Personal news!🚨
Excited to announce that I will be joining
@UWBadgers
and
@BadgerTrackXC
as a member of their Brand Communications team this fall! 🦡
It’s been a long time in the making.😅
More content 🔜
People at LakePoint probably saw me with a scorebook or 🧀-head, representing the state of Wisconsin, with pride of course.
Shoutouts to all of the players, parents, and the
@PBRWisconsin
staff who made the trek to Georgia. The future is bright!
#PBRFG23
As I woke up this morning, I was missing something: WIAA Baseball.
First full season on the content for
@PBRWisconsin
, and it was, unsurprisingly, awesome.
Game Coverage, Daily Roundups, the Power 25, Durst Deep Dives: They will be missed. 🥲
Thanks for following along! ✌️
The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected SS Eddie Rynders (Wisconsin Lutheran, 2024; Kent State signee) with the 112th pick in the
#MLBDraft
.
Rynders is the No. 2 prospect in Wisconsin’s 2024 class, as the
#Super60
participant emerged as one of the top infielders in the Midwest.🔥
First
#PBRFG22
complete ✅ Such an awesome experience with
@PBRWisconsin
@PBRIllinois
! So many great baseball prospects and people at one complex. By far my favorite event of the year!
Excited to announce that I’ll be taking over the Sports Editor role for the
@BadgerHerald
&
@BHeraldSports
in the Fall of 2023!
Couldn’t have asked for a better experience in Year 1️⃣. Can’t wait to be a part of the legacy of quality sports journalists to come out of the BH! 😃
Been working on a little project over the last couple of days. Here’s my Journalism Portfolio, filled with some of the work I’ve done over the past few years. It will continue to update as I continue to write. Please check it out!
The 2024 WIAA content was a grind, to say the least. It wound up being pretty rewarding though, especially these last few days in Appleton!
Not sure if our coverage at
@PrepBaseballWI
could have been more comprehensive.🔥
Thanks to everyone who followed along and supported!✌️
Life Update: doing cool things again. Here at University Ridge Golf Course this morning for the
#NuttycombeInvite
, working for
@BHeraldSports
, with some of the best runners in the nation. Live updates to follow as the races begin at 11 am!
This team is special, not much else to it:
First conf. 🏆 since 1990. Went from being picked 8th in the NSC to Regional Champs. Hard work pays off, and there’s not a group more deserving of that success.
Shoutouts to all of those players,
@RESP3CTtheGAME
, &
@catchfinn22
! 👏
Year 23! One of the first opening days where I won’t be spending my day playing or hanging in the dugout with dad and
@RESP3CTtheGAME
Best of luck today
@GraftonHIHawks
! Excited to see the hard off-season work pay off!
It’s past 10:00 PM on a Thursday night and I’ve found myself over-analyzing the 2024 WIAA Baseball Regional and Sectional assignments.
Sure, the season is 7 months away, but it’s never too early to start thinking about it, right? 😅
Today, we previewed the IHSA Class 1A State Tournament, which begins Friday morning. Three of the final four teams in the 1A pool are attending their first-ever state tourney, while Marquette is back for the third time since 2018.
𝟷𝙰 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 🔍
It’s 12:48 a.m. right now. Seems like the perfect time to be writing/preparing/brainstorming WIAA Baseball content.
Why?
Because we’re only 1️⃣1️⃣ days away, everyone.
Content 🫡 > Sleep
#countdown
A fan asked me tonight: “Why did you get into this line of work?”
Well, the answer is summarized below. The State Tournament has delivered on so many levels, and 6️⃣-game Wednesday did not disappoint.
The content never rests, follow along for the title games tomorrow. LETS GO‼️
RHP Nathan Vela (2023;
@WinonaStateBase
commit) ends this electric matchup with his 10th strikeout of the evening, advancing
@HVille_Baseball
to the title game for the first time since 1998.
FINAL: Hortonville 4️⃣ | Franklin 1️⃣
Radio debut? Radio DEBUT‼️
So pumped, mixing it up a little this afternoon.
#Badgers
look to take a game in this three-game stint against the Cornhuskers in a Sunday matinee.
