Fond du Lac Legion Baseball Makes Historic Run to State

By Nick Van Nocker

Fond du Lac, WI — The Fond du Lac Lakers Legion baseball program is celebrating a landmark achievement as both their 16U and 17U teams prepare to compete in state tournaments this weekend.

Tim Norton, head coach of the 16U and 19U teams, shared the excitement:

The 16U team qualified for the state tournament for the first time in their history by winning the regional this past Sunday vs cross-town rivals St. Mary’s Springs.

The 16U squad battled through adversity, emerging from the losers bracket to win four consecutive games. Their regional championship run included a dramatic 10-9 victory over Springs in a four-hour marathon, followed by a win over Lomira/Theresa Legion Post. In the final rematch against Springs, the Lakers trailed 3-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and the bases loaded, Brady Schmidt delivered a clutch RBI single to walk it off, securing a 4-3 win and a ticket to the state tournament in Onalaska.

The 16U team, composed of freshmen and sophomores from Fond du Lac and WLA, holds an 18-7 record. They will face Sparta on Friday, July 25 at 11:30 a.m. in Onalaska in a double-elimination format.

Meanwhile, the 17U team, coached by Jack Cole and made up of sophomores and juniors from Fond du Lac, Oakfield, and New Holstein, boasts an impressive 25-1 record—the best in the state. They begin their state tournament journey in Clintonville on Friday night, facing the host team at 7 p.m.

The 17U Lakers are led offensively by Logan Bonlander, who is hitting a scorching .560, and Brody Haus at .393. Their pitching staff is equally dominant, with Brody Haus, Gavin Suprenand, Parker Ziebell, and Kaden Horn all sporting ERAs below 1.75.

Many of the boys playing in legion baseball have played together since they were in kindergarten in Fond du Lac Rec Baseball and have built a lasting friendship.

Besides the coaches the parents note the commitment of Ryan Haus for his commitment and dedication to youth baseball in Fond du Lac.