Members of the 2023 Turkey Valley varsity baseball team are (front, l-r) Garrett Dietzebach, Logan Busta, Brennen Drilling, Russell Nieman, Caleb Kurtenbach, Oliver Schmitt, Carson Busta, JD Kruse; (back row) Coach Dan Stepan, Aidan Holthaus, Braylen Byrne, Chase Hayek, Noah Hanson, Treyton Hulbert, Calvin Bodensteiner, Coach Simon Schmitt and Coach Steve Busta. (Photo courtesy of Tammy Vrzak)
This year, the Turkey Valley Trojans baseball team is led once again by head coach Dan Stepan, who is entering his 22nd season at Turkey Valley. Since the team only lost three seniors to graduation last year, there are plenty of talented players on the roster that are ready to step up to the plate, both literally and figuratively.
Looking back
Last year, the Trojans finished the season with an overall record of 8-19, along with a conference record of 4-13. The season came to a close after the Trojans were beaten by a score of 4-3 in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs by the Nashua-Plainfield Huskies.
As far as hitting is concerned, the team had a .230 batting average, a .361 on-base percentage, and a .295 slugging percentage. When it comes to pitching, the team finished the season with a less than stellar 6.13 earned run average and an average of 1.94 walks and hits per inning pitched.
The outlook
“We have several players with varsity experience, we hope that the playing time they have had will turn into a success on the field. I think our pitching has a chance to be better than the past few years as well. We also have several three or four sports players on this team that know how to compete,” said Coach Stepan.
With 13 returning letter winners and seven returning seniors, the Trojans’ roster is filled with experience.
Last year, senior Carson Busta, who was a junior at the time, led the team in all three major batting statistics. He led the team with .416 batting average, a .515 on-base percentage and a .623 slugging percentage. Busta also led the team with 27 runs scored, 22 runs batted in and 59 defensive assists.
As far as pitching is concerned, senior Calvin Bodensteiner, who was a junior last year, led the team with a 4.40 earned run average and an average of 1.42 walks and hits per inning pitched. He also led the team in pitching strikeouts with 40.
When it comes to some of the team’s concerns, head coach Dan Stepan highlighted both the offense and the defense.
“I think with the pitching rules, a coach is always worried about that aspect of the game every night. We look to be a little more explosive on offense as well. Our schedule doesn’t allow for any breaks, so every night we have to be focused to play our best baseball,” noted the veteran skipper.
In spite of his concerns, he has a good feeling about the season ahead.
“We are excited to get the season going. I thought we pitched and played good enough defense last year but need to get our offense back on track. It will be fun to see who has improved since last year and see where they can help us in the line-up. One of the great things about coaching is seeing how the puzzle pieces fit together each and every year. I tell players all the time to play so well that I can’t afford to take them out of the line-up,” added the coach.
In the league
Even though the South Winn Warriors are expected to win the conference title this season, head coach Dan Stepan believes that the team has the opportunity to finish near the top of the conference standings.
“I think we have a chance to be competitive with everyone in the conference. It will depend on our pitching and how well our offense improves. To beat the top teams, we will have to definitely play our best to have a chance against those guys,” concluded Coach Stepan.
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