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WIAA Diamond Notes: Week 7

May 15, 2024
By: Maddox Durst
Staff Writer

Each week, WIAA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the Prep Baseball Wisconsin Player of the Week and Prep Baseball Wisconsin Pitcher of the Week honors. Yesterday, we awarded the Week 7 Pitcher of the Week to RHP Craig Kabat (Bay Port, 2024; Gonzaga commit) and the Player of the Week to SS/RHP Eddie Rynders (Wisconsin Lutheran, 2024; Kent State) for their elite efforts on the diamond throughout this past week’s action. Each led their team to victory over Power 25 opponents, including a 9-for-12 week turned in by Rynders. Kabat twirled a combined no-hitter to take down Notre Dame Academy in a narrow 1-0 victory—punching out 13 batters in six innings.

There were a number of other impressive performances that were in the mix for the award and deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.

WEEK 7 DIAMOND NOTES

+ Hayden Derlein, SS (Oregon, 2024):

Knox College commit, Derlein enjoyed a strong week at the plate for a quality Oregon team—leading the way with a 9-for-16 performance over the course of a couple of games. The shortstop provided a double and four RBIs within those nine hits—stealing a base and walking twice to elevate his presence on the basepaths for the Panthers.

+ Avery Duncan, RHP (Notre Dame Academy, 2024):

Dallas Baptist commit, Duncan wound up being on the losing end of that battle against the aforementioned Kabat and Bay Port, but still managed to throw a no-hitter in the 1-0 final. The Tritons’ ace struck out seven batters and allowed three walks in his outing—continuing his dominant stretch on the bump for Notre Dame Academy. The one run scored in the game was unearned, as Duncan continues to be a force for the Tritons, who will be a tough out come playoff time in a couple of weeks.

Avery Duncan [4/25/24]

+ Jacob Garth, MIF (Stevens Point Area, 2024):

Bryant & Stratton (WI) commit, Garth is one of the numerous players on SPASH enjoying a stellar season at the plate, but the middle infielder stood out amongst the roster this past week. Garth was an impressive 11-for-14—providing two triples, eight RBIs and three walks in live action. The senior also stole four bases throughout the week—proving to make a difference for an undefeated Panthers’ squad.

+ William Grellinger, RHP (Marquette University, 2025)

Uncommitted, Grellinger elevated his status as a right-handed pitcher to monitor in the winter and has proven his worth in the spring for the Hilltoppers. He twirled a complete game no-hitter against Wauwatosa West this past week—earning Marquette University a conference win. The right-hander struck out four batters and only walked one—allowing one unearned run to score in a 10-1 win. Grellinger typically uses a three-pitch mix in his outings.

William Grellinger [2/17/24]

+ Logan Hagman, OF/C (Hudson, 2027):

Uncommitted, Hagman has been one of the most impressive 2027 prospects in the state, and continued to put together stellar numbers from the leadoff spot for Hudson. This past week, Hagman had two home runs at Sun Prairie East in a doubleheader, along with a pair of doubles. He finished the week with three total doubles and five RBIs—hitting over .400 in his first year of high school baseball. Hagman, after a strong showing last summer, is primed for a successful next couple of months on the circuit.

Logan Hagman [5/11/24]

+ Marty Hanna, SS, RHP (Sauk Prairie, 2026):

Uncommitted, Hanna has enjoyed a strong season for Sauk Prairie, and continued to do so with quality showings all week. The two-way star got his week started with a complete game no-hitter against River Valley in an 8-0 win—striking out six batters while working around three walks. He followed it up with a 6-for-13 performance at the plate throughout the week—providing three doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored for the Eagles.

+ Payten Jibben, RHP, OF (Oak Creek, 2024):

Illinois-Chicago commit, Jibben remains the heart and soul of Oak Creek in the 2024 season, and proved it with a solid week as a two-way performer. On the mound, Jibben earned a win versus Racine Case—tossing six innings while striking out six. At the plate, the right-handed hitter was 8-for-15 with two doubles, two triples and two walks—reaching base in over half of his plate appearances. Jibben finished with 10 RBIs on the week for the Knights, who have continued to hit their stride as of late.

