2025 local high school baseball teams at a glance (2025)

ROCHESTER — High school baseball season is underway.

Rochester's five city schools, Century, John Marshall, Lourdes, Mayo and Schaeffer Academy, are suiting up for another year on the ballfield and are ready to start competing.

Head coach: Todd Stellmaker (6th season, 39-51 record).

Last season: The Panthers finished 10-14 overall and 7-9 in Big Nine play. They lost to New Prague in the first round (double elimination) of the Section 1, Class 4A tournament.

Top returners: Mike Ruff (Sr., P/OF, All-Conference, All-Section, 5-2 with a 1.59 ERA last season, Winona State commit); Owen Kelly (Sr., OF/P, hit .321 last season, Bethel University-St. Paul commit); Aiden Neshem (Sr.).

Season outlook: After graduating its top three hitters last season, including All-State and current RCTC player Jerry Fletcher, Century will have to rely on its returning upperclassmen to take the reins. Senior pitcher Mike Ruff, a Winona State commit, is the top returner for the Panthers, head coach Todd Stellmaker said. Senior Aiden Neshem missed all of last season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, but Stellmaker said, “He has looked really strong on the mound and should be a great addition to the pitching staff.” As for four-year starter senior Owen Kelly, Stellmaker describes him as the team’s “anchor in the outfield.” Kelly will play D-III baseball for Bethel University near St. Paul.

Coach Todd Stellmaker says: “We lost a few really key pieces in important positions, but we have some good returning players that should be able to lead us to a successful season. … We're going to have to rely on our pitching and defense this season and win some low-scoring games. I believe we have the pitching to do it and we have the players who can step in and provide the defense we need behind our pitchers.”

Head coach: Tyler Zemla (4th season, 17-50 record).

Last season: The Rockets finished 5-17 overall and 4-12 in Big Nine play. They lost to Farmington in the first round (double elimination) of the Section 1, Class 4A tournament.

Top returners: Nolan Wayne (Sr., SS, 2023 All-Conference/All-Section); Dylan Endle (Jr., 1B/P, 2024 All-Conference, All-Section); Gavin Konz (Sr., 3B/P); Mason Konz (Sr., 2B/RF/P); Alex Brankley (Sr., P); Mark Muenkel (Sr., CF/P).

Season outlook: Head coach Tyler Zelma expects JM’s returners to make an impact, including senior shortstop Nolan Wayne, a fourth-year varsity starter who led in plate appearances and OBP (.411) last season. Junior Dylan Endle led the team in hits, doubles, slugging percentage (.409) and runs scored (12) with a .303 batting average. Senior Gavin Konz is in his third year starting on varsity and had 15 ⅔ IP (all in relief) last season with 3.57 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Senior Mason Konz is a second-year starter who led JM in innings pitched, wins and strikeouts in 2024. Senior Alex Brankley compiled two wins with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Senior Mark Muenkel, a third-year starter, returns to the Rockets after a season-ending injury last year. He recorded six hits and a .375 batting average from the leadoff spot in the first five games in 2024.

“The strength of our team on the field will be our pitching with a handful of reliable starting pitchers as well as other bullpen pieces to round it off,” Zelma said. “The key to a successful season will be playing good defense behind our pitching and getting runs on the board to ultimately take pressure off our pitchers.”

Coach Tyler Zemla says: “Our expectations for the year are to compete every night on the field and be playing our best baseball by the time playoffs come around. This will be the most experienced team we've had in the four years I've been coaching. We'll have strong leadership by a core group of seniors who have been varsity starters for two-plus years already coming into the season.”

Head coach: David Jenson (6th season, 54-37 record).

Last season: The Eagles finished 7-17 overall and 4-8 in Hiawatha Valley League play. They lost to Zumbrota-Mazeppa in the second round (double elimination) of the Section 1, Class 2A tournament.

Top returners: Nick Bowron (Sr., C/P/1B, Creighton University baseball commit); Jack Roe (Sr., SS/P, Dakota County Technical College baseball commit); Jack McCabe (Sr., P/3B, Augsburg University baseball commit); Nolan Rolih (Jr., OF/P); Easton Gasner (Jr., OF/P); Brayden Kottschade (Jr., P/1B).

Season outlook: Lourdes graduated six letterwinners last season, including three-year-starter Isaac Wenszell, who plays baseball at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa. The Eagles have 14 letterwinners returning to the roster. Junior Brayden Kottschade will be their starting pitcher. Sophomore Owen Streefland, who will compete for a starting spot, had a “great (VFW Baseball League Minnesota) season last summer,” coach Dave Jenson said. Junior infielder/pitcher Teddy Torborg and sophomore catcher/infielder Elliott Schell will be competing for starting spots to fill out the lineup as well.

Coach Dave Jenson says: “We learned a lot last season with several games where we lost the lead late, so we are looking forward to playing more consistently throughout the whole game every time. Section 1-2A is very deep, with tremendous talent on the mound in D-I commits: Hudson Ohm at Zumbrota and Brandon Week at Pine Island. There are also several deep teams with section runner-up Cannon Falls returning most of their lineup and always tough squads in Caledonia and La Crescent-Hokah. Our goal is to be playing our best baseball at the end of May and earn the opportunity to be playing in June.”

Head coach: Tom Senne (9th season).

Last season: The Spartans finished 19-6 overall and 13-3 in Big Nine play. They lost to New Prague in the Section 1, Class 4A finals.

Top returners: Isaac Peterson (Jr., CF/PO, All-Big Nine Honorable Mention, All-Section); Mikey Johnson (Sr., 3B/C, All-Big Nine); Wyatt Anderson (Sr., SS/2B); Jack Ryan (Sr., C/2B); Max Thorson (Sr., RHP, Dakota County Technical College baseball commit).

Season outlook: The Spartans had the most success of any Rochester team in the postseason (2-2) last year, making it to the Section 1-4A finals and falling to New Prague 2-1 in eight innings. They look to continue their achievements with nearly 20 upperclassmen leading the charge.

Coach Tom Senne says: “We are optimistic with the level of talent and athleticism we have on our team this year. We have a lot of new faces this season, but they have had a lot of success over the last two seasons in our spring and summer programs. We have 19 seniors and juniors on our roster and believe they bring plenty of depth all over the field.”

Head coach: Justin Osborne (2nd season).

Last season: The Lions finished 0-13 overall.

Top returners: Henry Osborne (Fr., 6-3, P/C/3B); Grady Boldt (Fr., 6-1, P/LF); Payton Gora (8th grade, 5-8, P/C/SS).

Season outlook: The Lions are still feeling some effects of not fielding a team two seasons ago, but second-year head coach Justin Osborne is optimistic about his young team. Last season was trying for Schaeffer Academy, but the team is working to build on fundamentals and continue to improve.

Coach Justin Osborne says: “We are a very young team again this year, with 80% of our team in eighth or ninth grade. Our focus for now is player development and gaining experience so that we will be competitive in the coming years. Two years ago, Schaeffer did not have a baseball program, and now we have 35 kids, over three teams, so the future is bright.”