Tune in! 📻 ⬇️
🔥 DURST DEEP DIVE - STATE 🔥
The final video of the spring 😔. Thank you to everyone who supported it along the way, had so much fun with this project. Excited to see everyone in Appleton! 😃
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
I mean this is pretty big-time. The
#Sooners
, winners of three straight National Championships dating back to 2021, add to their deep arsenal with the pickup of Monticelli.
Finished 2023 on a 53-game winning streak with a 61-1 record, and just got better. ⬇️
@BHeraldSports
Talked a lot about the teams from the Classic 8, and they’re about to go full swing into a tough conference slate beginning this week.
@LasersBaseball
&
@BaseballMuskego
battle twice, starting today.
Power 25 matchup and more insight, below. ⭐️⬇️
𝐖𝐈𝐀𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟒 🎙️
Our staff breaks down the action from the Prep Baseball Wisconsin HS Invitational from this past weekend, along with hearing from
@CalebBounds36
.
📺:
🟢:
Brolan Frost threw 43 pitches (31 strikes) in that time, drawing weak contact and frustrating his opponents on a pretty consistent basis.
Quality stuff, per usual, from the southpaw. ⬇️
The Badger State Battle ✅
The five-day marathon is complete, and it was a grind for sure, but always fun.
Saw multiple under-the-radar prospects from Wisconsin and parts of the Midwest who got to shine on the big stage this weekend.
The 2023 Summer Circuit continues 🔜
Interning with
@PBRWisconsin
@prepbaseball
has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. So many quality experiences and new connections, and it hasn’t even been a year. Highly recommend for anyone passionate about the game!
Interested in interning with Prep Baseball Report?
We offer several different internship programs, such as scout aprenticeships, social media and marketing, operations, and more.
More info & how to apply. 👇
🔗:
🔥 WEEK 9 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
The WIAA playoffs begin on Thursday, as we enter the final week of regular season games in the 2023 campaign. Here are some of the games to follow, featuring special guest
@JLevering4
!
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
Quick turnaround from Georgia, but couldn’t be more excited for these next two days.
Couple of high-follow, uncommitted arms are making their way to The Rock 🔜👀
📸⬇️
𝐖𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬: 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 💫
Check out all of the information you need to know for tomorrow’s first-ever Wisconsin State Games at The Rock.👇
🖇️:
𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
The Durst Deep Dive didn’t vanish.
It evolved.
@dgo151
, the
@PrepBaseballWI
staff and myself are pumped to release our first ever WIAA Podcast episode on this cold, snowy day. Stay tuned for a new episode each week!
The Content: 📈
𝐖𝐈𝐀𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟏 🎙️
Introducing the first edition of our WIAA Podcast, where we recap the first week of action in the Badger State, including appearances from
@ttgotzler
and others. 👇
YouTube:
Spotify:
Maddox’s version of “tell me you’re in sports media without telling me you’re in sports media”:
I skipped two classes to cover the best regular season XC meet of the year. 😅
Nuttycombe. Sub-optimal conditions — All-American runners. LFG.
@BadgerHerald
|
#NuttyInvite
Over 50 prospects are making their way to Wildwood Baseball Park on Monday, some of which are highlighted within our preview story.🔥
📸 of some of the names mentioned 👀
𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐃: 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 💫
Our staff heads back to Sheboygan on Monday to cap off the summer showcase circuit.
Take a look at the event’s details, players to follow and more within our piece, below.👇
🖇️:
A new experiment entering the
@PBRWisconsin
showcase circuit: The
@GoPro
.
Got to run around on a baseball field today and below is some of the footage we got. ⬇️
To be seen at
#TPMKE
tomorrow, the
#PBRFG23
, and more.
Got my first look at the multi-sport star this past weekend, and he does so many little things that make him great on both sides of the field.
Coming off two straight seasons for
@medraidersbase
where he constantly produced, and now a successful summer with
@Blast16ubase
. ⬇️
INF Andrew Sroka (Marian Catholic, 2010) with a strong showing in BP today. 💪
Active, handsy swing with feel for the barrel & line drive feel; worked back up the middle & repeats 💥⚡️
Savvy on the infield, sure-handed. ✅
Maturity was the one thing that stood out for me with Bryant, on both sides of the ball.
A sophomore unafraid of the big moment, as he singled against a high-velocity arm in the final inning to give his team a chance.
