From a Slow Start to a Fast-paced Finish

Riley Schartner (#21) is greeted at home plate by the rest of the Sturgeon Bay Clippers baseball team during a regular season game. Photo by John Stevenson.

The season started slow and snowy for all Door County high school baseball teams, but heated up down the stretch for Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay. Teams around northeastern Wisconsin faced shortened seasons as the snow lingered well into April. Despite this shaky start, Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay finished the regular season with a share of the Packerland Championship (along with Oconto high school).

Sturgeon Bay head coach Matt Propsom, head coach for the past 8 years, shared concern about the shortened season. He said, “We didn’t get to play as much as we hoped to build the depth of team; we were slighted in that area. It would have been nice to have more playing time and to play other quality teams from northeastern Wisconsin. With those games, it’s an opportunity to play and see competition in the rest of the region.”

Jay Kita, Gibraltar head coach for the past nine years, said (with a grin and a chuckle) the slow start and shortened season ultimately helped them win the championship since there were fewer games to play.

Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay are familiar with the title and have been top baseball contenders in recent years; Gibraltar last won the title in 2010 and Sturgeon Bay has now earned the title for the third year in a row. This sustained success is an accomplishment for any team, and it’s a boon for Door County to have two high school teams with strong winning traditions.

When asked about a ‘most exciting game of the regular season,’ Kita was quick to name the win on May 16 over Sevastopol, 12 – 0. Matt Hecht threw a no-hitter for the first time and, to make the win more special, this game secured Gibraltar’s share of the championship.

Propsom said two games stick out, “The one with Gibraltar – we lost, but it was a really good pitching game and defeating Oconto last week [May 16]. This game allowed us to tie for the championships.”

Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay look forward to promising postseasons and each coach exuded a calm confidence about their teams. Propsom said, “I hope they can pull through with big plays and demonstrate leadership like they’ve done all season.”

It’s obvious when talking with Kita that he expects his team to keep winning, but he also shared this accolade, “This is just a really, really fun group of kids to be with. I’m very happy to call them my team – they’re just really great kids.”

Regional matchups for Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay will be determined on May 24. Games are set for May 28; Gibraltar will face either Reedsville or Kewaunee at home, while Sturgeon Bay will take on Roncalli or Southern Door at home. To stay up-to-date with tournament information visit wiaawi.org.