Baseball: Norskies head into 2024 campaign with many questions

Questions abound when it comes to DeForest baseball in 2024.

Harold Olson, who is entering his 25th season at the Norskies’ helm, likes how athletic the team is, though.

“We are a team of ‘unknowns’ in 2024,” said Olson. “With only three starters returning on offense and defense, and only two returning starting pitchers, the team has a lot to prove in order to challenge for the top spot in the Badger Large Conference. One characteristic that will stand out with this year’s squad is their athleticism. That athleticism should prove to be beneficial for our defense as we have many positions to solidify, and the players are currently competing for those spots.”

A total of 10 letterwinners from last year’s team have departed, while eight return. Junior Cullen Kirchberg is the Norskies’ top returning hitter.

“He batted at the top of our lineup in 2023 and returns this year with an aggressive bat and improved power,” said Olson.

Another junior, Kyle Ugalde, is also expected to be one of DeForest’s top hitters.

“Batting in the middle of our lineup last season, Kyle continues to learn to hit to all areas in the field while improving his power.”

Speaking of power, senior first baseman Tucker Grundahl should provide plenty of it.

“Tucker came on strong toward the end of the 2023 campaign and is aiming to be a force for our lineup this season,” said Olson. “The rest of our lineup will be filled with younger players that will need to learn fast how to adjust to the impressive pitching that our opponents will bring to the mound this season.”

Limiting runs is always a focus for DeForest.

“Defensively, pitching is always our No. 1 focus for our team,” said Olson. “Our goal is to create a pitching staff that is effective in getting the opponents to put the ball in play that our defense can make plays on. Getting ahead in the count in each at bat is important. Historically and statistically, pitching from behind against both strong conference and non-conference teams proves to be fatal in baseball.”

Errors that lead to unearned runs can also be deadly. Olson believes this team can play solid defense.

“Our infield and outfield philosophy is to consistently make the routine play, limiting extra bases by the opponent,” said Olson. “Getting outs when they present themselves saves a lot of pitches for our staff. This where our athleticism comes into play. It should make for an exciting team to watch this spring.”

A couple of returning arms give DeForest hope for good things on the mound.

“Our top two returning arms are Cullen Kirchberg and Gabe Reyes (a senior),” said Olson. “Both have strong, live arms. Each presents their own ‘wrinkles’ that will keep opposing hitters on their heels.”

Others in the pitching rotation are expected to contribute are juniors Eli Galvin, Conner Giese and Danny Soczka, as Olson said they are showing signs of solidifying the staff.

“All three offer strong arms and are learning how to become effective on the mound,” said Olson. “Joining this group includes Jacob Heuer (senior), Andrew Herfel (senior), TJ Taylor (senior), Otis Crawford (senior), Mitch Anderson (senior), Jacob Asen (junior) and Nolan Anderson (junior), are training hard to get some innings on the mound to help our team get through a 26-game regular season.”

Fortifying the Norskies’ defense will be Galvin, Giese and Soczka, along with outfielders Nick Hermansen (junior), Taylor, Connor Fox (junior) and Mason Ladwig (sophomore). Rotating around the infield, according to Olson, will be Kirchberg, Reyes, Soczka, Galvin, Grundahl, Crawford, Adam Carr (junior) and Carter Meyers (sophomore.”

At catcher, Ugalde and Meyers will settle in behind the dish.

When it comes to strengths and weaknesses, Olson is a little worried about the hitting.

“Our strength, once again, is our overall athleticism,” said Olson. “We have many players that have the ability to play multiple positions. Our weakness entering the season will be our offensive lineup. We are working each day in the preseason in all three facets of the game (pitching, defense and offense), but will really focus on creating lineups that can generate runs consistently against a strong schedule of both conference and non-conference opponents.”

As the returning conference champion, Monona Grove is expected to be a “force to reckon with this season once again,” said Olson. Waunakee and Watertown were runners-up a year ago, and Olson figures they’ll both return solid lineups “and will be tough to defeat,” he added.

To break into the upper echelon of the Badger Large, DeForest will rely on a strong culture, buoyed by the five conference champions under Olson’s guidance, plus seven regional titles and two sectional runners-up finishes.

“As with any high school sport, creative a positive, hard-working and competitive atmosphere for our players should keep them in the running for a conference championship and earning a respective seed going into the postseason,” said Olson.