Excited to see how he advances in his prep career ⬇️
SS/RHP Eli Bryant (
@BDBaseball123
, 2025;
@PBR_Uncommitted
) had nearly half of his team’s hits today, going 4-for-4.
Strong, athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, was consistently on the barrel.
A great weekend all-around in Oshkosh, celebrating an elite senior class that’s officially graduating from Wisconsin prep baseball.
Appreciate the
@BaseballWis
for having me out! 😃
⭐️ 𝐖𝐁𝐂𝐀 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 ⭐️
Our coverage of the
@BaseballWis
’ 40th annual All-Star Classic has come to a conclusion. ✅
With its finish, we officially put a bow on the WIAA coverage for 2024. Until next year!✌️
📍Eau Claire
It’s a long trek, but it’s truly rewarding to recognize these small towns from write-ups and prospects. Most take ⚾️ seriously, like hanging up “State Champs” signs as you’re entering town.
@PBRWisconsin
emphasizes those stars tomorrow at Carson Park. Fired up!
Another story coming at you this morning. A look at the illustrious career of
@katie_keller_9
and what she brings to the table as a newcomer to the Badgers Softball team.
First byline as Sports Editor for the 2023-24 school year. ✅
Catch up on the fall sports programs at
@UWBadgers
; they’re already generating a multitude of preseason excitement.
Also, follow along with the
@BadgerHerald
. Great writers producing quality content on the daily. ⬇️
So happy to see some recognition for Bob and Don with their dedication to Grafton Athletics. Two of my absolute favorite people!
So kind and genuine, made playing at 9th Ave in front of them so special for me. Can’t wait to see them again in the spring!
🔥 DURST DEEP DIVE - SECTIONALS 🔥
20 teams will punch their ticket to Appleton on Tuesday, as we wrap up the road to the State Tournament with Sectionals. Check it out!
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
PBR Maddox is back after a little Fall hiatus. This 2026 class is already making national noise, cannot wait to follow them throughout their prep careers ⬇️⬇️
𝐓𝐨𝐩-𝟏𝟎 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 📰🌟
No. 🔟: "Three Wisconsin '26s debut on the national top-250, the most ever for a freshmen group"
Read up on the three at the start of what's becoming a historic class.
𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 🔗
🔥 WEEK 7 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
More WIAA action coming at you this week, as we enter the second half of the season. Here are some of the top games of the week highlighted below.
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
SIX STRAIGHT! The UW men dominate the field, highlighted by a Bob Liking first place finish — his third in as many years.
Doesn’t get much better than that. 19 team points. Six runners in the top-10 for another Big Ten Championship.
@BadgerHerald
|
#B1GXC
CJ Christianson took an initiative to challenge his players this year after falling short in 2023, and they responded when it counted. What a team.
Paid off in the best way 💫
Eleva-Strum wins its first-ever State Championship this morning, as RHP Tyler Webb (2024;
@UWECBaseball
commit) throws all five innings and limits the Green Eagles to just one run.🔥
FINAL/5: Eleva-Strum 1️⃣1️⃣ | NSS 1️⃣
Finished 5-for-8 with two doubles and two home runs in the doubleheader, tallying a combined four RBIs.
Hit that second home run in game two on a hanging curveball, some really explosive tools.
@Hud_BaseballWI
has a special one. ⬇️
OF/C Logan Hagman (2027) wastes no time in this one, launching a home run out to left field to give the Raiders an early lead.
Entered the day hitting .404 with a 1.089 OPS.
After one inning of play:
@Hud_BaseballWI
1️⃣ | Watertown 0️⃣
We've wrapped up our
#WIPower25
preseason coverage; check out the link below to view our top-25 homepage. Follow along for in-season news and notes across Wisconsin all spring.
𝙿𝙾𝚆𝙴𝚁 𝟸𝟻 🔗
🔥 WEEK 4 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
Undefeated records on the line this week, highlighted by the PBR Wisconsin High School Invitational on Friday and Saturday!
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
A great day for
@BadgerTrackXC
.
Both teams qualify for the NCAA Championships in Virginia next week behind second place team finishes, and standout individual runners.
