Ben Etzell has been a force on the mound for the Wolves this season, whiffing 15 hitters in one game and tossing a no-hitter in another. (John Fisken photo)
Ben Etzell will be a Johnnie next year.
The Coupeville High School senior, who will attempt to pitch the Wolves into the state tournament Saturday with a win at Tri-Districts, hopes to play baseball for Saint John’s University in Minnesota next year.
The NCAA Division III school, famous for its football program, went 21-10 in baseball this season.
While Etzell was considering several schools, he decided to follow in the footsteps of dad Mike, the first base coach for the CHS baseball squad.
“It was kind of a late bloomer and I told my dad I’d consider it if I got a good financial package because I knew their academics were good and I love Minnesota,” Etzell said. “After I got my financial offer back, it was the best I had received so I went back for a visit and it was amazing, I fit right in.”
When Saint John’s stepped up with scholarship and grant money, the deal was done.
Located in Collegeville, Minnesota, Saint John’s was founded in 1857. The school’s 13 varsity sports programs compete in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Johnnies are most famous for their gridiron program, which has won 29 MIAC titles and four national championships.
Saint John’s has the highest winning percentage of any D-3 football program and boasts the winningest coach at any college level in legendary John Gagliardi.
The school’s baseball coach, Jerry Haugen, is almost as accomplished, having won 704 games in 37 seasons at the helm of the Johnnies.
Coupeville Sports 