2021 All-Journal Baseball
First Team
Ethan Stade, Sr., NUHS, P
Stade was New Ulm’s ace on the mound this season, throwing 47 1/3 innings with a 1.18 ERA. He also had 60 strikeouts and hit .333 with an on-base percentage of .481. Stade was an All-Conference and All-Section player this year and will continue his baseball career next season in Marshall playing DII ball with Southwest Minnesota State University.
Ethan Stade, Sr., NUHS, P
Stade was New Ulm’s ace on the mound this season, throwing 47 1/3 innings with a 1.18 ERA. He also had 60 strikeouts and hit .333 with an on-base percentage of .481. Stade was an All-Conference and All-Section player this year and will continue his baseball career next season in Marshall playing DII ball with Southwest Minnesota State University.
Mason Leonard, Sr., Springfield, P/CF
Leonard wrapped up an All-State, All-Section and All-Conference senior year with a 5-3 record on the mound and a team-best .95 ERA. He also led the team with 85 strikeouts on the mound and allowed 24 walks in 59 innings of work. At the plate, Leonard hit .273 with two homers and 21 RBIs. Leonard will be playing DII ball for the University of Sioux Falls next season.
Leonard wrapped up an All-State, All-Section and All-Conference senior year with a 5-3 record on the mound and a team-best .95 ERA. He also led the team with 85 strikeouts on the mound and allowed 24 walks in 59 innings of work. At the plate, Leonard hit .273 with two homers and 21 RBIs. Leonard will be playing DII ball for the University of Sioux Falls next season.
Carter Benz, Sr.,
Wabasso, P/C
Benz, the 2021 Tomahawk All-Conference Co-Player of the Year, finished his senior campaign for the Rabbits with a .485 batting average as the team’s catcher. He also had 33 hits, 29 RBIs, six triples, four doubles, a homer and 16 stolen bases. Benz also pitched 66 2/3 innings for Wabasso and had a 6-4 record with a 2.94 ERA, 98 strikeouts and 16 walks allowed.
Wabasso, P/C
Benz, the 2021 Tomahawk All-Conference Co-Player of the Year, finished his senior campaign for the Rabbits with a .485 batting average as the team’s catcher. He also had 33 hits, 29 RBIs, six triples, four doubles, a homer and 16 stolen bases. Benz also pitched 66 2/3 innings for Wabasso and had a 6-4 record with a 2.94 ERA, 98 strikeouts and 16 walks allowed.
Sam Knowles, Jr.,
Cathedral, IF/P
Knowles was the Tomahawk Conference Co-Player of the Year, hitting .456 as a junior. He finished the 2021 season with 30 runs scored, 29 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and a .549 OBP. On the mound, he went 4-2 and struck out 50 in 51 innings of work, compiling an ERA of 3.38. He was also big in the clutch for the Greyhounds all season and will be back next year to lead the team once again.
Cathedral, IF/P
Knowles was the Tomahawk Conference Co-Player of the Year, hitting .456 as a junior. He finished the 2021 season with 30 runs scored, 29 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and a .549 OBP. On the mound, he went 4-2 and struck out 50 in 51 innings of work, compiling an ERA of 3.38. He was also big in the clutch for the Greyhounds all season and will be back next year to lead the team once again.
Carter Lang, Jr., NUHS, 2B/P
Lang was a force at the plate for New Ulm this season, hitting two homers and driving in 28 RBIs with a .431 batting average. He also had seven doubles, two triples, drew 10 walks and had an on-base percentage of .500. Lang also struck out 17 on the mound and stole 10 bases. A late-season injury for him left a mark on the Eagles, but he still finished as an All-Conference player.
Lang was a force at the plate for New Ulm this season, hitting two homers and driving in 28 RBIs with a .431 batting average. He also had seven doubles, two triples, drew 10 walks and had an on-base percentage of .500. Lang also struck out 17 on the mound and stole 10 bases. A late-season injury for him left a mark on the Eagles, but he still finished as an All-Conference player.
