Experience will be the key, coach says
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
As each of the past several summer baseball seasons approached, East Troy Legion Post 188 coach John Wick knew he had a young group that would have to take some lumps.
But he also realized those lessons would soon pay dividends.
And that time may be right now.
East Troy opens its summer schedule with a roster filled with experience that is ready to make plenty of noise before the dust settles in early August.
“I’ve spent the last three years watching (them) grow up,” Wick said. “Now that we have a strong senior group, it should be a fun summer.”
Fans should recognize several of the core returning players this summer, as East Troy boasts a group that has played plenty of baseball.
Wick identified a core of players he expects to lead the way – Josh Oswald, Will Iloncaie, Evan Wick, Jason Dopke, Ryan Olsen, Nick Bertschinger and Jon Ciriacks.
Oswald is back in East Troy after a freshman year at Ripon College for his last legion campaign.
“He’ll pitch and play everywhere on the field, but adding his bat to the lineup will be a huge offensive boost,” Wick said.
Iloncaie, who is headed to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the fall, will handle both pitching and middle infield duties for Post 188, Wick said.
Wick’s son, Evan, is a four-year catcher who brings valuable experience behind the plate.
“Evan hit .400 last season and will be heading off to play at Viterbo University next year,” his dad said. “The beauty is I know what I have behind the plate. He calls the games, and the pitchers trust him.”
Both Dopke, who hit .400 for the East Troy varsity squad in the spring, and Olsen should provide speed and power to the Post 188 lineup, Wick said.
“Jason Dopke brings strength, speed and a little bit of a fun to the squad,” he said. “He seemed to get timely hits (this spring) whenever needed, as he led the team in RBI.
“Ryan Olsen (is a) lefty in the lineup speed and power. I expect Ryan to contribute a lot this summer.”
Coming off a solid high school season is Bertschinger, who Wick hopes can continue the momentum this summer.
“(He) burst onto the scene this spring,” Wick said. “He has a great change up, and his confidence grew on the mound with every appearance. Add his offense, he hit nearly .400, and he’s really becoming a complete player.”
Ciriacks is another player with plenty of experience who should help the Legion’s cause, Wick sad.
“Jon played an extremely solid first base in the spring,” he said. “He’s another one that just keeps getting stronger every game. I trust his defense completely. He does a solid job at the plate as well.”
Two high school sophomores, Logan Mitchell and Jacob Mast, will make their senior legion debut this summer, Wick said.
“This will be (Mitchell’s) first summer for Legion, but I expect big things starting in week one,” Wick said.
“I’ve known (Mast) since he was a toddler. He will fit in just fine as an athlete. He’ll also bring a lot of looseness to the dugout.”
That core of nine have committed to playing a full slate of games this summer, Wick said. Also looking to contribute throughout the next two months are Rogelio Hayes, Dan O’Brien, Logan Parsons, Nick Ruffalo and Jake Schultz.
Wick, who is assisted this summer by Tom Kostopolous and Mike Mitchell, said he also plans to have the squad compete in both 16U and 17U games to highlight some of the program’s younger players.
