B-T ace named state player of the year

Blair-Taylor’s Tavian Shramek is adding more hardware to his collection after being named the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Division Four Player of the Year on Saturday.

Shramek earned the selection largely due to his pitching as he went 8-1 on the season with 158 strikeouts and just five earned runs allowed in 68.2 innings pitched this season. He had an earned run average of 0.510 and opposing hitters batted 0.73 against him. 

He was more than just a strong arm, however. He batted .513 at the plate and also led the squad in doubles (seven), triples (one), RBIs (22) and runs scored (32). He added 30 stolen bases on the season, being caught just once. 

“I am extremely proud of TJ,” Coach Jesse Lien said. “His hard work and dedication have truly paid off. His time in the weight room, and work in the off-season are the reasons for his success.” 

Shramek helped B-T to a 14-8-1 record on the season as the team won a Dairyland Conference title for the second straight season and advanced to the sectional semifinal round. For the second straight season, B-T lost to Pittsville, which went on to the state tournament. 

Over the last two seasons, Shramek has compiled a 19-1 record with 309 strikeouts and six earned runs in 129 innings.

The B-T ace has committed to play at Madison Area Technical College next year. The school has a track record of developing players and serving as a launching pad to Division One programs. 

Shramek is the first area player to win the award since Issac Pape of Independence/Gilmanton was named the D4 Player of the Year in 2017. Arcadia’s Zach Pronschinske earned the 2016 award in Division Three.

Shramek was also named to the WBCA’s Second Team All-State. The All-State teams consist of players from all divisions. Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau senior Calvin Davis was an honorable mention for All-State honors. 

In addition to the honors, Shramek was selected to play in the WBCA’s All-Star Classic to be held this Friday and Saturday in Oshkosh.

The All-State Committee included: Chair: Ron Kading (Potosi). District Reps: Tim Mielke (Shoreland Lutheran) and Tim Gotzler (Menomonee Falls), John Matera (Kenosha Tremper) and Brian Johnsen (Greendale), John Feldner (McFarland) and Brad d’Orazio (Verona), Ryan Brookman (Tomah), John Hamilton (Westby), Ryan McGinnis (Kimberly) and Zach Sand (Mishicot), Jeff Dorschner (Crivitz) and Steve Warren (Marathon), Jeff Ryan (Prescott) and Zac Eichten (Somerset).