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2023 Summer Baseball Update
7/18/2023 9:10:00 AM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS – Halfway through the 2023 summer baseball calendar, nearly 20 current and future members of the Gopher Baseball program have competed on summer teams throughout the country. Fifteen returning players and two incoming freshmen have played on nine different teams in four collegiate summer baseball leagues.Â
The majority of the Gophers can be found in the Northwoods League (13) as is typical. Other leagues in which the 'U' has been represented include: Appalachian (1), Coastal Plains (1) and Cape Cod (2). Check out the mid-summer update to see how our guys have been playing.
Appalachian League (1)
Tristan Ellis, Fr., INF (Greenville Flyboys) – Ellis spent the 2023 season with the Gophers focusing on his development. Prior to Minnesota, he was ranked by Prep Baseball Report as the No. 1 middle infielder in Wisconsin. In his first collegiate summer ball season, he has played 17 games, collecting 11 hits and seven walks, and has scored seven runs for the Flyboys.Â
Cape Cod League (2)
Brett Bateman, Jr., OF (Cotuit Kettleers) – Bateman started 48 out the 50 games he played for the Gophers in 2023. The junior slashed .354/.407/.450 with 67 hits, 29 runs scored and 12 RBI. Last summer he played for the Willmar Stingers where he hit .330 with 17 RBI, 42 runs scored and 61 hits. This summer, Bateman played 13 games with Cotuit. At the time of his pre-determined release, he was leading the Cape Cod League in batting average (.500), hits (23) and on-base percentage (.519). Bateman was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the MLB Draft on July 10.
Tucker Novotny, So., LHP (Cotuit Kettleers) – As the Friday starter in 2023, Novotny made 14 appearances, striking out a team-high 80 batters. He pitched 73.1 innings while allowing 41 earned runs and 39 walks. Last summer, he pitched for the Willmar Stingers, making a team-high 13 appearances with 56 strikeouts. With the Kettleers this summer, Novotny made three appearances before reaching his innings limit. He struck out 14 hitters with five walks in 11 innings pitched.
Brady Counsell and Sam Malec each appeared in one game in the Cape Cod League this summer. Counsell went 1-1 in his appearance with the Cotuit Kettlleers. Malec pitched 1.2 innings for the Wareham Gatemen.
Coastal Plains League (1)
Jake Larson, So., INF (Macon Bacon) – In 32 games for the Gophers in 2023, Larson tallied 18 hits, including five doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Last summer, he played for Macon batting .264 with a home run and eight RBI. In his return with the Bacon this summer, Larson has played in 16 games, collecting 13 hits and five walks. He added seven RBI and scored eight runs in his 56 at-bats for the summer.
Northwoods League (13)
Drew Berkland, Fr., OF/C (Wausau Woodchucks) – In his true freshman season for the Gophers, Berkland played in 23 games, totaling six hits and two RBI. In his first collegiate summer ball league, he has maintained a .295 batting average in 112 at bats. Berkland has collected 33 hits, including four home runs, 23 RBI and 24 runs scored. He was named Northwoods League Player of the Night on June 21 after going 3-4 with a homer, five RBI and two runs for the Woodchucks.Â
Brady Counsell, So., INF (Lakeshore Chinooks) – Counsell was the only Gopher to start in all 52 games last season. He slashed .248/.371/.316 with 52 hits, four home runs and 27 RBI. Last summer with the Kenosha Kingfish, he hit .293 with four home runs and a team-best 37 RBI in 55 games. Through 26 games this summer, Counsell has collected 26 hits, 13 RBI and scored 20 runs for the Chinooks. His 17 stolen bases so far leads the team.
Jared Everson, So., 1B (Lakeshore Chinooks) – After taking a redshirt year in 2023 for the Gophers, Everson has appeared in 29 games for the Chinooks this summer. In his 88 at bats, he has 19 hits, including three doubles, seven runs and 11 RBI.Â
Easton Fritcher, Fr., OF (Mankato Moondogs) – Fritcher appeared in 10 games during his freshman campaign, hitting .200/.200/.290. Last summer, he played 13 games for the Mankato Moondogs, hitting .327 with four RBI. In his return with the Moondogs this summer, he has collected 11 hits in 23 games and scored eight runs.
