Highland High School baseball team looking for deeper playoff run in 2022

In 2021, the Highland baseball Bulldogs evolved from a somewhat unknown entity into a club that gelled over the second half of the season into a successful unit that ultimately finished 23-12.

As the Bulldogs prep for the 2022 campaign, HHS looks to build on last season’s regional appearance and be even better. Highland has 11 players back from last year’s club.

“We’ve got 21, 22 kids and hopefully we’ll find spots for each one of them. And (of course) it works out a lot better if you can find a way to involve them all,” Highland coach Joel Hawkins said.

Seniors Luke Darling, Aiden Duft, Tyler Griesbaum, Greyson Habing, Blaine Kapp, Bryce Knackstedt, Matt Miscik, Blaise Pearson, Hudson Wiegman, and Zach Wilken will give Highland experience this spring.

On the infield, Miscik (.290) returns at first base, and Kapp (.326) will man second base. Junior Trey Koishor is expected to work at shortstop while Duft and freshmen Grant Fleming will share time at third base.

“Those guys are kind of manning the infield spots to start with,” Hawkins said.

Catcher appears to be the only question mark as the Bulldogs work through preseason practices. Darling, who played third base last season, and sophomore Keaton Favre are vying for the catcher’s spot.

“Luke played third base for us last year and has kind of volunteered to go back and catch. So we’re looking at him, but we’re also looking at Keaton Favre,” Hawkins said. “Keaton’s a big kid and is kind of chomping to get in there. He’s ready to go and he’s got some really nice tools, so we’ll take a look at him a little bit, too.”

Mason Emig at first base, Landon Gunter at third base, and Kye Kruse at shortstop will bolster Highland’s infield depth.

Meanwhile, Hawkins has pegged Griesbaum, junior Caleb Fohne, Wiegman, Fleming, sophomore Jake Ottensmeier (.282), and Wilken in the outfield.

On the bump, Fohne (4-1), Pearson (3-2), Miscik (4-2), and sophomore Trent Clemons will form the core of the HHS rotation.

Ottensmeier, Fleming, and Wiegman, and Austin Werner also will be part of the pitching mix when not playing in the field.

One big strength HHS hopes to capitalize on is its team speed. The Bulldogs stole 78 bases a year ago as Kapp led the club with 15 thefts.

“Blaine Kapp, Jake Ottensmeier, Grant Fleming, Tyler Griesbaum, Hudson Wiegman — going down the list — these guys all run fairly well so hopefully we’ll be able use that on the base paths as well as on the field,” Hawkins said.

Shooting for postseason success

Highland is focused on moving beyond the regional round of the IHSA playoffs after being bounced in the Class 3A regional championship by Charleston (7-2) last June.

Hawkins believes the 2022 Bulldogs are clearly gunning for a deep playoff journey.

“They all certainly think so and their standard is set pretty high and that they’re supposed to win whatever they’re in,” Hawkins said. “That’s the beauty of youth and why we go out there and do it.”

HHS kicks off the 2021 season at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, Glik Park in Highland against defending Class 2A champion Freeburg.

This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 1:24 PM.