Tori Helget, Sr., Springfield, SS/P
Helget wrapped up his senior year as an All-State, All-Conference and All-Section player for the Tigers, who finished third in the state tournament. Helget was one the area’s biggest threats on the bases this season, stealing 41 bases. He also hit .312 this season and had 24 hits, two doubles, 10 RBIs and scored 26 runs. On the mound, Helget threw 36 2/3 innings with a 5-2 record and a 1.34 ERA. He also had 47 strikeouts.
Helget wrapped up his senior year as an All-State, All-Conference and All-Section player for the Tigers, who finished third in the state tournament. Helget was one the area’s biggest threats on the bases this season, stealing 41 bases. He also hit .312 this season and had 24 hits, two doubles, 10 RBIs and scored 26 runs. On the mound, Helget threw 36 2/3 innings with a 5-2 record and a 1.34 ERA. He also had 47 strikeouts.
Cole Ranweiler, Sr., NUHS, SS/OF
Ranweiler was the Eagles’ leadoff hitter this year and got better throughout the year, hitting .500 in the playoffs. He led the Eagles with 26 runs scored, four doubles, three triples and 10 stolen bases. A solid defender that spent much time at shortstop, Ranweiler earned All-Conference honors and an invite to the All-Star Series this summer. He will play DII baseball with the Mavericks next year at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Ranweiler was the Eagles’ leadoff hitter this year and got better throughout the year, hitting .500 in the playoffs. He led the Eagles with 26 runs scored, four doubles, three triples and 10 stolen bases. A solid defender that spent much time at shortstop, Ranweiler earned All-Conference honors and an invite to the All-Star Series this summer. He will play DII baseball with the Mavericks next year at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Will Carlson, Sr., Wabasso, SS
Carlson was the team’s top hitter for average during his senior year, hitting .500. The Tomahawk All-Conference player also had 37 hits, five doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 23 stolen bases.
Carlson was the team’s top hitter for average during his senior year, hitting .500. The Tomahawk All-Conference player also had 37 hits, five doubles, a triple, 11 RBIs and 23 stolen bases.
Hunter Sehr, Jr., NUHS, OF/P
Sehr hit .370 his senior year for the Eagles and had an OBP of .580. The leftie also scored 24 runs and drove in 18. Sehr was described by his head coach Kevin Briggs as a player with great discipline and two-strike approach hitting out of the No. 2 hole for New Ulm.
Sehr also made nine appearance on the mound this year, mostly in relief, and struck out 23 in 20 innings of work. The All-Conference, All-Section player will be playing baseball next year at Wartburg College.
Sehr hit .370 his senior year for the Eagles and had an OBP of .580. The leftie also scored 24 runs and drove in 18. Sehr was described by his head coach Kevin Briggs as a player with great discipline and two-strike approach hitting out of the No. 2 hole for New Ulm.
Sehr also made nine appearance on the mound this year, mostly in relief, and struck out 23 in 20 innings of work. The All-Conference, All-Section player will be playing baseball next year at Wartburg College.
Second Team
Caleb Carlovsky, Sr., MVL, P/IF
Carlovsky took off this year for the Chargers, leading the team in batting average and in wins. He went 5-2 with a 4.28 ERA and 32 strikeouts on the hill. At the plate, he hit .383 with 22 RBIs and 15 runs scored. He also stole 18 bases for the Tomahawk Conference champions this year.
Caleb Carlovsky, Sr., MVL, P/IF
Carlovsky took off this year for the Chargers, leading the team in batting average and in wins. He went 5-2 with a 4.28 ERA and 32 strikeouts on the hill. At the plate, he hit .383 with 22 RBIs and 15 runs scored. He also stole 18 bases for the Tomahawk Conference champions this year.
Kadon Strong, Sr., Sleepy Eye, OF
Strong hit .456 and had 31 hits this season to lead the Indians at the plate during his Tomahawk All-Conference senior year. Strong also had nine doubles, four triples, three homers, scored 19 runs and drove in 27 runs for Sleepy Eye.
