Vote: Who is the best high school pitcher in baseball in Battle Creek area?
BATTLE CREEK - The B.O.B. is back!
B.O.B. stands for the Best Of Battle Creek. Each week throughout the spring, we are going to ask, "Who is the Best Of Battle Creek?" as we look at each position in baseball and softball among the city and area high school teams.
Nominations for each position come from the area baseball and softball coaches with a little information on each player, and then it will be up to the Enquirer readers to decide who is the B.O.B.?
MORE:
Area's Top Pitchers in High School Softball
2024 Enquirer Softball Season Preview/Players to Watch
2024 Enquirer Baseball Season Preview/Players to Watch
Each week we will give readers choices from the area high school baseball and softball teams and open our online poll for voting — with a winner decided by the following Tuesday.
VOTE HERE: Who is the top high school pitcher in baseball in Battle Creek area?
Or, scroll down to the bottom of the story for the online poll.
Throwing out the first pitch in baseball are the pitchers on the city and area teams.
Here are the nominations:
Carter Dzwik
School: St. Philip
Class: Sophomore
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: Taking a big step from his freshman year, Carter Dzwik has emerged as one of the top arms on the pitching staff for the Climax-Scotts/St. Philip co-op team. The 6-foot-1 sophomore throws hard and is part of a deep staff looking to have each pitcher step up when needed in the key games throughout the rest of the season.
Caleb Jones
School: Battle Creek Central
Class: Senior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: A two-year starter for the Bearcats, Caleb Jones is a do-everything player for a young Battle Creek Central team in need of senior leadership. Jones is the team's top pitcher, as well as a standout centerfielder who also leads the squad in batting average.
Jake Kucharczyk
School: Lakeview
Class: Senior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: A four-year starter and returning all-state player, Jake Kucharczyk is in his first year as Lakeview's No. 1 pitcher. With the ability to throw any pitch in any count and showing great athleticism, the three-sport star is 5-0 so far this year with a 3.10 ERA.
John Lucki
School: Gull Lake
Class: Junior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: Having a breakout season as a junior, John Lucki has been an early sensation for the Blue Devils in his new role as the team's top hurler, with 12 strikeouts in 11 innings and a 0.63 ERA so far. Also a standout outfielder, Lucki is part of blossoming Gull Lake team.
Connor Odette
School: Bellevue
Class: Senior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: Connor Odette is a standout pitcher who gives a young Bellevue team a chance to compete in most games. An all-conference selection a year ago, leading the team in most pitching categories as as junior, the senior is poised to have a big season for the Broncos.
Calvin Paesens
School: Pennfield
Class: Sophomore
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: With great size for a pitcher, the 6-foot-5 Calvin Paesens is looking to be the No. 1 arm for Pennfield this year as a sophomore. With an ERA of 4.30 last year, Paesens is poised to take the next step for a young Panther pitching staff this year.
Heath Tigges
School: Athens
Class: Junior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: A key player for a young Athens team, Heath Tigges has shown the ability to get a strikeout when he needs it. Tigges is a bright spot for a rebuilding program for the Indians.
Tyler Wolfersberger
School: Harper Creek
Class: Senior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: A senior captain and multiple-time Enquirer All-City and all-league selection, Tyler Wolfersberger was dominant a year ago with a 1.22 ERA that put him in the top five all-time for the Beavers. Wolfersberger has continued to be a force from the mound with 32 strikeouts so far this year with a 0.77 ERA.
Ryan Zweng
School: Union City
Class: Senior
Why he is the best pitcher in the Battle Creek area: A four-year starter for Union City, Ryan Zweng is the ace for the Chargers, recording 90 strikeouts in 55 innings a year ago with a 2.63 ERA and earning all-league honors. So far this season, he is 2-1 with 16 strikeouts. He has 173 strikeouts in his high school career.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter @billbroderick.
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This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Who is best pitcher in high school baseball in Battle Creek area?
