KALIDA – Second year head coach Chad Ehrnsberger will open his second season with a new lineup to go along with the new turf at Holy Name Ballpark when the Wildcats play host to Delphos Jefferson on Monday, March 28th.
Gone from last season are 1st team Putnam County League selections Luke Erhart (.427, 32 RBI, 14 stolen bases), and Ryan Lucke (.370, 15RBI, 34 runs scored). Lucke provided not only pop with the bat but also at the top of the Wildcats rotation where he finished the 2021 campaign with an 8-1 record with a .423 ERA in 49.2 innings of work to go along with 49 strikeouts and just six hits allowed.
Also gone from last season are 2nd team pick Brandon Miller (.371, 13 RBI, 31 runs scored, 13 stolen bases), and Ayden Warnecke (.327, 6 RBI) who helped the Wildcats secure a three way share of the league championship with Miller City and Leipsic on the way to a district finals appearance.
Returning starters EJ Miller (.211, 4 RBI), Justin Siebeneck (.318, 22 RBI, 19 runs scored), Jaden Smith (.370, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored), Gabe Roof (.262, 3 RBI) will provide stability at their positions and with the bats throughout the Kalida lineup.
Senior Ryan Klausing (.255, 5 RBI) will be looked upon to possibly finish out games on mound this year as he brings along a junior campaign that saw him sport a 2.71 earned run average in 20.2 innings while picking up both of Kalida’s saves on the season.
Perhaps one of the biggest strengths for the Wildcats will be their pitching as the maroon and gold return five of their top six starting pitchers from a season ago.
Leading the staff is junior Carson Klausing who finished with a 2-3 record in 34.1 innings with 20 strikeouts to go along with a 6.27 ERA. Senior Nathan Schroeder tossed 23.1 frames as a junior and surrendered 3.90 runs per outing while sporting a 4-2 mark to go along with his 21 K’s.
Colin Hoffman returns for his junior campaign that saw him make six starts and finish with a 3-2 mark in 22.1 innings pitched. Hoffman ended with a 3.44 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
Junior classmate Drew Buss adds depth to the Cats staff as he appeared in six games last season and surrendered just 2.33 earned runs an outing in 15 innings pitched while striking out eight.
Consistency across the board will be a factor in how the season goes for Chad Ehrnsberger’s crew as the staff issued 100 free passes against 149 strikeouts while hitting 27 batters on the way to a collective ERA of 3.27.
Kalida opens the season at home against Delphos Jefferson before hosting county rival Pandora Gilboa on Tuesday and opening week trips to Arlington on Thursday, and Elida on Saturday, April 2nd.