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Top-seeded De Pere earns first State Tournament berth since 2006

June 5, 2024
By: Josh Fields
Area Scout

Sectional Tuesday has come to a conclusion in the Badger State, as 20 teams punched their ticket to the State Tournament by winning two games yesterday. The Prep Baseball Wisconsin staff was able to head out to three separate locations, providing timely updates of each matchup.

Now, we break down some of what we saw—finishing with the Kimberly Sectional. Stay tuned with our coverage throughout the rest of the week as the WIAA playoffs come to a conclusion.

GAME ONE: NO. 1 DE PERE VS APPLETON EAST

Game one of the day saw No. 1 seeded De Pere face off against the No. 12 seed Appleton East. It was the Redbirds to score first as they put up five runs in the bottom of the first as Mason Sequin (2025), Easton Arendt (2024, Winona State) and Landon Raygo (2024, Bryant & Stratton (WI)) would all reach base loading the bases for Javin Gauthier (2024; Vaplaraiso) who would hit a line drive up the middle scoring two.

Javin Gauthier (6/4/24)

The very next batter would end up clearing the bases as Milo Upton (2024, Concordia-WI) would launch a home run to left field bringing the score to 5-0 heading into the top of the second.

The Redbirds added onto their lead in the bottom of the second after retiring the side in the top of the frame. Sequin would bunt for a hit as an error on the play would allow Sequin to advance to second while Brett Weckworth (2025) would score on the same error.

Arendt would hit a base hit to center field putting runners on the corners, Sequin would end up scoring on a wild pitch bringing the score to 7-0, Upton would drive in another run with an infield single bringing the score to 8-0 through two innings.

Axel Donaldson (2024, Madison JC) got the start for the Redbirds and tossed the first five frames allowing five baserunners throughout while striking out seven total. Donaldson was efficient with his time on the mound only needing 86 pitches to get through five shutout innings.

Axel Donaldson (6/4/24)

GAME TWO: NO. 5 KIMBERLY VS NO. 22 BAY PORT

In game two of the Kimberly sectional the No. 2 seeded Kimberly Papermakers took on the No. 3 seed Bay Port Pirates.

The starting pitchers for both teams held both offenses scoreless after each offense put runners in scoring position, with runners on first and second Brady Koester (2024, Notre Dame) would pick up his five strikeout of the outing to get out of the inning.

Ethan Plog (2024, Iowa Western JC) for Bay Port would pitch out of a bases loaded scenario picking up his fourth strikeout of the outing to keep the game scoreless.

It was the Papermakers that would score first as Connor Olson (2025) would score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third. The Pirates would answer in the top of the fourth as Carter Kallies (2024, Wisconsin-La Crosse) would steal home to tie the game at 1-1, the next batter would give the Pirates the lead as Beau Jensen (2025) would single to left field giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Bay Port would add to the lead in the top of the fifth as the first two batters walked, putting runners at first and second. Carson Hawley (2026) would steal third putting runners on the corners before scoring on a fielders choice.

The Pirates would extend their lead again in the top of the sixth as Dylan Heier (2024) would score on an error bringing the score to 4-1.

The Pirates held the Papermakers scoreless after the third inning as Plog would pick up the win pitching the first 4.2 and Austin Vandeyacht (2024) would pick up the save tossing the final 2.1.

Ethan Plog (6/4/24)

GAME THREE: NO. 1 DE PERE VS NO. 22 BAY PORT

In the sectional final it was Fox River Classic conference rivals De Pere and Bay Port facing off for the third time this season.

Bay Port would take the lead in the top of the third scoring on a wild pitch. The Pirates would push the lead to 2-0 in the top of the third as Heier would push a base hit through the infield scoring the runner from third.

Dylan Heier (6/4/24)

The Redbirds would answer in the bottom of the third as Charlie Van Rens (2024) would draw a leadoff walk before finding his way around the bases and scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Sequin. Arendt would tie up the game, launching a home run to right center field on a 3-2 count to tie the game up at two.

Easton Arendt (6/4/24)

The Redbirds would score three more in the bottom of the fourth scoring two runs on errors and Donaldson would drive in another run on a base hit to right field extending the lead to three.

The Redbirds would put up four more runs in the bottom of the sixth with a two RBI double from Raygo, an RBIs from Gauthier and Upton bringing the score to 9-2 through six innings.

The Pirates would push another run across as Jensen would single on a base hit to left field cutting into the Redbirds lead.

Raygo would toss the final three innings for the Redbirds picking up four strikeouts and allowing a run before picking up the final out, sending De Pere to state for the first time since 2006.

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