BLANCHARDVILLE - The defining moment of the season for the Pecatonica baseball team could come in a doubleheader today against Barneveld.
Pecatonica (10-5, 4-0 Six Rivers East) could put a stranglehold on winning the Six Rivers East Conference if the Vikings sweep Barneveld (12-1, 5-0). Even a split in the doubleheader would set Pecatonica up to share the conference title like the Vikings did last year with the Eagles.
"There shouldn't be any problem getting up for the games playing for first place and playing Barneveld, our rival," Pecatonica coach Jim Strommen said.
Barneveld, ranked fourth in the Division 4 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association state poll, has seven starters back from last year's team that made a run to the WIAA Division 4 state tournament including four all-conference players.
"It's a big doubleheader," Strommen said. "We have had big games in the past. It gives kids something to look forward to. We will have to play our best baseball come Monday."
The Vikings have been relying on younger players this season, but they still have a core of upperclassmen who have helped carry the offense this year. That core includes senior Devin Jeglum, who is back after a groin injury. The Vikings' core also includes juniors Taylor Berg, Tannar Johnson, Ross Gilbertson and senior Chris Hendrickson.
"Those guys have been our most consistent hitters," Strommen said. "They (Barneveld) are an experienced team. That's the advantage they have over us."
It all starts with Jeglum at lead off, Strommen said.
"Devin is kind of our catalyst at the top of the order," he said. "He's our best base runner. He has the most speed on the team."
Johnson is expected to pitch one of the games in the doubleheader. Jeglum and Berg will also be available to pitch in one of the games.
"In the second game, I think it will be a combination of pitchers," Strommen said. "We are limited as far as the number of innings they can throw."
The Vikings have won four straight games and Barneveld's only loss came to Southwestern.
"We are still in the learning process," Strommen said. "We are getting better in small baby steps."
Pecatonica (10-5, 4-0 Six Rivers East) could put a stranglehold on winning the Six Rivers East Conference if the Vikings sweep Barneveld (12-1, 5-0). Even a split in the doubleheader would set Pecatonica up to share the conference title like the Vikings did last year with the Eagles.
"There shouldn't be any problem getting up for the games playing for first place and playing Barneveld, our rival," Pecatonica coach Jim Strommen said.
Barneveld, ranked fourth in the Division 4 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association state poll, has seven starters back from last year's team that made a run to the WIAA Division 4 state tournament including four all-conference players.
"It's a big doubleheader," Strommen said. "We have had big games in the past. It gives kids something to look forward to. We will have to play our best baseball come Monday."
The Vikings have been relying on younger players this season, but they still have a core of upperclassmen who have helped carry the offense this year. That core includes senior Devin Jeglum, who is back after a groin injury. The Vikings' core also includes juniors Taylor Berg, Tannar Johnson, Ross Gilbertson and senior Chris Hendrickson.
"Those guys have been our most consistent hitters," Strommen said. "They (Barneveld) are an experienced team. That's the advantage they have over us."
It all starts with Jeglum at lead off, Strommen said.
"Devin is kind of our catalyst at the top of the order," he said. "He's our best base runner. He has the most speed on the team."
Johnson is expected to pitch one of the games in the doubleheader. Jeglum and Berg will also be available to pitch in one of the games.
"In the second game, I think it will be a combination of pitchers," Strommen said. "We are limited as far as the number of innings they can throw."
The Vikings have won four straight games and Barneveld's only loss came to Southwestern.
"We are still in the learning process," Strommen said. "We are getting better in small baby steps."