The last remaining player from the 2018 state team, Strong finished his career with a .427 batting average.
Strong hit .456 and had 31 hits this season to lead the Indians at the plate during his Tomahawk All-Conference senior year. Strong also had nine doubles, four triples, three homers, scored 19 runs and drove in 27 runs for Sleepy Eye.
The last remaining player from the 2018 state team, Strong finished his career with a .427 batting average.
Carson Domeier, Jr., St. Mary’s, P/OF/IF
Domeier was named to the All-Conference team in the Tomahawk Conference this year and hit .364 with 28 hits and 20 RBIs. He also went 5-2 on the mound with a 2.55 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings.
Domeier was named to the All-Conference team in the Tomahawk Conference this year and hit .364 with 28 hits and 20 RBIs. He also went 5-2 on the mound with a 2.55 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings.
Brendon Buerkle, Jr., Springfield, 1B
Buerkle finished his junior season as an All-Section and All-Conference player. He had a team-leading .357 batting average, along with five doubles, 12 RBIs, 24 runs scored and 25 total hits. He also stole 17 bases and drew 10 walks.
Buerkle finished his junior season as an All-Section and All-Conference player. He had a team-leading .357 batting average, along with five doubles, 12 RBIs, 24 runs scored and 25 total hits. He also stole 17 bases and drew 10 walks.
Evan Wiltscheck, Sr., NUHS, C
A strong defensive catcher for the Eagles this season, Wiltscheck hit .600 in the Big South Conference this year and .417 overall. He had an OBP of .486 and also hit seven doubles, had 20 RBIs and scored 22 runs. Wiltscheck was also an All-Conference selection.
A strong defensive catcher for the Eagles this season, Wiltscheck hit .600 in the Big South Conference this year and .417 overall. He had an OBP of .486 and also hit seven doubles, had 20 RBIs and scored 22 runs. Wiltscheck was also an All-Conference selection.
Leyton Brau, Sr., MVL, IF/P
Brau hit .382 with 26 hits, 16 RBIs and 23 stolen bases for the Chargers this year. He scored 29 runs and had five doubles and a triple. He also went 2-0 on the mound with a 2.52 ERA.
Brau hit .382 with 26 hits, 16 RBIs and 23 stolen bases for the Chargers this year. He scored 29 runs and had five doubles and a triple. He also went 2-0 on the mound with a 2.52 ERA.
Jakob Nachreiner, Fr., Springfield, P/2B
Nachreiner wrapped up an impressive freshman year for the Tigers as one of the team’s top pitchers. The All-Section and All-Conference player had a 7-1 record on the mound with a 2.26 ERA. In 49 2/3 innings of work, he allowed just 13 walks and struck out 51 batters.
Nachreiner wrapped up an impressive freshman year for the Tigers as one of the team’s top pitchers. The All-Section and All-Conference player had a 7-1 record on the mound with a 2.26 ERA. In 49 2/3 innings of work, he allowed just 13 walks and struck out 51 batters.
Isaiah Rieser, Jr.,
Cathedral, IF/P
Rieser was steady in the leadoff spot, hitting .407 with 37 runs scored and was always a threat to steal with 20 stolen bases. On the mound, he went 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
Cathedral, IF/P
Rieser was steady in the leadoff spot, hitting .407 with 37 runs scored and was always a threat to steal with 20 stolen bases. On the mound, he went 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts.
Josh Giefer, Jr.,
MVL, P/IF
Giefer went 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA for the Chargers in his first varsity season for the Chargers. He also hit .290 with 14 RBIs, 13 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Giefer played a key part in MVL’s 2021 Tomahawk Conference championship and will be leaned on to be a major contributor next year.
MVL, P/IF
Giefer went 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA for the Chargers in his first varsity season for the Chargers. He also hit .290 with 14 RBIs, 13 runs scored and seven stolen bases. Giefer played a key part in MVL’s 2021 Tomahawk Conference championship and will be leaned on to be a major contributor next year.