Wildcat baseball returns to Fleming's field; six take All-Conference

Six members of the 19-player squad for the Fleming Wildcat baseball team earned post-season honors after returning to their home field this year. Since the 2018 season, Fleming's student-athletes have been playing on the Caliche Buffalo squad, but with enough interest to field a team this year, Wildcat baseball returned under the coaching of Jaxon King, Tanner Serrato and Anthony Serrato.

Juniors Nolan Japp, Braylen Feather and Kolten Houser and sophomore Will Bornhoft were selected by a panel of coaches for All-Conference honors. Senior Nate Betley and freshman Travis Johnson where chosen All-Conference, Honorable Mention.

Japp spent the majority of his defensive time this year behind home plate as the Wildcats' catcher. He earned a .940 fielding percentage with 45 put outs and one double play. At the plate, Japp tallied 11 hits with four doubles; added six runs batted in and 12 runs. He stole 16 bases on 17 attempts.

Feather spent time on the mound for the Wildcats this year in addition to being listed as an outfielder and first baseman. From the mound, Feather faced 83 batters, gave up 19 hits and threw 19 strike outs. At bat, he hit two doubles, earned two RBIs and ran the bases eight times off seven total hits.

Outfielder and pitcher Kolten Houser added 14 runs for the Wildcats this season. He tallied three doubles and three RBIs off nine hits at the plate. He earned a fielding percentage of 1.000 with six put outs on six chances.

Wildcat first baseman Will Bornhoft earned a .800 fielding percentage with 23 put outs on 30 total changes. He tallied six runs and six RBIs on five hits over the course of the 13-game season.

Betley closed his high school athletic career this season playing outfield and pitcher for the Wildcats. He faced 101 batters, gave up 23 hits, 25 runs and struck out 14 batters. From the field, Betley had five put outs on 10 chances. He scored nine runs off 10 hits and brought around 11 RBIs.

Johnson played third base and pitcher for his debut season with the Wildcats. He had eight put outs on 23 total chances with 10 assists. On the mound, he faced 42 batters, gave up 11 hits and struck out six batters. As a batter, Johnson tallied five hits - two triples and one double - with eight runs and eight RBIs.

The Wildcats lost two seniors to graduation in mid-May. In addition to Betley, Joel Muller also closed his high school athletic career this season. That senior duo leaves the leadership reigns to a large and talented group of incoming seniors. Japp, Feather and Houser along with classmates Kody Donnelson, Brett Nolde, Triston Castillo and Harry Harms are set to take control of next year's squad.