Playoff Time: St. Peters High School Baseball Playoff Preview

With the high school baseball playoffs beginning all over the state this weekend, we here at St. Peters Patch would like to provide our readers with a complete playoff preview for the three MSHSAA districts that involve St. Peters-area teams.

Three of the five St. Peters-area schools (Ft. Zumwalt East, Ft. Zumwalt South, and Francis Howell Central) are in the same district, Class 4 District 8, which also includes teams from O’Fallon and St. Charles.

The Class 4 District 8 semifinals and championship game, weather permitting, are scheduled for May 17 and May 19, at Ft. Zumwalt West High School.

A fourth St. Peters-area school, (Francis Howell North), is in Class 4 District 7, and will play against teams from a cross-section of conferences from Creve Couer and Maryland Heights.

Those district semifinals and championship game are also scheduled for May 17 and May 19, with the semifinals being played at the home field of the higher seeded team, and the championship game at Parkway Central, no matter which teams advance that far.

The fifth St. Peters-area school, (Lutheran High School), will compete in Class 3 District 6, and will play against schools from the Eastern Missouri Conference and several smaller schools from St. Louis County.

And like Class 4 District 8, the semifinals and championship game in Class 3 District 6 will be played at the same location, Winfield (MO) High School, on May 16 and May 18.

The district champions would advance to the state sectionals, which are scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, and will be played at locations to be determined once the district round is over.

Here’s our inside look at the state baseball playoffs.

No. 1 seed – Francis Howell Vikings (25-3)

The skinny on the Vikings: Co-champions of the GAC South, started season 13-0, have won 12 of their last 13.

• Record in last 10 games: 9-1
• Last week: Defeated Ft. Zumwalt North 8-7 and Wentzville Holt 10-2, both on Tuesday.
• Top Hitters: Brett Graves, Sr.-- .455 ba, 5 HR, 28 RBI; Gordie Gundaker, Sr.--.453 ba, 1 HR, 28 RBI; Case Munson, Sr.-- .444 ba, 10 HR, 48 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Brett Graves, Sr.-- 7-1, 1.25 ERA; Aaron Dunkley, Sr.—5-1, 3.06 ERA; Steven Diel, Sr.—4-0, 2.07 ERA.
• Will play:  St. Dominic (16-8) at Ft. Zumwalt South, Monday, May 16, at 1:30 pm.
• With win: Would face Ft. Zumwalt North-Ft. Zumwalt South winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 2 seed – Francis Howell Central Spartans (19-7)

The skinny on the Spartans: Co-champions of the GAC South, won school-record 19 games this season, won 10 in a row at midseason.

• Record in last 10 games: 6-4
• Last week: Lost at Pattonville 2-0 on Tuesday, lost 7-6 against Hazelwood West on Wednesday.
• Top Hitters:  Jake Henson, Jr.-- .488 ba, 4 HR, 30 RBI; Dean Ballenger, Sr.-- .378 ba, 3 HR, 25 RBI; Jayden Lumpa, Jr.-- .438 ba, 13 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Alex Erb, Jr.—6-4, 2.45 ERA; Bryan Webb, Sr.—4-0, 3.53 ERA; Scott Huessman, Jr.—4-0, 6.08 ERA.
• Will play:  St. Charles West (9-18) at Ft. Zumwalt West, Monday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m.
• With win: Would face Ft. Zumwalt East-Ft. Zumwalt West winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No.  3 seed – Ft. Zumwalt East Lions (19-8)

The skinny on the Lions: Co-champions of the GAC North.

• Record in last 10 games: 7-3.
• Last week: Defeated Winfield 11-5 on Tuesday, and O’Fallon Christian 15-5 on Wednesday.
• Top Hitters: Branden Sugar, Sr.-- .463 ba, 4 HR 23 RBI; Eric Keling, Sr.-- .449 ba, 4 HR, 19 RBI; Marvin Byrd, Sr.-- .362 ba, 3 HR, 21 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Tanner Trokey, Sr.—6-0, 4.08 ERA; Eric Keling, Sr.—5-2, 4.20 ERA; Clayton Meyer, Sr.—2-2, 3.57 ERA.
• Will play: at Ft. Zumwalt West (14-14), Monday, May 16, at 4 p.m.
• With win: Wouldface Francis Howell Central-St. Charles West winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 4 seed – Ft. Zumwalt North Panthers (16-8)

The skinny on the Panthers: co-champions of the GAC North.

