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Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 5 Denmark

March 25, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 31, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 23, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Throughout the month of March we will be counting down our Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings leading up to the No. 1 team right before opening day.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 5 Denmark

2014 Record: 23-5
WIAA Classification: 2
Conference: Bay
Head Coach: Bill Miller
2014 Playoff Run: Regional Finalist 

TOP PLAYERS

Jack Collins, LHP, 2015 (North Dakota)
Tanner Umentum, RHP, 2015 (Chicago State)
Riley Pelischek, LHP, 2015 (North Dakota)
Derek Van Pay, RHP/OF, 2015 (St. Cloud State)

STAT RAT

Pitching will obviously be Denmark’s strength in 2015, and one of the top three pitching staffs in the state. 20 of the Viking 23 wins return to the mound in the quartet of Collins (6-3, 1.29), Umentum (5-2, 2.49), Pelischek (5-0, 0.72) and Van Pay (4-0, 2.07). Coach Miller has the only team in the state to return 20 wins to the mound in 2015 and all four have the capability to be the team ace and put up even better numbers in 2015.

X-FACTOR

As much as the Vikings return to the mound, they lost a good portion of their offense. Their offensive output and defensive prowess will be the key to Denmark’s success in 2015. There is no doubt every time they take the field they pose the threat of tossing a shutout but at some point the Viking arms will need some help out of their offense as well as a pick me up from the defense. All four of their arms are also contributors in the lineup so each of them will have the opportunity to help their own cause.

OUTLOOK

The Bay Conference got a little lighter in 2015 with the loss of Hortonville to the Fox Valley Association. Menasha is the new team to the Bay that will take the Polar Bears’ place but don’t expect them to replace Hortonville’s win total. With that being said, Denmark is the favorite to win the Bay conference this year, falling just one game short last year to Hortonville. Outside of Arrowhead, Denmark is the only staff in the state comprised of three Division 1 committed pitchers. Their dominance on the mound will be a huge luxury for Coach Miller and his staff. Come playoff time, any four of these arms can win the big game and Denmark can go deeper into their rotation than anyone else in Division 2, which is why they are our top ranked D2 team and our preseason favorite to win the title in D2.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.

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By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor – Wisconsin/Illinois

The Wisconsin high school season kicks off on March 31, the first day for regular season games. Most teams will begin practicing on March 23, getting their rosters set and finalizing their lineups.

Throughout the month of March we will be counting down our Preseason Power 25 Team Rankings leading up to the No. 1 team right before opening day.

CLICK HERE for complete Preseason Power 25.

No. 5 Denmark

2014 Record: 23-5
WIAA Classification: 2
Conference: Bay
Head Coach: Bill Miller
2014 Playoff Run: Regional Finalist 

TOP PLAYERS

Jack Collins, LHP, 2015 (North Dakota)
Tanner Umentum, RHP, 2015 (Chicago State)
Riley Pelischek, LHP, 2015 (North Dakota)
Derek Van Pay, RHP/OF, 2015 (St. Cloud State)

STAT RAT

Pitching will obviously be Denmark’s strength in 2015, and one of the top three pitching staffs in the state. 20 of the Viking 23 wins return to the mound in the quartet of Collins (6-3, 1.29), Umentum (5-2, 2.49), Pelischek (5-0, 0.72) and Van Pay (4-0, 2.07). Coach Miller has the only team in the state to return 20 wins to the mound in 2015 and all four have the capability to be the team ace and put up even better numbers in 2015.

X-FACTOR

As much as the Vikings return to the mound, they lost a good portion of their offense. Their offensive output and defensive prowess will be the key to Denmark’s success in 2015. There is no doubt every time they take the field they pose the threat of tossing a shutout but at some point the Viking arms will need some help out of their offense as well as a pick me up from the defense. All four of their arms are also contributors in the lineup so each of them will have the opportunity to help their own cause.

OUTLOOK

The Bay Conference got a little lighter in 2015 with the loss of Hortonville to the Fox Valley Association. Menasha is the new team to the Bay that will take the Polar Bears’ place but don’t expect them to replace Hortonville’s win total. With that being said, Denmark is the favorite to win the Bay conference this year, falling just one game short last year to Hortonville. Outside of Arrowhead, Denmark is the only staff in the state comprised of three Division 1 committed pitchers. Their dominance on the mound will be a huge luxury for Coach Miller and his staff. Come playoff time, any four of these arms can win the big game and Denmark can go deeper into their rotation than anyone else in Division 2, which is why they are our top ranked D2 team and our preseason favorite to win the title in D2.

If you are a high school coach and have yet to send in your Preseason Questionnaire please fill one out HERE.