Apr. 5—ROCHESTER — High school baseball season is underway.
Rochester's five city schools, Century, John Marshall, Lourdes, Mayo and Schaeffer Academy, are suiting up for another year on the ballfield and are ready to start competing.
Head coach: Todd Stellmaker (6th season, 39-51 record).
Last season: The Panthers finished 10-14 overall and 7-9 in Big Nine play. They lost to New Prague in the first round (double elimination) of the Section 1, Class 4A tournament.
Top returners: Mike Ruff (Sr., P/OF, All-Conference, All-Section, 5-2 with a 1.59 ERA last season, Winona State commit); Owen Kelly (Sr., OF/P, hit .321 last season, Bethel University-St. Paul commit); Aiden Neshem (Sr.).
Season outlook: After graduating its top three hitters last season, including All-State and current RCTC player Jerry Fletcher, Century will have to rely on its returning upperclassmen to take the reins. Senior pitcher Mike Ruff, a Winona State commit, is the top returner for the Panthers, head coach Todd Stellmaker said. Senior Aiden Neshem missed all of last season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, but Stellmaker said, "He has looked really strong on the mound and should be a great addition to the pitching staff." As for four-year starter senior Owen Kelly, Stellmaker describes him as the team's "anchor in the outfield." Kelly will play D-III baseball for Bethel University near St. Paul.
Coach Todd Stellmaker says: "We lost a few really key pieces in important positions, but we have some good returning players that should be able to lead us to a successful season. ... We're going to have to rely on our pitching and defense this season and win some low-scoring games. I believe we have the pitching to do it and we have the players who can step in and provide the defense we need behind our pitchers."
Head coach: Tyler Zemla (4th season, 17-50 record).
Last season: The Rockets finished 5-17 overall and 4-12 in Big Nine play. They lost to Farmington in the first round (double elimination) of the Section 1, Class 4A tournament.
Top returners: Nolan Wayne (Sr., SS, 2023 All-Conference/All-Section); Dylan Endle (Jr., 1B/P, 2024 All-Conference, All-Section); Gavin Konz (Sr., 3B/P); Mason Konz (Sr., 2B/RF/P); Alex Brankley (Sr., P); Mark Muenkel (Sr., CF/P).
Season outlook: Head coach Tyler Zelma expects JM's returners to make an impact, including senior shortstop Nolan Wayne, a fourth-year varsity starter who led in plate appearances and OBP (.411) last season. Junior Dylan Endle led the team in hits, doubles, slugging percentage (.409) and runs scored (12) with a .303 batting average. Senior Gavin Konz is in his third year starting on varsity and had 15 2/3 IP (all in relief) last season with 3.57 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Senior Mason Konz is a second-year starter who led JM in innings pitched, wins and strikeouts in 2024. Senior Alex Brankley compiled two wins with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Senior Mark Muenkel, a third-year starter, returns to the Rockets after a season-ending injury last year. He recorded six hits and a .375 batting average from the leadoff spot in the first five games in 2024.
"The strength of our team on the field will be our pitching with a handful of reliable starting pitchers as well as other bullpen pieces to round it off," Zelma said. "The key to a successful season will be playing good defense behind our pitching and getting runs on the board to ultimately take pressure off our pitchers."
Coach Tyler Zemla says: "Our expectations for the year are to compete every night on the field and be playing our best baseball by the time playoffs come around. This will be the most experienced team we've had in the four years I've been coaching. We'll have strong leadership by a core ...