• Record in last 10 games: 6-4.
• Last week: lost 8-7 to Francis Howell on Tuesday, defeated Troy 12-1 on Wednesday, and defeated Warrenton 10-0 on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Joey Siegler, Sr.-- .493 ba, 4 HR, 22 RBI; Dre Gleason, Soph.-- .419 ba, 6 HR, 34 RBI; Wade Rothermich, Sr.-- .452 ba, 6 HR, 29 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Joey Siegler, Sr.—5-2, 3.24 ERA; Lew Caradonna, Sr.—4-2, 4.87 ERA.
• Will play:  at Ft. Zumwalt South (15-11), Monday, May 16, at 4 p.m.
• With win: would face Francis Howell-St. Dominic winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 5 seed – Ft. Zumwalt South Bulldogs (15-11)

The skinny on the Bulldogs: co-champions of the GAC North.

• Record in last 10 games: 7-3.
• Last week: lost 8-6 at Lafayette on Tuesday, defeated Barat Academy 5-4 on Wednesday.
• Top Hitters: Ryan Light, Sr.-- .451 ba, 1 HR, 11 RBI; Gerrion Grim, Jr.-- .365 ba, 1 HR, 16 RBI; Jeff Smugala, Soph.-- .412 ba, 15 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Gerrion Grim, Jr.—6-3, 1.67 ERA; Blake Hetelle, Sr.—4-1, 3.59 ERA.
• Will play: Ft. Zumwalt North (16-8) at Ft. Zumwalt South, Monday, May 16, at 4 p.m.
• With win: Would face Francis Howell-St. Dominic winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 6 seed – Ft. Zumwalt West Jaguars (14-14)

The skinny on the Jaguars: tied for 5th place in the GAC South.

• Record in last 10 games: 6-4.
• Last week: defeated Windsor 7-0 on Wednesday, and defeated Hazelwood West 13-2 on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Tommy Hager, Jr.-- .420 ba, 1 HR, 27 RBI; Colton Howell, Jr.-- .487 ba, 3 HR, 16 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Tyler Kummer, Sr.-- 6-3, 3.45 ERA; Dan Gabler, Jr.-- 4-3, 4.52 ERA.
• Will play: Ft. Zumwalt East (19-8) at Ft. Zumwalt West, Monday, May 16, at 4 p.m.
• With win: would face Francis Howell Central-St.  Charles West winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 7 seed – St. Charles West Warriors (9-18)

The skinny on the Warriors: tied for fifth place in GAC North, started season 3-15, have won six of nine since.

• Record in last 10 games: 6-4.
• Last week they: Lost 13-1 against Francis Howell North on Monday, and lost 8-2 at Westminster Christian on Tuesday.
• Top Hitters: Kyle Anders, Fr.-- .400 ba, 2 HR, 7 RBI; Tanner Davis, Sr.-- .348 ba, 2 RBI.
• Top Pitchers:  Brent Ricketts, Soph.—2-5, 5.46 ERA.
• Will play: Francis Howell Central (19-7) at Ft. Zumwalt West, Monday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m.
• With win: would face Ft. Zumwalt East-Ft. Zumwalt West winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 8 seed – St. Dominic Crusaders

The skinny on the Crusaders: co-champions of the AAA conference.

• Record in last 10 games: 5-5.
• Last week: Defeated JFK 9-2 on Monday, and defeated Bishop DuBourg 8-1 on Tuesday.
• Top Hitters: Spencer Wilmes, Jr.-- .451 ba, 5 HR, 28 RBI; James Lang, Sr.-- .429 ba, 1 HR, 9 RBI
• Top Pitchers: Charles Koehler, Sr.—4-0, 1.88 ERA; Jacob Wehde, Jr.—3-2, 3.10 ERA.
• Will play:  Francis Howell (25-3) at Ft. Zumwalt South, Monday, May 16, at 1:30 p.m.
• With win: Would face Ft. Zumwalt South-Ft. Zumwalt North winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 1 seed – CBC Cadets (17-6)

The skinny on the Cadets – finished second in Metro Catholic Conference, defending Class 4 state champs.