Signing off from my in-person XC coverage for 2023. Thank you for following along! 🫡
@BadgerHerald
🔥 WEEK 5 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
In the final week of April, the slate features multiple high-octane matchups, most of which are highlighted below. Should be exciting!
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
|
Had the privilege of watching his program perform on the biggest stage in Appleton in back-to-back years. Always had his team prepared to battle.
So amazing to watch a small town from NE Wisconsin embrace his leadership year after year — an absolute legend. 👏
BREAKING NEWS
Bill Miller 📸 is stepping down after 32 seasons as Denmark Vikings Baseball Head Coach.
His accomplishments:
•Career Record 516-225
•5 State App.
•3 State Titles
•11 Conf. Titles
•WBCA HOF
•89-6 in last 3 seasons (2021-23)
•WIAA D2
#1
ranked multiple times
Crafted a feature story on NIL at UW and around the nation — it’s evolution and where it stands today.
Some research and great conversations led me down an interesting path. Check it out!
@JoshFrieser
|
@FrieserLegal
|
@BadgerHerald
Stein put up some ridiculous numbers for
@oldabebaseball
this past spring, hitting .500 with a 1.405 OPS in Big Rivers Conference play; led both categories in a loaded group of prospects.
Continues to impress with
@BlizzardBasebal
, batting .350 this summer.
Uncommitted ‘24 ⬇️
1B Sawyer Stein (Eau Claire Memorial, 2024;
@PBRWisconsin
) triples here in a win for
@BlizzardBasebal
to cap off the night.
Physical 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame.
Drove in two runs, continuing to stay hot over the summer after a stellar spring.
#PBRatTheRock
|
@PBR_Uncommitted
Monticelli enters the portal after appearing in 21 games for the Badgers this past spring.
The former
@CHS_Fastpitch
star struck out a team-high 82 batters in 80 IP in her first year.
An electric/entertaining arm. Wish her nothing but the best in the future!
@BHeraldSports
A big-time barrel from C Emmy Wells—the Northern Iowa transfer and 2022 MVC POTY—gives the
#Badgers
an early 3-0 advantage against the ‘Cats in the first.
🎥⬇️ |
@BadgerHerald
It’s been a year since I’ve watched Mantei, and the to-be sophomore continues to make strides in all facets of his game.
Wrote him up a couple times in the Daily Roundup for
@BEastBsbl
this spring, where he got a few chances at the catcher position as a freshman in the GMC. ⬇️
C Carter Mantei (Brookfield East, 2026;
@PBRWisconsin
) has presented quality bat-to-ball skills all weekend, and tallied three hits in three at bats for
@brewstateba
this afternoon.
Athletic frame behind the dish at 6-foot-0, 160 pounds.
#PBRatTheRock
Sweep? ✅
20 wins? ✅
@BadgerSoftball
has something special brewing in Madtown, big week of games at Goodman coming up here. Highly recommend getting out to watch this group.
Weekend summary: ⬇️
Alicea was the ultimate difference-maker; made such a large impact on STM’s program in three years of varsity baseball.
Had the privilege of watching him play multiple times in the spring, and it’s pure entertainment every time he takes the field. ⬇️
𝙋𝘽𝙍 𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧 ✨
Senior Alex Alicea is the state's POTY, amassing 57 steals in 57 attempts this spring, all while playing one of the best shortstops in the Midwest in a true switch-hit profile.
𝚂𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚈 🏆
Pictured: Two moods as we enter finals week here at UW-Madison. ⬇️
That doesn’t stop the content though, new video drops tomorrow morning.
@PBRWisconsin
Week 7 🔜
My work in Florida wrapped up today at the
@ClearwaterInv
.
One of the best environments I’ve been a part of—emphasizing how back college spring sports are.
What a great experience. More content rolling out 🔜 ‼️
Badgers extended their winning streak to 8 games this past weekend with 4 excellent performances in the Hoosier State.
Also a big shoutout to
@YvetteHealy
on her 500th career win! Check out the weekend recap below ⬇️
@BHeraldSports
The Indians return six batters who hit over .300 in 2023.
Their veteran arms were a combined 19-2 on the mound last year, and got even better over the offseason.
@MosineeBaseball
: True contenders in the D2 field. ⬇️
#𝐖𝐈𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝟐𝟓: 𝐍𝐨. 𝟏𝟓 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞 🟣
Mosinee has an abundance of talent to work with in 2024, as there are a number of veteran upperclassmen set to lead the way.
𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 🔗:
No one in the Badger State traveled to watch teams and prospects more than Isaiah over the past three months, and I hope everyone recognizes that hard work and dedication.
Glidds 👑
Well that was a long week but it was worth it. Got to see some ultra-talented teams put it all on the line and compete for a State Title.
Until next year WIAA‼️
Just kind of catching up on everything here…😅
What a day. Sectional Tuesday always delivers, and did not disappoint in 2024. Follow along with
@PrepBaseballWI
all week for further coverage! 🔥
Some more 📸 from the day. ⬇️
Week two‼️
Despite being dampened by weather for most of it, the WIAA delivered with some intriguing results to marquee games.
Make sure to check it out! ⬇️
𝐖𝐈𝐀𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭: 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟐 🎙️
Our staff breaks down some major upsets, standout offensive performances and more in this week's episode, including an appearance from
@CJChristianson2
.
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗧𝘂𝗯𝗲:
𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆:
Love what
@thekimberlybase
is bringing to the table in 2024.
A roster full of upperclassmen with some elite talent to offer. True competitors on the diamond.
Check out the Papermakers, below. ⬇️
#𝐖𝐈𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝟐𝟓: 𝐍𝐨. 𝟔 𝐊𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 📰
The Papermakers return some of the top arms in the state that led them to an impressive 23-5 record last season, in addition to multiple upperclassmen bats.
𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 🔗:
Got to cover some action from University Ridge this past weekend, where the UW women’s golf team placed second amongst a quality field of competition.
Catch up on the story below. ⬇️
@BadgerHerald
|
@BadgerWGolf
|
@ToddOehrlein
🔥 WEEK 3 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
A full slate of action heading into this week. Here are nine games to follow as we begin Week 3 of the WIAA season!
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
🎥:
🔥 WEEK 8 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
Another week, another intense slate of games in the WIAA. Power 25 matchups throughout, should be a fun week as we enter the middle of May. ⬇️
|
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
|
I’m already excited for these next couple of weeks, and all this talk did was fire me up even more!
So many contenders and dark horses, the WIAA is always full of surprises come this time of the year.
Playoff ⚾️🔜
Late last night we got a chance to talk to Maddox Durst (
@MaddoxDurst
) from PBR Wisconsin. We talked WIAA Baseball playoff matchups and final conference standings. Listen below!
#wisbaseball
@WIBallCentral
Spotify:
Made it to gorgeous University Ridge Golf Course this afternoon for the first day of the 2023 Badger Invitational.
The three-day tournament began earlier this morning and wraps up on Tuesday. Updates to follow.
@BadgerHerald
|
@BadgerWGolf
PUT ON YOUR GLASS SLIPPERS, WE ARE A CINDERELLA STORY!
Wisconsin becomes the first No. 11 seed to make it to the Big Ten Semi-Final, their first semi-final berth since 2019!
We'll play Michigan tomorrow at 6:30 PM CT!
🔥 WEEK 2 DURST DEEP DIVE 🔥
Multiple intriguing games across the entire state this week, some of which are highlighted below.
Check it out! |
@PBRWisconsin
@VinnyRottino
| ⬇️
Crafted a feature story on NIL at UW and around the nation — it’s evolution and where it stands today.
Some research and great conversations led me down an interesting path. Check it out!
@JoshFrieser
|
@FrieserLegal
|
@BadgerHerald
- Badgers remain in first.
- Tied for first in Big Ten road wins.
- Double-Double from Storr, 16 points from Wahl — huge FT’s late.
Greg Gard’s 100th conference win. Silent Assassin status 📈
@JonRothstein
In a mini writing stint for
@PrepBaseballCA
, if I were to travel to watch some baseball in the San Diego area, I would have to enjoy a Patrick Henry and Cathedral Catholic battle in the Western League.
Elite rivalry.🔥
Legit talent in these programs, check out the Patriots. ⤵️
2024 CIF HS TEAM PREVIEWS: Patrick Henry Patriots
Coming off a run to the CIF SDS D1 championship game
@phpatriotsbsbl
returns a talented pitching staff with depth as they look towards another successful season in '24.
🔗: