Connor Worden and Wyatt Zaugg begin and end the Nebraska top 10 for Platte Valley, while Grand Island lands Calvin Hehnke and Ryan Krolikowski on the short list for one-game stardom in the Cornhusker State.
Video: The Final Stretch Show - Plays of the Week
See amazing video from all over the nationWith the baseball season reaching its midway point, this week is as good of a time as any to search the MaxPreps stats leaderboards for some of the outstanding performances put forth by the terrific athletes that play the game in the Cornhusker State.
And we believe we've found plenty.
It all starts with Platte Valley pitcher/outfielder Connor Worden, who proved to be too much for Thurston-Cuming County in multiple phases of the game. And it ends with Platte Valley pitcher/infielder Wyatt Zaugg's speed on the base pads and bat at the plate.
While Worden and Zaugg have combined their talents on the hill, the plate and on the basepaths to get Platte Valley out to a 9-3 start so far this spring, Grand Island coach Rick Kissack's Islanders landed a pair of stupendous outings in the Top 10 as well, illustrating why Grand Island is off to a 14-4 start.
Top 10 Nebraska baseball performances
1. Connor Worden, Platte Valley (Shelton)Along with an outstanding performance from the mound, Worden was unstoppable at the plate. The senior was named the winning pitcher after walking just two batters and striking out 10 in five shutout innings against Thurston-Cuming County. But the 75-pitch performance was just the beginning. Worden was a perfect 5-for-5 from the plate with six runs batted in and three runs scored in the 21-0 win.
2. Ben Klenke, SewardIn each official at bat, Klenke went for extra bases during his 3-for-3, three runs scored, four RBI performance. Klenke pounded out a double and a pair of round trippers in the Bluejays' 17-4 trouncing of Platte Valley in late March. In a 16-5 win over Columbus 11 days earlier, Klenke went 3-for-4 with a run scored and five runs driven in. He had a pair of doubles in that double-digit triumph.
3. Calvin Hehnke, Grand IslandHehnke definitely had a major impact from the plate after getting on base four times and going 2-for-3. But, not only did Hehnke score three times and knock in a pair of runs, he walked just two batters and struck out seven in six innings of work from the mound. Hehnke, who also got on base via a couple of walks, gave up four hits in the 10-0 win over Lincoln Northeast.
4. Bryce McClarnen, Douglas County West (Valley)McClarnen may be a freshman, but he plays the game at a much higher level. He rattled Fort Calhoun by scoring twice and knocking in four more runs, going 3-for-4 from the plate with a double. McClarnen earned the win on the mound as well. During his six-inning performance, he gave up a pair of hits and two runs, one of which was earned. McClarnen needed just 83 pitches in walking one batter and striking out eight while earning a 16-2 triumph over the Pioneers.
5. Alex McGinnis, CreteMcGinnis was all the offense Crete needed in its 12-3 win over Wayne on April 2. The shortstop went 3-for-4 from the plate and scored twice while pounding in three more runs. All three of McGinnis' hits were doubles, and he stole a base.
6. Ryan Krolikowski, Grand IslandThe Islanders have all kinds of weapons this year, and Krolikowski has proven he is one of them. The junior went 2-for-4 from the plate and scored twice, while driving in four more runs earlier this month. Krolikowski had a double and ripped a home run, while also pitching a couple of innings. From the mound, he gave up a hit, a walk and struck out two batters in the 7-4 win over Lincoln North Star.
7. Dillon O'Flaherty, ArlingtonO'Flaherty scattered three hits over three innings and walked a pair of batters while striking out five in March 23rd's 16-9 win over Wayne. But the senior carried a big stick as well. O'Flaherty went a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate and scored a pair of runs. His performance as a hitter was highlighted by a triple and three RBIs.
8. Cole Thibodeau, Elkhorn SouthThibodeau performed well from the mound and at the plate in a 10-4 win over Beatrice on April 7. The junior pounded out three hits in five at bats, including a double, and scored a pair of runs while knocking in four more. On the mound, Thibodeau was tabbed the winning pitcher after giving up a hit and striking out three batters in 2 2/3 innings of work.
9. Nick Nelsen, BlairA pair of doubles highlighted Nelsen's 3-for-3 performance in Blair's 25-5 win over Wayne on April 11. Nelsen scored four runs and brought home three more with his bat.
10. Wyatt Zaugg, Platte Valley (Shelton)Zaugg combined a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with a little bit of foot speed in Platte Valley's 14-2 win over Omaha Bryan March 21. The junior stole three bases and scored three runs while knocking in an additional three more scores in the convincing win.
Honorable Mention Performances:
TJ Egbarts, Douglas County WestWent 3-for-3 from the plate, scored twice and knocked in three runs while belting a couple of triples in a 16-2 win over Fort Calhoun March 30.
Dillon Peterson, Platteview (Springfield)Went 3-for-3 from the plate, scored three times and knocked in three runs with a double and a triple in a 13-3 win over Omaha South April 7.
Ethen Steinhoff, PlatteviewWent 2-for-3 from the plate, scored twice and knocked in four additional runs with a pair of doubles in a 7-6 win over Omaha Northwest March 23.
Devin Safford, Omaha NorthWent 2-for-3 from the plate, scored twice and tallied two more RBIs to go along with four stolen bases in an 11-8 win over Omaha Benson April 3.
Tanner Ortmeier, Guardian Angels Central Catholic/Scribner-Snyder/West Point Beemer (Scribner)Went 2-for-3 from the plate, scored three times and knocked in four more runs to go along with a double and a stolen base in a 19-4 win over Fort Calhoun April 11.