+ Drew Kavanaugh, RHP, 1B (Sun Prairie East, 2024):

Wisconsin-Eau Claire (football) commit, Kavanaugh hopped on the mound and once again dominated for the No. 1 ranked Cardinals, this time twirled a five-inning perfect game against a strong Sussex Hamilton offense. The right-hander struck out six batters in the process—drawing weak contact throughout the ballgame in route to Sun Prairie East’s 10-0 victory. With that win, the Cardinals improved to 19-0, with Kavanaugh as their ace on the pitching staff.

+ Matthew O'Grady, OF (Badger, 2026):

Uncommitted, O’Grady got off to one of the hottest starts to this past week and maintained that production for a ranked Badger squad. The sophomore has been a star all year, this week finishing 9-for-17 at plate. O’Grady had a home run, two doubles and a triple amongst those hits, good for eight RBIs on the week. He swiped five bags and had two walks as well.

+ Ethan Plog, LHP (Bay Port, 2024):

Iowa Western CC commit, Plog put together another stellar outing on the bump for Bay Port—shutting out a top-10 ranked Manitowoc Lincoln team that has put up strong offensive numbers all year. The left-hander struck out an impressive 14 batters, working around one hit and one walk throughout his seven innings of work. His complete game allowed the Pirates to get a 2-0 win and move to third in the Fox River Classic.

+ Jake Ross, RHP (Wisconsin Lutheran, 2024):

Bryant & Stratton (WI) commit, Ross has been the ace for Wisconsin Lutheran for multiple years now, and followed it up with another elite outing this past week against a ranked Pewaukee squad. The physical right-hander twirled a complete game shutout in game one—listing as only the second pitcher to shutout the Pirates this season. He struck out seven batters in this one, only needing 80 pitches to do so. Ross then came back and earned the save in game two’s action—throwing four pitches to get three outs in the seventh to sweep Pewaukee—garnering attention as one of the top performances of the week.

Jake Ross [4/20/24]

+ Bron Schaefer, LHP, OF (Kaukauna, 2026):

Uncommitted, Schaefer provided an electric start for the Ghosts in a narrow 1-0 victory—striking out 14 batters while twirling a one-hitter in seven innings. His complete game effort was key for Kaukauna, as the left-hander only allowed two walks in the process—keeping the Terrors off the board. The left-hander has been solid all season for the Ghosts, preparing him for a strong summer in 2024.

Bron Schaefer [4/19/24]

+ Brendan Scheel, 1B (Martin Luther, 2025):

Uncommitted, Scheel enjoyed a strong week for Martin Luther, finishing 7-for-9 with two doubles, a triple, six RBIs and two walks. The triple proved to be big for the Spartans, as it drove in two runners and kept their game competitive against a foe they’ll possibly see in the playoffs. After posting max exit velocities in the upper-90s this winter at the South Milwaukee Preseason ID, Scheel has maintained that momentum in the spring.

FRANKLIN

+ Joe Herrick, LHP/1B (Franklin, 2024):

Minnesota-Duluth commit, Herrick dominated his start against Racine Horlick last Wednesday—twirling a five-inning no-hitter while facing the minimum in a 15-0 win for the Sabers. Herrick struck out nine of the 15 batters he faced, pushing through two hit by pitches. It was his second no-hitter of the season, as he combined with RHP Ben Hefter (2025) in his last one.

+ Gavin Anderson, OF (Franklin, 2024):

Uncommitted, Anderson provided a nice spark in the lineup for Franklin throughout the week—finishing 4-for-6 with three doubles and a home run. He drove in six runs for the Sabers, as they outscored Racine Horlick 24-0 in three games of action this past week.

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