INA, Ill. (January 22, 2025) — The Warriors head into the 2025 season with high expectations under third year head coach Chris Moddelmog. Rend Lake will be led by nine hitters who return with a lot of experience and a chip on their shoulder.
“We finally will have a veteran group of hitters that have played at this level. We didn’t finish last season like we wanted to so this group has something to prove," said Moddelmog. "From day one they have come to the field, weight room and classroom ready to work and turn this thing around."
Setting the table at the top of the lineup will be sophomore Ethan Landis. He will move to the outfield this season and will continue to create havoc on the bases. Sophomores Braden Pingel and Nathan York, along with Freshman Camron Ande will also be mainstays in the Warriors outfield. Pingel will lead the defense while roaming centerfield, while York once again will hit in the middle of the lineup. Ande brings a good bat and some speed to the lineup. Briar Rowland and Asious Kavich will be called on to use their speed while Gunner Massey will be a hitter off the bench.
The infield will once again be anchored by 2024 Gold Glove winner at SS Sophomore Colin McClure. McClure will team up with fellow Sophomore Kemper Whisman to make a very good double play combo this season. Both will hit towards the top of the lineup and be called up to produce both offense and defense. Freshmen Jack Harre and Caden Spicer will man the hot corner, and both bring good things to the club at the plate and in the field. Cadwell Turner (Bethel Univ. signee) and Drew Bradley will man 1B and the DH role to begin the season and both will be called on to drive in runs in the middle of the order. Turner can take his versatility to the outfield if needed and Bradley can go behind the plate as well. Makabe Devor brings some depth to the infield and will be used as a runner as well off the bench.
“We really feel like we can be very good at catching the ball this season. It is a big bonus to a pitching staff when the defense doesn’t give the other team extra outs. If we can play clean baseball, it will give us a good chance to win a lot of games,” said Moddelmog.
The Warriors will have a veteran crew behind the plate. Sophomores Devin Kiebler, Dom Davis and Bradley make up a very good group of catchers. “There are times when all three of these guys were in the game last year and it may happen again this year as well. They all bring a little different skill set to the field each day,” said Moddelmog. Brian Lockhart also will give the team some added depth off the bench from the Catcher spot.
The pitching staff will be led by Sophomore Pierce Herrenbruck. The Ohio State signee will be one of the top returners in the GRAC and the Warriors are looking for big things from the righthander. Sophomores James Cravens, Davis Beale (McKendree signee), Tim Cansler and Eric Bergquist will all log valuable innings on the mound, while transfer Mason Wargel will be a contributor out of the bullpen. Whisman and Harre will be looked on to get some big outs as well for the Warriors as two-way guys.
Leading the Freshman arms will be Lochlan Hansel, Konner Myatt, Alex Calhoun, Eli Maynor and Cade Kelly. “We really like our freshman class on the hill, and they will all get a chance early to see how they fit into the staff,” said pitching coach Ted Bergquist. Bryce Minton, Ty Wilzbacher, Ayden McAtee, Kai Hernandez, Brady Graskewicz, Austin Ellis, and Massey will all get a chance on the mound this spring.
“It takes a lot of guys on the mound to be successful in this league and we feel like we have a chance to have a really deep staff,” said Bergquist. “We have a lot of different looks and hope that is something that becomes a strength for us this year.”
The season kicks off on Feb. 1 at Mt. Dew Park in Marion, IL with a three-game set vs Missouri West Plains. Trips to Millington, TN, Mississippi and Alabama highlight the pre-season schedule followed by the GRAC opener on March 6.