The end of Excelsior’s American Legion baseball season July 27 was bitter-sweet for three of the star players - Will Koeppen, Max Nelson and Nate Wheeler.
The Fire Club had one of its best records in recent years with a 26-7 mark, however, the last day of the season didn’t go well as Excelsior lost to Eden Prairie twice, 7-4 and 2-0. Since only one team from the Sub-State 4 Tournament moved on to state, Excelsior put the gear away for another season.
While the losses at the end were hard to swallow, the Fire Club played two great games in the Sub-State 4 Tournament. Max Nelson pitched a gem to beat Prior Lake 1-0, and then Excelsior beat Eden Prairie 7-3 with good pitching performances from starter AJ Newell and reliever Koeppen.
“I knew that if we needed relief that game, I was the guy,” Koeppen said. “I noticed that the strike zone was tight, and I didn’t have much time to warm up, but Eden Prairie didn’t scare me.”
Koeppen allowed only one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings to record the victory. Meanwhile, Wheeler had a big day at the plate. The hard-hitting third baseman went three-for-four with three RBIs against Eden Prairie pitching ace Zach Peta. Second baseman Colten Benedict went two-for-four with an RBI.
“It was fun to get some barrels and beat their No. 1 starter,” Wheeler said.
For the Sub-State 4 Tournament, Wheeler stayed red-hot, putting up nine hits with a .529 batting average.
In Excelsior’s 1-0 win over Prior Lake, Nelson threw a complete game. He checked the Lakers with just two hits in seven innings while walking four and striking out six.
“I have been attacking every game this season, mainly working the fastball and the slider,” Nelson said. “I live for the competition. We beat Prior Lake during the high school season, too [with shutout pitching from Ethan Binder].”
Nelson tied Eden Prairie’s Vinny Dykstra for the lowest earned run average in the Sub-State 4 Tournament. Both came in at 0.00 - Nelson in 7 innings and Dykstra in 8 2/3 innings.
What has been the secret to Nelson’s success?
Without hesitating, he said, “I have the best defense in the Midwest behind me.”
During the Minnetonka High season, Koeppen, Nelson and Wheeler led the Skippers to 10 straight wins and a state tournament berth. After losing in the opening round, they rallied to win the consolation title.
Excelsior Legion coach Rob Hager was happy to welcome the trio of All-Lake Conference players to summer ball, and he has been very pleased with not only their play, but also their leadership.
“I will have good memories of our season,” Hager said. “Coming into it, I thought we’d be one of the top teams in the state, and we were.”
Hager called Koeppen, his star shortstop and relief pitcher, “A solid, quiet leader who cares a lot about the team.”
“Will is one of the best shortstops I have seen at the high school level,” Hager continued. “He batted second for us and had a high on-base percentage.”
Nelson was a pitcher-only ballplayer during the high school season. In Legion ball he branched out, taking a starting role in right field when he wasn’t on the mound.
“Max was one of the big bats in our lineup,” Hager said. “He obviously has good stuff, and he’s at his best when competitiveness happens.”
Wheeler hit third in Excelsior’s order and came through with clutch hits often. “He is Big Game Nate to me,” Hager said. “He is cool, calm and collective and loves the game. He played like a second shortstop on the left side of the infield playing next to Will.”
In addition to the All-Lake threesome, Excelsior Legion had other exceptional players, coach Hager noted. Among them are catcher Lincoln Heitkamp, first baseman Gus Berger, Benedict at second base and outfielders Binder, Tyson Mahady and Braden Storts. Zach Steingas and Matt Marceau proved valuable in a utility roles and Nolan Brown provided catching depth.
The pitching staff was a team strength with Nelson, Newell, Berger, Binder, Koeppen, Wheeler, Marceau, Kieran Haaland, Max Borchert, Daniel Musgjerd and Andrew Simmons.
Hager’s coaching staff includes Pete Swenson, Tim Brown and former Excelsior Legion player Will Johnson.
“Pete works with our pitching staff and always treats the kids the right way,” Hager said. “We are super blessed to have Tim, who has a great mind for the game. Will was a coach on the field when he played for us and brings a lot of energy.”
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