• Record in last 10 games: 7-3.
• Last week: Lost 5-3 against SLUH on Tuesday, defeated DeSmet 3-2 on Wednesday, lost 8-4 at SLUH on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Mike Ehrhard, Sr.-- .487 ba, 8 HR, 38 RBI; Brennan Devers, Sr.-- .407 ba, 4 HR, 20 RBI; Derek Corell, Sr.-- .397 ba, 11 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: David Schmidt, Sr.—5-0, 2.31 ERA; Brennan Devers, Sr.—5-0, 1.81 ERA; Mike Ehrhard, Sr.—0-3, 4.77 ERA, 4 SV.
• Will play: DeSmet-Parkway North winner, after earning first-round bye as district’s top-seed. CBC will host the district semifinal, which is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win:  Would advance to district championship game, which will also be hosted by CBC, on Thursday, May 19, at 4:15 p.m.

No. 2 seed – Francis Howell North Knights (16-11)

The skinny on the Knights: finished in fifth place in GAC South, after 8-2 midseason run lost seven straight.

• Record in last 10 games: 4-6.
• Last week they: defeated St. Charles West 13-1, defeated Parkway West 16-6.
• Top Hitters: Braxton Martinez, Jr.-- .556 ba, 9 HR, 46 RBI; Mike Wilson, Sr.-- .556 ba, 9 HR, 36 RBI; Dan Define, Sr.-- .429 ba, 5 HR, 25 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Chris Volpo, Sr.—5-2, 0.66 ERA; Brett Sloan, Sr.—3-2, 4.20 ERA.
• Will play: St. Charles (9-16) at Howell North, on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win: Would face Pattonville-Parkway Central winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 3 seed – Pattonville Pirates (17-5)

The skinny on the Pirates: Suburban North Conference champs.

• Record in last 10 games: 8-2.
• Last week: Defeated Francis Howell Central 2-0 on Monday, lost 7-6 at Hazelwood West on Tuesday, defeated Ritenour 12-3 on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Brad Ridings, Sr.-- .462 ba, 1 HR, 15 RBI; Brett McDonald, Sr.-- .424 ba, 14 RBI; Matt Hahn, Sr.-- .340 ba, 17 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Jimmy Benoist, Sr.—5-1, 1.60 ERA; Brett McDonald, Sr.—4-0, 2.36 ERA.
• Will play: Parkway Central (8-15-1) at Pattonville, Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win: Would face Francis Howell North-St. Charles winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 4 seed – DeSmet Spartans (14-9)

The skinny on the Spartans: Finished in fourth place in the Metro Catholic Conference, has not won or lost more than three games in a row all season.

• Record in last 10 games: 5-5.
• Last week: Lost 3-2 at CBC on Wednesday, won 12-5 at St. Charles West on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Zach Caldwell, Sr.-- .250 ba, 5 HR, 25 RBI; Chris Arends, Jr.-- .222 ba, 4 HR, 14 RBI; Brandon Gutcher, Soph.-- .328 ba, 3 HR, 14 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Brian Graf, Sr.—3-0, 1.91 ERA; Alex Parker, Sr.—3-0, 2.14 ERA; Kyle Bouman, Sr.—2-3, 2.26 ERA.
• Will play: Parkway North (13-13) at DeSmet Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win: Would face top-seeded and defending state champ CBC in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 5 seed – Parkway North Vikings (13-13)

The skinny on the Vikings: Finished sixth in the Suburban South Conference.

