Lawrence head coach Korey Krueger also believes the Vikings have addressed some needs with this group of players. With the graduation of All-Midwest Conference catcher Jason Shanda and four-year starting center fielder Matt Smith, the Vikings have some gaps to fill for the 2003 campaign.
Here's a brief look at the incoming players.
Jeremy Bamsch, outfielder, Oregon/Oregon
Bamsch is a right-hander who played both left and right field in high school while anchoring the middle of the batting order for Oregon. Krueger likes Bamsch's strong bat and arm.
Robert "Mouse" Braun, pitcher, Maple Grove, Minn./Osseo
Braun, who is playing wide receiver for the Lawrence football team, was a two-year starter in the field and worked in middle relief for Osseo. Braun, who was his team's captain, brings another valuable left-hander to the Lawrence pitching staff.
B.J. Chase, pitcher, Tomahawk/Tomahawk
Chase should have an immediate impact for the Vikings both on the mound and in the field. A first-team All-Lumberjack Conference selection, the southpaw had a 1.2 earned run average and a .430 batting average. Named the top scholar athlete at Tomahawk, Chase also starred in football and basketball for the Hatchets. Chase, who served as team captain, earned Athlete of the Week honors twice from the Rhinelander NBC television affiliate. Chase also played for the Rhinelander Legion team and picked up three of the team's five victories.
Jacob Clark, pitcher/outfielder, Omro/Omro
Clark missed his senior baseball season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament playing basketball for Omro. The brother of former Lawrence basketball and baseball standout Lou Clark, he will fight for a spot in the outfield and on the pitching staff.
Kevin Fitzsimmons, pitcher/first baseman, La Crosse/Central
Fitzsimmons is a talented and versatile baseball player and could impact the Vikings at first base and as a starting pitcher. As La Crosse Central's No. 1 pitcher, he posted a 4-3 record. Fitzsimmons, who earned first-team All-Mississippi Valley Conference honors, batted .373 with a pair of home runs. The right-hander was also named first-team all-district and received honorable mention on the all-state team. Fitzsimmons, who played in the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Classic this summer, received academic all-state honors.
Jonathon Horne, pitcher, La Crosse/Central
Horne was a teammate of Fitzsimmons at La Crosse Central and served as both a starting pitcher and reliever. Horne, a right-hander, will battle for a spot on the pitching staff and brings an outstanding academic record to Lawrence.
Michael Jensen, third baseman, Barron/Barron
Jensen is small in stature at 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, but he played big for Barron. Jensen was an All-Heart O' North Conference selection and led the Golden Bears to the WIAA State Tournament. Jensen batted .285 on the season with a .500 on-base percentage. Also a football and wrestling standout, Jensen turned in a .972 fielding percentage at third base.
Kevin Look, pitcher/outfielder, Kenosha/Somers Shoreland Lutheran
Look, who also plays football at Lawrence, turned in an impressive senior season for Shoreland Lutheran. He had a 5-0 record as a pitcher and posted a 3.34 ERA. The right-hander struck out 31 and walked 13 in 37.2 innings pitched. Look was a first-team All-Midwest Classic Conference selection and batted .339 with 32 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.
Lou Perella, third baseman, Bristol, R.I./Mount Hope
Perella is a bit of an unknown quantity after missing most of his senior season. Perella, who was his team's captain, took a ground ball in the face during the third game of the spring and missed the remainder of the season.
Rory Quinn, catcher, Amherst/Amherst
Quinn was a three-sport standout at Amherst and gives the Vikings more catching depth. Quinn was a two-year starter behind the plate for the Falcons while excelling in football and wrestling. Quinn also plays football for Lawrence.
Kurt Ritschard, pitcher/infielder, Argyle/Argyle
Ritschard earned first-team All-Six Rivers Conference honors for Argyle after starring on the mound and in the field. The right-hander batted .478 and had a 5-3 pitching record with a 3.43 ERA. Also a basketball and football standout at Argyle, Ritschard is playing football at Lawrence. He is the brother of current Lawrence football and baseball player Paul Ritschard.
Aaron Sorenson, pitcher, Sheboygan/South
Sorenson earned All-Fox River Valley Conference honors for Sheboygan South last spring and had a solid season for the Sheboygan Legion squad this summer. During the summer campaign, Sorenson put together a 3-2 record while striking out 42 and walking seven. Sorenson also plans on playing basketball for Lawrence.
Matt Wautier, shortstop, Brussels/Southern Door
A standout three-sport athlete at Southern Door, Wautier plans on playing football and baseball at Lawrence. As a prep athlete, Wautier played quarterback, shooting guard, and shortstop. Also an outstanding student, Wautier was the valedictorian of his high school class.
Andrew Wong, shortstop, Wauwautosa/East
Wong earned first-team All-Greater Metro Conference honors while playing high school baseball this summer. Wong batted .418 with 32 runs scored, 16 doubles, three triples, and 19 stolen bases. Wong, who has the ability to hit in the lead-off spot or anchor the middle of the order, participated in the Jim Gantner Metro Milwaukee All-Star Game this summer.
Lawrence opens its season March 22 at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.