have to keep battling," he added. "That's what we did today. Over time, I think our guys are better and they work so hard all year round."

De Pere enters the state tournament with a 24-3 record; the Redbirds are the No. 1 ranked team in the state, according to the Prep Baseball Report's Power 25.


Redbirds finish Runner - Up in Sectional

WAUSAU – The Green Bay Preble baseball team is going back to the state tournament.

Preble beat De Pere 6-0 in a WIAA Division 1 sectional championship game at Wausau West High School on Tuesday, improving to 29-0 and earning a trip to the big stage for the second straight season and the third time in program history.

It will play Eau Claire North in a state quarterfinal at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

The sectional title game perhaps was a microcosm of the Hornets’ perfect season.

Clutch hitting, good defense and some great pitching.

Senior right-hander Will Conard settled down after some early control problems, tossing a complete game and needing just 75 pitches to do it. Conard allowed four hits and retired 11 of the final 12 batters.

“I felt really good, and my defense I know is always very good,” Conard said. “They showed it again that they can always have my back. Just phenomenal defense today.”

Conard also helped himself out at the plate in a big third inning that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Already up 2-0 in the frame thanks to RBI hits by the senior duo of Taylor Bagniefski and Jarrett Scheelk, Conard helped break the game open a bit with a two-out, two-run single to right.

The Hornets scored five runs in the inning, thanks to five hits and two errors.

Another RBI single by Scheelk in the fourth added an insurance run, but it was far from needed with the way Conard was dealing on this day.

“Preble, they just have an outstanding baseball team with the pitching they have got,” De Pere coach Bob Van Rens said. “Will Conard just pitched a great game. You just have got to tip your cap there.

“I think we made a few mistakes that we probably shouldn’t have made. Our kids were a little tired, I think.”

For good reason.

The Redbirds had a thrilling 5-4 win over Bay Port in a sectional semifinal after star leadoff hitter Lucas Reynolds hit a game-tying solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth.

But De Pere had to go 10 innings to finally take out the Pirates in a contest that was completed just before the title game, making the challenge of going up against perhaps the best team in the state an even tougher task.

“Definitely no excuses at all,” Van Rens said. “High school baseball, you get so many bad hops or just bad luck on certain days. To be undefeated, it’s impressive. They have got it sounds like five guys that can throw mid-80s. Most teams have one guy who can go over 80.

“It makes it tough for the other team. You just try to play a good game against them.”

Preble had a pretty dramatic comeback of its own in a 9-5 sectional semifinal win against D.C. Everest.

The Hornets trailed 5-2 entering the fifth, but some leaky defense by Everest and timely hits by Preble produced a five-run inning and a 7-5 lead. It added two more runs the next inning.

Preble got a big performance from junior relief pitcher Quinn Williquette, who hasn’t pitched much this season. He ended up allowing just one hit in 5⅔ innings, including getting the team out of a bases-loaded jam in the second with the Hornets already down three runs.

“I always tell our guys that you have to be ready when your number is called,” Preble coach Andy Conard said. “I don’t think Quinn expected to come to the park today and probably didn’t expect to pitch at all and ends up getting the win.

“I’m just really proud of him. He was ready when his number was called.”

Preble is the only undefeated team in the state after St. Mary Catholic was beat by Coleman in a Division 3 sectional semifinal.

There was a moment when it looked like the Hornets might not get out of their own semifinal game, but they didn’t panic. Their coach told them they’d stay the course and outlast their opponent, and that’s what they did.

Now, they are three wins away from an unblemished season and their first state title.

“It feels amazing,” Will Conard said. “That was the No. 1 goal for the season. It feels so good to be here again.”

De Pere Baseball standouts team up at St. Norbert College

(Photo: Courtesy of Carson Jacques)

There are plenty of reasons for the St. Norbert College baseball team’s success as it prepares for an NCAA Division III tournament game against the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Thursday.

Carson Jacques and Tyler Rouze, freshmen pitchers and former teammates at De Pere, are two of them.

The duo was friendly in high school, but they have become best friends in college while finding success on the diamond.

“We have been through so much together,” Jacques said. “Through high school baseball, Legion baseball. We went to state three times in Legion baseball. We were competitive in high school baseball. To now be able to compete with him in college is just really cool. It will be something we will be able to grow up and tell each other, too. It’s really awesome.”

Rookies aren’t always counted on to make meaningful contributions. But Jacques and Rouze have helped a Green Knights rotation led by senior Jake McMahon, who ranks first in program history with 262⅓ innings and 15 complete games and is tied for third with 197 strikeouts.

The right-handed Jacques was named the Midwest Conference North Division newcomer of the year. He’s 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 14 appearances and five starts. He has struck out 44 and walked seven in 62⅓ innings.

St. Norbert College freshman Carson Jacques was the Midwest Conference newcomer of the year. (Photo: Courtesy of St. Norbert College)

The left-handed Rouze is 3-3 with a 5.02 ERA in 10 appearances and eight starts. He has thrown 52 innings and is second to McMahon on the staff with three complete games. Rouze’s ERA is a bit misleading, as two rough performances against Ripon College (seven earned runs) and Whitewater (eight earned runs) inflated it.

Jacques and Rouze were huge factors during the conference tournament last week, combining for three wins. Jacques allowed just one run in 11 innings during the tournament and had two wins, including the championship game. Rouze earned the victory in a semifinal.

The two have grown throughout the season, learning how to pitch against lineups in which every batter is as dangerous as the cleanup hitter they faced in high school.

They also keep things loose off the field. They pick each other up when needed and talk a little baseball, but most of the time they are just like any other college roommates. There is a lot of Netflix watching and video game playing. They also bonded by complaining to each other about those 5 a.m. practices earlier in the season before a trip to Florida.

“We really are best friends now,” Rouze said. “I know in high school we weren’t necessarily close, but having him as a roommate, it’s really been a blessing. Our parents knew each other going into this, and it was just an overall great situation to get into.”

It almost didn’t happen.

Rouze committed to Winona during his senior year at De Pere. But as time went on, he felt things weren’t going to work out there and decided to decommit.

He had dreams of going further away from home and attending a big school, but he also knew that meant he wouldn’t get to play baseball.

SNC coach Tom Winske showed up at one of De Pere’s games and told Rouze he should stop by and visit. Winske had been recruiting Rouze even longer than Winona and now had a second chance to get him.

Even though Rouze lives in De Pere, he never had been on the St. Norbert campus. He loved what he saw.

Jacques, who decided to attend SNC around the time Rouze committed to Winona despite having a DII offer and several DIII options, made his own recruiting pitch and told Rouze he should join him at the school.

“He was trying to sell it to me,” Rouze said. “I’d see him every day in physics class. He kept making me think about it.”

Rouze decided to give it a shot. So far, it couldn’t have worked out better for both of them.

“We have each other’s backs,” Jacques said. “We hold each other accountable.”

The Green Knights (30-11) face a difficult task against host Whitewater in a first-round game at 1:35 p.m. Thursday. The Warhawks (35-7) swept them in a doubleheader earlier this season and are ranked No. 3 in the D3baseball.com Top 25.

SNC has won 30 games in a season for the first time in program history and are in the NCAAs for the fifth time. It won’t be the favorite against Whitewater, but a couple of its rookies are still confident.

“We know going in that it’s tough,” Jacques said. “But we know we also have one of the best staffs around. We have the best hitting and fielding around. I think a lot of people are just going to overlook us and brush us off, but I think we are a very powerful eighth seed going into the tournament.

“We have the confidence that we have the talent to go in and beat them. Obviously it’s going to be a very tough game because Whitewater is a good team and well-coached, but we have confidence.”