Baseball Finals: Here Comes the Hit Parade
June 14, 2012
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
More than half of the teams in this weekend's MHSAA Baseball Finals field will play their first Semifinals ever Friday at Battle Creek's Bailey Park – including three teams each in Divisions 1 and 2.
But will one also win its first championship? That's a tougher question to answer, especially with reigning Division 3 champ Madison Heights Bishop Foley and Division 4 winner Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett also back and looking like favorites again.
Below is this weekend's schedule, followed by a look at each of the 16 teams that will be playing. Tickets cost $7 per round or $15 for an all-tournament ticket that includes admission to softball games. All Finals also will be streamed live online at MHSAA.tv and FoxSportsDetroit.com.
Semifinals - Friday
Division 1
Warren DeLaSalle vs. Howell - Morrison Field, Noon
Hudsonville vs. Saline - Nichols Field, 1 p.m.
Division 2
St. Joseph vs. Bay City John Glenn - C.O. Brown Stadium, 2 p.m.
Dearborn Divine Child vs. Grand Rapids Christian - Morrison Field, 3 p.m.
Division 3
Saginaw Nouvel vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley - Nichols Field, 4 p.m.
Mancelona vs. Lansing Catholic - C.O. Brown Stadium, 5 p.m.
Division 4
GPW University Liggett vs. Rudyard - Nichols Field, 10 a.m.
Muskegon Catholic Central vs. Decatur - C.O. Brown Stadium, 11 a.m.
Finals - Saturday
Division 4 - 9:30 a.m.
Division 1 - 12:30 p.m.
Division 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Division 3 - 6:30 p.m.
Statistics below are through teams' Regional tournaments. (Click for links to brackets and scores.)
Division 1
HOWELL
Record/rank: 30-10, unranked
Coaches: Jason Ladd and Mike Weatherly (first seasons)
League finish: Second in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: RF sr. Brandon Risacher (.440, 16 2B, 24 SB), P sr. Josh Vyletel (14-2, 1.92 ERA), CF sr. Greg Cauley (.396, 19 RBI).
Outlook: The Highlanders are making their first trip to the MHSAA Semifinals, but have seen plenty of strong competition on the way with wins over No. 1 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, No. 3 Northville and formerly ranked Holt. Every starter but one is hitting at least .325.
HUDSONVILLE
Record/rank: 31-5, No. 6
Coach: Dave Van Noord, 18th season (403-177)
League finish: Second in Ottawa-Kent Red
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: 2B sr. Brandon Cable (.461, 29 RBI, 10 SB), P sr. Blake Hibbitts (9-0, 1.33 ERA, 63 K in 52.7 IP), 1B sr. Hunter Prince (.387, 13 2B, 28 RBI).
Outlook: Hudsonville also is making its first trip to the Semifinals, and has the luxury of multiple aces to throw at the competition this weekend. The 6-foot-6 Hibbitts has emerged this fall, and pairs with returning all-stater Tyler Baar (8-2, 2.41 ERA) for an outstanding one-two punch.
SALINE
Record/rank: 30-10, No. 9
Coach: Scott Theisen, 20th season (510-213)
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference Red
Championship history: Four Division 1 runner-up finishes (most recently 2010)
Players to watch: 1B/P sr. Justin Goike (.389, 39 RBI, 8-1, 1.21 ERA), SS sr. Austin Hauck (.345, 10 2B, 39 RBI), CF jr. Gage Hammond (.381, 9 3B, 19 SB).
Outlook: Saline is hoping to finish off its first title run after ending as runner-up in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Six more regulars hit at least .300, including freshman designated hitter Trent Theisen (.386). Senior Brent Vaccaro and sophomore Michael Hendrickson both also had won six games on the mound entering this week, both with sub-2.00 ERAs for the season.
WARREN DELASALLE
Record/rank: 19-22-1, unranked
Coach: Matt Cook, second season (38-41-1)
League finish: Fifth in Detroit Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA championships (most recently 2009)
Players to watch: P/1B/3B sr. Kevin Carroll (.333, 25 RBI, 6-2, 2.00 ERA), 1B jr. Cole Clifton (.389, 12 2B, 39 RBI), CF sr. Reed Carnagie (.300, 31 RBI).
Outlook: DeLaSalle likely will be considered the surprise of this weekend’s field, but consider a few things. The Pilots have a championship history, with two of their three titles coming over the last 12 seasons. And they play in the Detroit Catholic League, which featured top-ranked Brother Rice and annually is one of the most competitive in the state.
Division 2
BAY CITY JOHN GLENN
Record/rank: 34-7, No. 3
Coach: Jeff Hartt, 28th season (601-316)
League finish: John Glenn does not play in a league.
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: IF sr. Chase Krager, P jr. Zach Olszewski. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Bay City John Glenn got Coach Hartt his 600th win in the Regional final, and now has made it to the Semifinals for the first time. Krager and Olszewski were all-state second-team picks last season and are two of five seniors on the team. All of them start.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Record/rank: 22-15, unranked
Coach: Tony DeMare, 13th season (357-138)
League finish: Tied for second in Detroit Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recently 2010)
Players to watch: SS sr. Randy Kuzdak (.348, 23 RBI), 2B sr. Justin Williams (.369, 24 RBI), 1B jr. Zack Schmidtke (.342, 21 RBI, 5-5, 2.55 ERA).
Outlook: Divine Child has won four of the last eight Division 2 championships, and like Warren DeLaSalle above plays a tough brand of competition – seven of those losses came against foes that either were ranked or made the Semifinals as well. Senior Justin Chandler (6-3, 2.25 ERA) likely will draw Friday’s start and is one of four pitchers with at least four wins.
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 34-5, No. 2
Coach: Brent Gates, fifth season (133-44)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent White
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up in 2011 and 2005.
Players to watch: IF/P sr. Kurt Hoekstra (.492, 6 3B, 41 RBI), P sr. David VanVliet (7-0, 0.95 ERA, .328), IF sr. Taylor Pruis (.369, 9 2B, 33 RBI, 26 SB).
Outlook: All but one starter from last season’s MHSAA Final line-up is back for Grand Rapids Christian, and eight starters are hitting .325 or better. Depth also is on the Eagles' side – nine pitchers have won games this season and combined for a 2.13 ERA, and Hoekstra is 3-0 with four saves.
ST. JOSEPH
Record/rank: 32-9, No. 10
Coach: Eric Danapilis, fourth season (110-46)
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: OF sr. Jacob Fratzke (.330, 46 R, 31 RBI), P soph. Charles Fleenor (7-0, 0.95 ERA, .326), 3B soph. Anthony Montoya (.458, 17 2B, 51 RBI).
Outlook: This is St. Joseph’s second trip to the Semifinals, and first since 1981. Six seniors start for the Bears, with Fratzke and shortstop Nick Lawrence both earning all-state first-team selections last season. St. Joseph edged No. 1 Richland Gull Lake 6-5 in the Regional semifinal on the way to Battle Creek.
Division 3
LANSING CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 30-6, unranked
Coach: Mike Scott, fourth season (73-58-3)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference White
Championship history: Class C champion 1996.
Players to watch: C/P sr. Mike DeClarke (.368, 22 RBI, 6-0, 1.70 ERA), CF jr. Adam Babcock (.449, 39 R, 31 SB), P sr. Dillon Rush (10-1, 0.52 ERA, .406, 33 RBI).
Outlook: Scott has built the Cougars back up from a nine-win season in 2009 to its third District title under him and first trip to the Semifinals since 1997. Lansing Catholic opened this season with a sweep over Semifinalist Saginaw Nouvel Catholic and beat No. 7 Parchment in Tuesday’s Quarterfinal. First baseman Jimmy Maher rounds out a small but talented senior class.
MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY
Record/rank: 36-3, No. 1
Coach: Buster Sunde, fourth season (132-23)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League AA
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2011, Class B runner-up 1990.
Players to watch: C sr. Brett Sunde, 3B jr. Billy Malak. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Graduating four all-staters after last season hasn’t slowed the Ventures, whose losses were to Division 1 Lake Orion and Detroit Catholic Central, and Allen Park Cabrini. Brett Sunde has signed with Western Michigan University, but also was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 35th round of last week’s Major League draft.
MANCELONA
Record/rank: 29-5, No. 10
Coach: Jim VanWagoner, ninth season (177-85)
League finish: First in Ski Valley Conference
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: P/IF sr. Craig Conway (.460, 16 2B, 32 RBI, 14-1, 1.79 ERA, 106 K in 85 IP), CF jr. Wyatt Derrer (.414, 28 RBI, 45 SB, 34 R), C fr. Cole VanWagoner (.412, 25 R, 20 RBI).
Outlook: Mancelona is headed to the Semifinals for the second year in a row and the second time ever, but has been building toward this with four straight District and six straight league championships. The Ironmen look especially dangerous if they win Friday, with freshman Brandon Dingman (9-1, 2.22) also strong on the hill this season.
SAGINAW NOUVEL CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 29-9, unranked
Coach: Dave Horny, sixth season
League finish: Nouvel does not play in a league.
Championship history: Four MHSAA championships (most recently 2005), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: P sr. Joe Buchalski (.385, 12 2B, 26 RBI, 8-2, 0.54 ERA, 104 K in 52 IP), 1B sr. Josh Buchalski (.367, 10 SB, 6-0, 1.04 ERA, 76 K in 54 IP), LF sr. Mike Albosta (.367, 11 SB, 27 R).
