Senior spotlight: Witt-Birn pitcher Casey Kerstner thrives in big-game situations

WITTENBERG - Casey Kerstner might have a fondness for drinking Kickstarts on the day he pitches, but it's not the only thing that energizes him on the mound. 

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood senior right-hander thrives in pressure situations like he faced Tuesday in a showdown with Iola-Scandinavia in a Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division baseball game

He pitched into the seventh inning of an eventual win over the Thunderbirds but had to leave the game with the teams tied 1-1 because he was near the 100-pitch limit the WIAA allows prep pitchers to throw in a game. 

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"He didn't want to come out," Chargers coach Dan Kapitz said. "In situations like against Iola-Scandinavia or Bonduel, two of the top teams in our conference, he wants to pitch. He doesn't shy away from those challenges."

Kerstner, who hits left-handed and plays third or shortstop when he isn't pitching, has met the challenge throughout the season, and was a second team all-Central Wisconsin Conference-8 selection as a junior. 

Kerstner, who also was a member of the Wittenberg-Birnamwood football and basketball teams, recently sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about his season, the veteran group the Chargers have brought back this spring and his routine on game days, among other subjects. 

You got the start against Iola-Scandinavia (on Tuesday). Your coach says you want the ball in those big games and those are situations that you live for.

Yeah, it's really exciting, and I trust the teammates I have to help me through the game. It's just a lot easier knowing I have those guys behind me. But it feels great to be put in those (big-game) situations. 

What is your routine before you pitch a game?

During school I don't usually talk with too many people I kind of just get dialed in for the game. Then when I go out (to the field) I like to talk to my teaammates, get a sense of what they are thinking, then stretch and throw a little bit. Then drink a Kickstart (energy drink) before I go up on the mound.

Any particular Kickstart flavor?

Just whatever we've got in the vending machine in school.

What is your top pitch?

My curveball.

You're a part of a team with nine seniors and eight returning starters. What is the chemistry on the team like?

All of us have known each other for years and years. We have played together on teams since we were young and grown up to the high school level. All of us play the three sports together (football, basketball, baseball) and we are all friends and hang out together. I trust them and they trust me. 

The team won the conference last year, had a long winning streak but lost in the regionals. How did that fuel the group returning this year?

(The loss) bothered us because the team we lost to (Iola-Scandinavia) went to state and we figured that if we could have pulled that game out we probably could have made it on (to state), too. We know we're capable of going there, we just can't beat ourselves. 

What has been your top sports moment?

Probably beating Manawa in football (this fall) to go to the playoffs for the first time in a long time. It was pretty wild, a lot of guys were crying and coaches were crying. It was happy tears. 

At the same time, is there a moment you would like to forget?

The one I can think of is losing to Menominee Indian this year (in baseball). That was a tough one.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Carrie Underwood.

Where is your dream vacation?

Mexico. 

What is youor postgraduation plan?

I want to do an apprenticeship through Apex and become like a pipe fitter.

FAVORITES

Sport: Baseball.

Pro or college athlete: Derek Jeter.

Movie: "Kicking and Screaming."

TV show: "That '70s show."

Music: Country and rap.

App on phone: Snapchat.

Food or meal: Chicken strips.