NEW GLARUS — The Knights snagged seven spots on the All-Conference list last season, and five of those players return this year.

Outfielder Easton Dreyfus was the lone First-Team All-Conference selection last year as a junior, hitting .382 with a .477 on-base percentage. Fellow senior Ethan Friedrich received Honorable Mention recognition.

As underclassmen a year ago, Leyton Mihlbauer and Patrick Alt also made the Honorable Mention All-Conference list. Mihlbauer hit at a .317 clip and got on base at a .438 percentage. Likewise, Alt also got on base frequently — at a .415 percentage — while hitting .283. 

The remaining All-Conference selections — Second-Team pitcher Eli Zimmerman and Honorable Mention catcher Cale Weeden — leave some holes though, as they graduated in 2022. Head coach Christopher Rear knows filling these spots will be crucial to New Glarus’ success.

“We must find a catcher and some offensive depth,” Rear said. “Our lineup with be top-heavy with All-Conference performers, but the bottom of the lineup is young and unproven. Pitching depth will also be an issue.”

Mihlbauer and Alt have pitching experience, but the Knights will need to create a staff around them. Defensively, the two play infield when they aren’t on the mound. Senior Dylan Fritz can play a multitude of positions as utility, while fellow senior Owen Palmer mans first base. Junior Jake Roth also plays infield. Rear also believes sophomore Nathan Hendrickson will get varsity innings in the infield.

With all the talent returning, Rear expects his team to be at the top of the Capitol South Conference.

“Our goals are to grow, be great teammates and compete for a conference title,” Rear said. 

Belleville stands in the New Glarus’ way though, as conference champions in 2022. The Knights were just one game back of the Wildcats.

“Belleville has a solid group of athletes that just won a conference title in football, basketball and are the defending champs in baseball.”