South Winneshiek prepared and poised for the high school baseball postseason

South Winneshiek has faced its share of ups and downs, according to Coach Alex Smith.

It is nearly unavoidable playing a tough schedule and packing 31 games in 39 days. The Warriors have managed to still produce their seventh straight 20-win season.

“We’ve had a good season,” Smith said. “We have a core group from last year’s team that played in the state tournament.”

South Winn has reached the state baseball tournament three times since 2019 and is looking for a second straight appearance. The Warriors earned the No. 1 seed in Class 1A District 6 and open the postseason at home Saturday in a quarterfinal against Clarksville.

Some South Winn seniors have been a part of each of those state-qualifying teams. The experience from past postseasons, including three straight 2-0 victories from the district semifinal to substate final last year, could benefit the Warriors.

“We’ve played so much baseball,” Smith said. “They’ve been involved in so many big games I don’t think any environment or moment will be too big for them.

“We’re fortunate to be a No. 1 seed in the district and have home games the first three rounds if we’re fortunate to win those. Then, we would head to a substate environment.”

South Winn is 20-10 overall and captured the Upper Iowa Conference title with a 16-2 conference mark. A challenging schedule has readied the Warriors for the postseason that could include future matchups with traditional power Lansing Kee, No. 2-seed Wapsie Valley and a possible substate showdown with fifth-ranked North Linn. Smith welcomes the regular-seasons tests.

“I joke with our guys that our AD is going to put us in a position where we’re probably not going to win every game,” said Smith, who is also South Winn’s athletics director. “I’m going to put together a schedule that is really, really tough.

“We’ve played so many good teams. In all the years I’ve coached, if I had to rank the teams that faced the best pitching, it’s the case for this group. They have seen the best arms come through. If we’re resilient to the end, that should make us better and prepared for a postseason run.”

Seniors Carson Wenthold, Jamie Kuennen and Keegan Streeter lead South Winn in hits. All three have 29. Streeter has 30 runs and Kuennen has 21 RBIs. Wenthold hits in the No. 1 spot in the order and has had a solid campaign after missing all of last season due to injury.

“He started at second base for a very good team his sophomore year, so getting him back was a big deal,” Smith said. “He plays outstanding defense and hits in the leadoff position, too.”

Streeter was an all-stater in 2022. He has continued his good play, batting .354 and reaching base at a .495 clip. He also has four wins with a 1.83 earned-run average and 58 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched.

Kuennen has made strides from last season and contributed in a big way. He is 4-1 on the mound with a 0.82 ERA.

“He had a good junior year but has really elevated his level,” Smith said. “He is our No. 2 pitcher and has had an outstanding year on the mound. He leads us in many offensive categories.”

The Warriors will rely on strong arms and gloves. Success will also depend on whether they can add timely hitting for run support.

“If we’re going on another playoff run similar to last year it’s going to be up to pitching and defense to carry us,” Smith said. “It’s a cliché of baseball but some timely hitting to go along with it.”