Joe Hauser, R-So., INF/RHP (Mankato Moondogs) – Hauser made five appearances on the mound and played in eight games as a position player for the Gophers in 2023 before his season was cut short due to injury. In his return to the diamond this summer, he has slashed .244/.367/.427 with three homers and 17 RBI through 24 games.
Tyler Hemmesch, Incoming Fr., RHP (St. Cloud Rox) – A Sartell, Minn. native, Hemmesch is ranked as the No. 3 right-handed pitcher in the state by Perfect game and No. 4 player overall. After a stellar senior season in 2023, Hemmesch was named a Mr. Baseball Minnesota Finalist. This summer with the Rox, he has made four appearances on the mound, striking out 14 hitters. He has allowed five runs on five hits in 10 innings.Â
Kris Hokenson, Fr., OF/LHP (Willmar Stingers) – In 2023, Hokenson played in 50 games for the Maroon and Gold, slashing .239/.358/.421 as a true freshman. He made five appearances on the mound in his first season, collecting two strikeouts in 8.0 innings. Last summer, Hokenson played 19 games for the Minnesota Mud Puppies, hitting .238 with four RBI and 10 runs scored. This summer, in 27 games with the Willmar Stingers, he is leading the team with 29 walks. He has collected 17 hits, including three triples and a double, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored.
Brady Jurgella, Jr., OF (Wausau Woodchucks) – Jurgella appeared in 30 games during his junior season for the Gophers. He had 17 hits, nine RBI and 12 runs scored while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. In the summer of 2022, he played in 38 games for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, scoring 30 runs on 30 hits and 26 walks. Through 29 games this summer, Jurgella is batting .277 with 31 hits, 13 RBI and 24 runs scored for the Woodchucks.
Sam Malec, So., RHP (Willmar Stingers) – Malec made seven appearances for the Gophers in 2023, pitching 27.2 innings with 14 strikeouts and 10 walks. Last summer, Malec made 10 appearances for the Stingers, striking out 42 hitters in 51 innings en route to being named a Northwoods League All-Star. This summer, Malec has made three appearances in his return to Willmar. He has posted a 2.89 ERA in 9.1 innings with nine strikeouts.
Ike Mezzenga, R-So., INF (St. Cloud Rox) – Mezzenga made 50 starts for the Gophers in 2023. He totaled 49 hits, including 13 doubles and four home runs, 30 RBI and 31 runs scored. In 13 games last summer with St. Cloud, Mezzenga slashed .361/.429/.557 with two home runs and 19 RBI. This summer, in his second season with the Rox, he has totaled 21 hits, 27 walks, 14 RBI and 14 runs scored in 25 games.Â
Weber Neels, Fr., C/INF (St. Cloud Rox) – Neels had a strong freshman campaign for the 'U' in 2023, leading all true freshmen in every major hitting category. He slashed .274/.452/.372 with seven home runs. In the summer prior to Minnesota, he played ball for the Utah Marshalls, batting .415 with 50 hits and 43 RBI. This summer, Neels has played 15 games for the Rox, collecting 18 hits, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored.Â
Will Whelan, Incoming Fr., LHP (Willmar Stingers) – A native of Centennial, Minn., Whelan is coming off of a senior season in which he was named a finalist for Mr. Baseball Minnesota and East Metro Player of the Year. He is ranked as the No. 1 left-handed pitcher in the state and No. 6 player overall according to Perfect Game. This summer, Whelan has appeared in five games for the Stingers, pitching 9.0 innings with 14 strikeouts.
Connor Wietgrefe, So., LHP (St. Cloud Rox) – In 22 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023 for the Gophers, Wietgrefe struck out a bullpen-best 58 hitters. He allowed only 19 earned runs in 44.2 innings pitched while walking just 19 batters. He has appeared in two games this summer for the Rox, pitching five innings. He has struck out 10 batters and has not allowed an earned run.
