Lippe leads North Shore Conference honors

By MITCH MAERSCH

Ozaukee Press staff

Players on the last place team in the conference don’t often earn high postseason honors, and which tells a little about the work ethic and skill of Patrick Lippe.

Port Washington High School finished 2-16 in the North Shore Conference and 5-21 overall, but its star center fielder was chosen to the league’s first team.

Lippe hit .350 with 15 steals, 16 runs scored and just two errors in the NSC. He hit .386 for the entire season with 14 RBI and 27 steals.

“Pat was a mainstay in center field and the leadoff position of our lineup from day one. He was a guiding force defensively in center and created a lot of trouble for opposing pitchers and defenses,” coach David  Snieg said. “The fact that he’s a first-team all-conference selection is a reflection of not just Pat as an athlete, but as a person as well.”

Lippe was one of three selections for the Pirates. Junior shortstop Nate Uselding was named to the second team, and Aiden Swartwout received honorable mention at utility.

Uselding hit .364 in the NSC (.347 overall) with nine RBI, 10 walks and nine steals. He had 35 putouts and 20 assists.

“Nate had the difficult task of batting in the No. 2 and 3 spots throughout the year while playing shortstop for us. He not only gave us stability and production offensively, but kept us in many ballgames due to his defense and willingness to do whatever was needed to succeed,” Snieg said.

Swartwout hit .278 in the NSC (.333 overall) with nine RBI and six doubles. He had 20 RBI for the entire season.

“It’s tough to be a utility player because you never quite know what your role will be that day. Aiden stepped up as a pitcher, infielder, outfielder and designated hitter for our program and was willing to do so at a moment’s notice,” Snieg said.

“Offensively, he not only led our program in RBI, but was third in batting average and came up with quality at-bats rotating between the No. 4 and 5 spots in the lineups, especially in conference games.”

Grafton landed five players on the second team and had one honorable mention.

Junior Nick Colker came out of nowhere and surprised everyone but coach Brian Durst. Colker went 4-2 in the NSC with a 2.04 earned-run average. He whiffed 22 and walked 18 in 37-2/3 innings, most on the Black Hawks.

“I really like his mental approach to the game. He carries himself with a lot of poise and understands what he’s got to do. He has a knack for throwing strikes and changing speeds, all the things coaches ask high school pitchers to do,” Durst said.

Junior third baseman Carson Faust provided pop at the No. 2 spot in the lineup, hitting .393 with a team-high slugging percentage of .696, 10 RBI, a home run, three triples and eight doubles. He had 33 total bases and a team high 16 walks.

“I can’t say enough about what Carson Faust put together this season. He took the sophomore to junior step we needed. He was just an impact player. His numbers speak for themselves,” Durst said.

The Hawks’ No. 3 hitter Hunter Schmitt led the team with a .421 average. The senior had 13 RBI, seven doubles and 10 walks.

“He has done that now for last two years as a major run producer and offensive threat in our lineup. He didn’t have as many players around him last season, but this year with the talented group we had hitting in front of him and behind him he ended up having an outstanding season,” Durst said.

Schmitt was named to the second team as a utility player. He pitched, played first base and left field.

Junior Mason Lempke in center field and Bennett Hildebrand in right field are “two of the most competitive players I’ve coached,” Durst said.
“They’re constantly challenging themselves to get better, challenging each other. They’re friends, competitors and great teammates.”

Both are center fielders. Hildebrand was moved to right, which solidified the outfield and “they didn’t let many balls drop from that point in the season on,” Durst said.

Hildebrand started the season at the bottom of the lineup but worked his way up to the No. 6 spot. He hit .353 with seven walks and five steals.

“He took a big step in offensive production this year,” Durst said.

Lempke has a .295 average as leadoff hitter and led the team with 17 steals. He had nine walks and nine RBI.

“He causes chaos out there (on the bases), and that’s a guy you want on your team,” Durst said.

Junior Vince Cameranesi earned honorable mention at catcher.

He hit .327 with 12 RBI, seven steals and seven walks. He caught every conference game for the Hawks.

“He was outstanding behind the plate. He took the next step in his development,” Durst said.

“He came through with some clutch hits and runs driven in for us. He is such a good athlete that he allows his athleticism to translate to the game of baseball.”

The Hawks also earned another honor. Ryan Finnerty was named North Shore Conference Assistant Coach of the Year.

“If I made any good calls this season as the head coach, it was bringing him back to our staff,” Durst said.

“He’s got a strong work ethic and practices what he preaches to the players. He is always there, works hard, does things the right way and has some fun just being around baseball. He finds the positive in any situation.”

The Hawks finished 6-12 in the NSC, eighth of 10 teams, and 13-14 overall.