• Record in last 10 games: 5-5.
• Last week: Defeated Troy 14-8 on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Andrew Childs, Sr.-- .372 ba, 1 HR, 13 RBI; Michael Bozarth, Jr.-- .359 ba, 4 HR, 23 RBI; Danny Heim, Sr.-- .351 ba, 1 HR, 22 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Austin Paul, Sr.-- 5-1, 2.73 ERA; Grant Benten, Sr.-- 3-1, 2.96 ERA; Danny Heim, Sr.-- 2-4, 1.09 ERA.
• Will play: at DeSmet (14-9) Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win: Would face top-seeded and defending state champ CBC in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 6 seed – Parkway Central Colts (8-15-1)

The skinny on the Colts: Finished fourth in the Suburban South Conference.

• Record in last 10 games: 6-4.
• Last week: Defeated Troy 8-7 on Tuesday, defeated Parkway West 7-6 on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Zach Crel, Jr.-- .375 ba, 12 RBI; Lucas Mueller, Sr.-- .299 ba, 4 HR, 12 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Elliot Rosen, Sr.—2-2, 4.60; Lucas Mueller, Sr.—1-5, 4.58 ERA; Jonathan Rembold, Jr.—2-1, 3.20 ERA.
• Will play: at Pattonville (17-5) on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win: Would face Francis Howell North-St. Charles winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 7 seed – St. Charles Pirates (9-16)

The skinny on the Pirates: finished tied for fourth in the GAC North.

• Record in last 10 games:  3-7.
• Last week: Defeated Hannibal 6-0 on Monday, defeated Duchesne 4-1 on Tuesday, lost 12-5 against DeSmet on Thursday.
• Top Hitters: Matt Glanzner, .430 ba, 3 HR, 13 RBI; Matt Mitchell, .400 ba, 5 HR, 20 RBI; Connor Brett, .383 ba, 1 HR, 16 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Connor Brett, 4-4, 2.50  ERA; Austin Olendorff, 3-3, 2.23 ERA.
• Will play: at Francis Howell North (16-11) on Monday, May 16, at 4:15 p.m.
• With win: Would face Pattonville-Parkway Central winner in district semifinals on Tuesday, May 17.

No. 1 seed – Lutheran St. Charles Cougars (18-6)

The skinny on the Cougars:  Co-champions of the AAA conference.

• Record in last 10 games: 8-2.
• Last week: Defeated Priory 3-2 on Monday, defeated Duchesne 7-2 on Tuesday.
• Top Hitters: Nick Paulter, Jr-- .451 ba, 27 RBI; Kirk McElwaine, Sr.-- .358 ba, 13 RBI; Brandon Grisham, Sr.-- .351 ba, 1 HR, 11 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Austin Klein, Soph., 6-0, 1.98; Timmy Miller, Sr.-- 5-1, 3.21 ERA; Lucas Swindle, Fr.-- 2-0, 3.23 ERA.
• Will play: McCluer South-Berkeley (6-11) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win: Would face Wright City-Trinity Catholic winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No. 2 seed – Winfield Warriors (20-4)

The skinny on the Warriors: Eastern Missouri Conference champions, won 16 in a row before loss last week to Metro East Lutheran.

• Record in last 10 games: 9-1.
• Last week: Defeated Priory 3-2 on Monday, and defeated Duchesne 7-2 on Wednesday.
• Top Hitters: Dalton Entwistle, Jr.-- .580 ba, 4 HR, 39 RBI; Dylan Terrell, Sr.-- .500 ba, 13 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Dylan Terrell, Sr.-- 8-2, 1.99 ERA; Daniel Novak, Jr.-- 5-0, 2.91 ERA.
• Will play: Duchesne (0-25) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win: Would face Orchard Farm-O’Fallon Christian winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No.  3 seed – Orchard Farm Eagles (18-5)

The skinny on the Eagles: Finished in second place in the Eastern Missouri Conference.

• Record in last 10 games: 8-2.
• Last week: Defeated Bowling Green 14-0, defeated Clopton 17-5, defeated Lutheran South 6-4.
• Top Hitters: Zack Jones, Sr.-- .519 ba, 4 HR, 38 RBI; Kyle Kramer, Jr.-- .403 ba, 2 HR, 18 RBI; Spencer Pugh, Jr.-- .403 ba, 2 HR, 27 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Daniel Kuehler, Sr.-- 6-1, 3.65 ERA; Spender Pugh, Jr.-- 4-3, 4.98 ERA; Andy Plackemeier, Sr.-- 4-0, 3.63 ERA.
• Will play: O’Fallon Christian (11-13) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win: Would face Wright City-Trinity Catholic winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No. 4 seed – Wright City Wildcats (10-7)

The skinny on the Wildcats: Finished in third place in Eastern Missouri Conference.