The majority of the Gophers can be found in the Northwoods League (13) as is typical. Other leagues in which the 'U' has been represented include: Appalachian (1), Coastal Plains (1) and Cape Cod (2). Check out the mid-summer update to see how our guys have been playing.
Appalachian League (1)
Tristan Ellis, Fr., INF (Greenville Flyboys) – Ellis spent the 2023 season with the Gophers focusing on his development. Prior to Minnesota, he was ranked by Prep Baseball Report as the No. 1 middle infielder in Wisconsin. In his first collegiate summer ball season, he has played 17 games, collecting 11 hits and seven walks, and has scored seven runs for the Flyboys.Â
Cape Cod League (2)
Brett Bateman, Jr., OF (Cotuit Kettleers) – Bateman started 48 out the 50 games he played for the Gophers in 2023. The junior slashed .354/.407/.450 with 67 hits, 29 runs scored and 12 RBI. Last summer he played for the Willmar Stingers where he hit .330 with 17 RBI, 42 runs scored and 61 hits. This summer, Bateman played 13 games with Cotuit. At the time of his pre-determined release, he was leading the Cape Cod League in batting average (.500), hits (23) and on-base percentage (.519). Bateman was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 8th round of the MLB Draft on July 10.
Tucker Novotny, So., LHP (Cotuit Kettleers) – As the Friday starter in 2023, Novotny made 14 appearances, striking out a team-high 80 batters. He pitched 73.1 innings while allowing 41 earned runs and 39 walks. Last summer, he pitched for the Willmar Stingers, making a team-high 13 appearances with 56 strikeouts. With the Kettleers this summer, Novotny made three appearances before reaching his innings limit. He struck out 14 hitters with five walks in 11 innings pitched.
Brady Counsell and Sam Malec each appeared in one game in the Cape Cod League this summer. Counsell went 1-1 in his appearance with the Cotuit Kettlleers. Malec pitched 1.2 innings for the Wareham Gatemen.
Coastal Plains League (1)
Jake Larson, So., INF (Macon Bacon) – In 32 games for the Gophers in 2023, Larson tallied 18 hits, including five doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Last summer, he played for Macon batting .264 with a home run and eight RBI. In his return with the Bacon this summer, Larson has played in 16 games, collecting 13 hits and five walks. He added seven RBI and scored eight runs in his 56 at-bats for the summer.
Northwoods League (13)
Drew Berkland, Fr., OF/C (Wausau Woodchucks) – In his true freshman season for the Gophers, Berkland played in 23 games, totaling six hits and two RBI. In his first collegiate summer ball league, he has maintained a .295 batting average in 112 at bats. Berkland has collected 33 hits, including four home runs, 23 RBI and 24 runs scored. He was named Northwoods League Player of the Night on June 21 after going 3-4 with a homer, five RBI and two runs for the Woodchucks.Â
Brady Counsell, So., INF (Lakeshore Chinooks) – Counsell was the only Gopher to start in all 52 games last season. He slashed .248/.371/.316 with 52 hits, four home runs and 27 RBI. Last summer with the Kenosha Kingfish, he hit .293 with four home runs and a team-best 37 RBI in 55 games. Through 26 games this summer, Counsell has collected 26 hits, 13 RBI and scored 20 runs for the Chinooks. His 17 stolen bases so far leads the team.
Jared Everson, So., 1B (Lakeshore Chinooks) – After taking a redshirt year in 2023 for the Gophers, Everson has appeared in 29 games for the Chinooks this summer. In his 88 at bats, he has 19 hits, including three doubles, seven runs and 11 RBI.Â
Easton Fritcher, Fr., OF (Mankato Moondogs) – Fritcher appeared in 10 games during his freshman campaign, hitting .200/.200/.290. Last summer, he played 13 games for the Mankato Moondogs, hitting .327 with four RBI. In his return with the Moondogs this summer, he has collected 11 hits in 23 games and scored eight runs.
