Cook County’s 2019 high school baseball team is still feeling the sting of not reaching the state championship playoffs, but a team that records 17 wins and just five losses has nothing to hang its head about.
The Vikings fell in the Section 7A quarterfinals 4-0 to Ely, who it had beaten earlier in the season.
And South Ridge, who we defeated in our only two meetings, played its best baseball of the season and is heading to the state tournament for the second consecutive year to represent Section 7A.
When asked if the 17 wins was a school record, head coach Arleigh Jorgenson responded, “ I’m not sure about a school record for wins, perhaps, but as far as winning percentages go, I’m not so sure about that.
“We have played in the section championship game before, and to the quarter-finals a few times as well. We have had some great teams here, and will again, but this team is one of the best ever, for sure, and deserves the accolades.”
A senior-laden team, none was better than Andrew Miller.
“We were led by Andrew Miller, his 100 strikeouts on the season surely is a school record. We have had some strikeout artists in previous years, but 100 strikeouts is phenomenal,” said coach Jorgenson.
“His batting average ended at .508 with 23 RBIs and 27 runs scored. He stole 26 bases and was caught 3 times.
“Joining Andrew as Polar League All-Stars are Dillon Sjogren, Andrew’s battery mate who deserves a great deal of credit for that strikeout number. He called the pitches and blocked everything back there. He finished the season with a .339 batting average, 14 RBIs, 19 runs scored and 20 stolen bases. He was caught just once. Though he pitched only 8 1/3 innings, because of his importance behind the plate, he finished 1-0 with an ERA of 6.72.
“Josh Prom was the third All-Conference player for us. Josh was the class of the conference and the section in centerfield, but ended the season playing shortstop and batting third. He finished with a .349 batting average, 17 RBIs and 17 runs scored. He stole 14 bases and was caught twice. As a pitcher his won-loss record was 3-0, and his ERA was 3.868.
“Joining these three were two 2018 Polar League All- Stars Tristen Bockovich and Joe Deschampe. Joe’s batting average ended at .250 with 15 RBIs and 7 runs scored. He recorded 105 putouts at first base with 4 errors. He delivered several clutch hits that ended up determining wins for us. Tristen hit .213 with 7 RBIs and 9 runs scored. On the mound he finished 2-2 with an outstanding ERA of 1.817. He struck out 40.
“Cameron Roy, batting in the lead-off spot, hit .207, but had an on base percentage of .453. He drew 25 walks, drove in 11 and scored 24 times. He also stole 15 bases and was caught 4 times. He finished with a fielding percentage of .833 recording 13 outs.
“Connor Somnis always showed up to play and his readiness was infectious. His fielding percentage was 100 percent, no errors. His batting average was .254 with 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored. He stole 20 bases and was caught just once.
“Levi Sheils finished the season with a .304 batting average. He drove in 10 and scored 18 times. He stole 17 bases and was caught once.
“Worthy of listing as well is Lynden Blomberg. After setting baseball aside for two years, he decided to join his classmates for his senior year on the diamond. A first class young man he is and a completely positive teammate he was. We were honored to have him back with us for his final year.
“This senior class was special. More special than some others? Maybe, or maybe not, but special. I know they will be friends forever, as CCHS alumni usually are, and they will remember, with pride, their accomplishments on the baseball field, along with everything else.
“Andrew is headed to Iowa Western, one of the top Junior College baseball programs in the nation. Tristen is headed to St. Scholastica, recruited as a pitcher in their program. Joe is headed to Vermilion College in Ely. His defensive prowess stands out, as well as his power and steadiness at the plate.
“These three players were highly recruited and had quite a few options. The challenge to play at the next level will be steep for them all, but we are sending them off with confidence and pride in their honed skills, their passion for the game, and their courage to step up to the next challenge. They can do it!”
Arleigh was reticent about his team’s earlier than-expected exit in the playoffs.
“It was a huge disappointment to lose in the final four of the section against Ely, but Ely played well, and they prevailed. Tristen Bockovich pitched well, but we could not push across any runs and we were shut out 4-0. Expectations were high going in, and rightfully so.
“But every game is a contest. It’s a cliché, but any team can defeat any team on a given day. This fact remains: we were the number one rated team in the section at the end of the regular season record.
“But, why then do we play? Our memories will be of playing together. We will not forget that we lost those games, but we may forget who the opponents were, or what the scores were. We will remember our individual mistakes, but we will always be proud of our team and our teammates.
“It is a game of skill and reactions and even though the game was invented to be played by grown men, it is played best when played like a kid. We fell twice to teams with lesser records, but to teams that played very well. But for a couple of plays, it could have been us. In a series, I would have given us the edge. Congratulations to Carlton, to Ely, and finally to South Ridge for their return to the state tournament.
“Now, it is on to American Legion and Babe Ruth Baseball. Summer has finally arrived!”
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