• Record in last six games: 3-3.
• Last week: Lost 8-3 at Hermann on Monday, and defeated Wellsville 29-3 on Tuesday.
• Top Hitters: Austin Meine, Soph.-- .404 ba, 1 HR, 17 RBI; Greg Hobusch, Jr.-- .362 ba, 2 HR, 20 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Tyler Tuepker, Soph.—4-1, 1.77 ERA; Austin Meine- Soph.—4-3, 1.59 ERA; Brandon Bote, Sr.—2-3, 3.30 ERA.
• Will play:Trinity Catholic (14-9) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win:  Would face Lutheran SC-McCluer South Berkeley winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No. 5 seed – Trinity Catholic Titans (14-9)

The skinny on the Titans: Finished in third place in AAA conference.

• Record in last 10 games: 8-2.
• Last week: Defeated Riverview 8-3, defeated John F.Kennedy Catholic 15-6, defeated Cardinal Ritter 4-2.
• Top Hitters: Juan Bowers, Sr.-- .444 ba, 8 HR, 29 RBI; Drew Moran, Sr.-- .462 ba, 6 HR, 25 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Nick Payeur, Jr.—5-3, 3.15 ERA; Drew Moran, Sr.—3-3, 3.97 ERA.
• Will play: Wright City (10-7) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win: Would  face Lutheran SC-McCluer South-Berkeley winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No. 6  seed – O’Fallon Christian Eagles (11-13)

The skinny on the Eagles: Conference independent, likely to join AAA in 2012, played majority of home games at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon.  

• Record in last 10 games: 4-6.
• Last week: Defeated Warrenton 7-6 on Monday, lost 15-5 to Ft. Zumwalt East on Wednesday, lost 14-11 at Westminster Christian on Thursday.  
• Top Hitters: Billy Billings, Sr.-- .454 ba, 2 HR 18 RBI; Eli Dilday, Fr.-- .427 ba, 2 HR, 33 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Josh Matejka, Jr.—3-2, 3.11 ERA; Cory Canterbury, Fr.—3-1, 4.27 ERA.
• Will play: Orchard Farm (18-5) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win: Would face Winfield-Duchesne winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No. 7 seed – Duchesne Pioneers (0-25)

The skinny on the Pioneers: On current 26-game losing streak, have not won a game since last season’s first-round playoff game against Bowling Green High.

• Record in last 10 games: 0-10.
• Last week: Lost 4-1 at St. Charles, lost 7-2 against Lutheran SC.
• Top Hitters: Zach Bohr, Sr.-- .403 ba, 2 HR, 20 RBI; Sam Chambers, Jr.-- .391 ba, 6 RBI.
•  Top Pitchers: Alex Grupas, Soph.—0-7, 5.38 ERA; Jason Schmeid, Soph.—0-5, 6.11 ERA.
•  Will play: Winfield (20-4), on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined. 
• With win: Would face Orchard Farm-O’Fallon Christian winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.

No. 8 seed – McCluer South-Berkeley Bulldogs (6-11)

The skinny on the Bulldogs: finished in fourth place in Suburban East Conference.

• Record in last 6 games: 1-5.
• Last week: Lost 7-0 at Maplewood-Richmond Heights, defeated Lift for Life Academy 15-14.
• Top Hitters: Donnie Fox, Sr.-- .410 ba, 6 RBI; Fred Owens, Sr.-- .324 ba, 5 RBI.
• Top Pitchers: Donnie Fox, Sr.—1-4, 6.48 ERA; Ramon Henderson, Soph.—1-2, 27.29 ERA.
• Will play: Lutheran St. Charles (18-6) on Monday, May 16, at a site to be determined.
• With win: Would face Wright City-Trinity Catholic winner in district semifinals on Monday, May 16.