Joe Hauser, R-So., INF/RHP (Mankato Moondogs) – Hauser made five appearances on the mound and played in eight games as a position player for the Gophers in 2023 before his season was cut short due to injury. In his return to the diamond this summer, he has slashed .244/.367/.427 with three homers and 17 RBI through 24 games.
Tyler Hemmesch, Incoming Fr., RHP (St. Cloud Rox) – A Sartell, Minn. native, Hemmesch is ranked as the No. 3 right-handed pitcher in the state by Perfect game and No. 4 player overall. After a stellar senior season in 2023, Hemmesch was named a Mr. Baseball Minnesota Finalist. This summer with the Rox, he has made four appearances on the mound, striking out 14 hitters. He has allowed five runs on five hits in 10 innings.Â
Kris Hokenson, Fr., OF/LHP (Willmar Stingers) – In 2023, Hokenson played in 50 games for the Maroon and Gold, slashing .239/.358/.421 as a true freshman. He made five appearances on the mound in his first season, collecting two strikeouts in 8.0 innings. Last summer, Hokenson played 19 games for the Minnesota Mud Puppies, hitting .238 with four RBI and 10 runs scored. This summer, in 27 games with the Willmar Stingers, he is leading the team with 29 walks. He has collected 17 hits, including three triples and a double, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored.
Brady Jurgella, Jr., OF (Wausau Woodchucks) – Jurgella appeared in 30 games during his junior season for the Gophers. He had 17 hits, nine RBI and 12 runs scored while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. In the summer of 2022, he played in 38 games for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, scoring 30 runs on 30 hits and 26 walks. Through 29 games this summer, Jurgella is batting .277 with 31 hits, 13 RBI and 24 runs scored for the Woodchucks.
Sam Malec, So., RHP (Willmar Stingers) – Malec made seven appearances for the Gophers in 2023, pitching 27.2 innings with 14 strikeouts and 10 walks. Last summer, Malec made 10 appearances for the Stingers, striking out 42 hitters in 51 innings en route to being named a Northwoods League All-Star. This summer, Malec has made three appearances in his return to Willmar. He has posted a 2.89 ERA in 9.1 innings with nine strikeouts.
Ike Mezzenga, R-So., INF (St. Cloud Rox) – Mezzenga made 50 starts for the Gophers in 2023. He totaled 49 hits, including 13 doubles and four home runs, 30 RBI and 31 runs scored. In 13 games last summer with St. Cloud, Mezzenga slashed .361/.429/.557 with two home runs and 19 RBI. This summer, in his second season with the Rox, he has totaled 21 hits, 27 walks, 14 RBI and 14 runs scored in 25 games.Â
Weber Neels, Fr., C/INF (St. Cloud Rox) – Neels had a strong freshman campaign for the 'U' in 2023, leading all true freshmen in every major hitting category. He slashed .274/.452/.372 with seven home runs. In the summer prior to Minnesota, he played ball for the Utah Marshalls, batting .415 with 50 hits and 43 RBI. This summer, Neels has played 15 games for the Rox, collecting 18 hits, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored.Â
Will Whelan, Incoming Fr., LHP (Willmar Stingers) – A native of Centennial, Minn., Whelan is coming off of a senior season in which he was named a finalist for Mr. Baseball Minnesota and East Metro Player of the Year. He is ranked as the No. 1 left-handed pitcher in the state and No. 6 player overall according to Perfect Game. This summer, Whelan has appeared in five games for the Stingers, pitching 9.0 innings with 14 strikeouts.
Connor Wietgrefe, So., LHP (St. Cloud Rox) – In 22 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023 for the Gophers, Wietgrefe struck out a bullpen-best 58 hitters. He allowed only 19 earned runs in 44.2 innings pitched while walking just 19 batters. He has appeared in two games this summer for the Rox, pitching five innings. He has struck out 10 batters and has not allowed an earned run.
First Practice of Fall
Thursday, September 18
Weber Neels Highlights
Wednesday, May 28
Gophers (11) - Michigan State (5) Highlights
Friday, May 16
Gophers (4) - Michigan State (3) Highlights
Thursday, May 15