Outlook: Nouvel might be unranked, but owns wins against Division 1 No. 4 Bay City Western and Division 2 No. 3 Bay City John Glenn among other larger opponents it faced this spring. The Panthers won their first Regional title since 2007 and have the pitching to finish this weekend with one more championship – junior Drew King also is 6-0 this season, with a 2.05 ERA.
Division 4
DECATUR
Record/rank: 34-6, No. 2
Coach: Ben Botti, 18th season (376-180)
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recently 2003), one runner-up finish.
Players to watch: 3B sr. Stephen Botti (.322, 23 SB, 26 RBI, 8-2, 1.39 ERA), SS sr. Theodore Rufo (.514, 13 2B, 7 3B, 31 RBI, 38 SB), P sr. J.T. Kawaski (.328, 28 RBI, 9-1, 1.01 ERA, 81 K in 62.3 IP), 1B/P jr. Tim Cerven (9-0, 1.31 ERA, 94 K in 64 IP, .363, 34 R).
Outlook: This is Decatur’s first Semifinal appearance since 2003, which it finished with a second-straight MHSAA title. Botti, Rufo and Kawaski all were all-state first-teamers after last season’s run to the Quarterfinals, and they are only three of eight starters batting .320 or better.
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 24-3, No. 1
Coach: Dan Cimini, ninth season (240-50)
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA championships (most recently 2011), one runner-up finish.
Players to watch: Alexander Daar (15-0, 0.10 ERA, 153 K in 85 IP, .551, 38 RBI), 3B soph. Anthony Simon (.515, 26 RBI, 25 R), CF jr. Mark Evan Auk (.500, 33 R, 18 RBI, 4-2).
Outlook: University Liggett is three respectable losses from a perfect record – the Knights fell to Division 2 No. 5 Mount Pleasant, Semifinalist Dearborn Divine Child, and Division 1 Grosse Pointe North. Daar was an all-stater last season and has been nearly unhittable. Junior Connor Fannon also is a returning all-state first-teamer and is hitting .636 in limited at bats.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 26-8, unranked
Coach: Steve Schuitema, fourth season (77-37)
League finish: Second in River Valley Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: SS sr. Connor Seymour (.443, 36 R, 8-2, 1.95 ERA, 70 K in 52.7 IP), 1B/P fr. Nick Holt (9-2, 1.63), CF sr. Jason Ribecky (.400, 11 SB, 31 RBI).
Outlook: Despite an 8-1 start, MCC lost two of four games at the end of the regular season. But the Crusaders rebounded quickly and beat No. 5 Beal City on the way to the Semifinals. Four seniors start, but so do four underclassmen. Ribecky also was the star of the boys basketball team that made that Finals weekend in March.
RUDYARD
Record/rank: 20-16, unranked
Coach: Ron VanSloten, 19th season (375-159-3)
League finish: Fifth in the Straits Area Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: C sr. Tyler Wilson (.495, 14 2B, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 20 SB), SS/P Brady VanSloten (.379, 38 R, 15 SB, 7-4, 1.75 ERA), 1B jr. Justin Kruger (.360, 20 RBI).
Outlook: Despite a fifth-place league finish and the graduation of two all-staters after last season, Rudyard is back at Bailey Park for the first time since 2007 and has won at least 20 games for the seventh straight season. After dropping four of their last eight regular-season games, the Bulldogs have won their postseason games by an average of 8.4 runs per.
PHOTO: Madison Heights Bishop Foley's Brett Kunde takes a swing during last season's Division 3 Final. Kunde will return to Bailey Park on Friday, and last week was drafted by the Oakland Athletics.
Hudson's Horwaths Producing Chart-Topping Hits for Tigers' Diamond Teams
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
May 25, 2022
HUDSON – Let it be known that there is little debate in the Horwath household who has the sweetest swing on the diamond. Dinah does.
“I like my swing and I think it’s good but, honestly, I have to say she does,” said Ambrose Horwath, a junior three-sport athlete at Hudson High School in Lenawee County.
“I think mine is better,” said Dinah, laughing – but agreeing.
No matter whose swing is better, they both are swinging hot bats this spring.
Going into this week, Dinah Horwath, a sophomore, was batting .479 and has been at or around .500 all season. She is the Lenawee County leader in hits (46), runs (44) and RBI (36).
Ambrose is batting a healthy .466. He’s among the Lenawee County leaders in hits (41), runs (37), RBIs (34), pitching wins (8) and strikeouts (49).
The two have a sibling rivalry, but there’s no competition to who will have the highest average at the end of the season. That’s because they are both rooting for each other.
“A couple of weeks ago, Ambrose was in a two or three-day slump,” said Hudson athletic director and varsity baseball coach Jeremy Beal. “After our practice I walked back to our field and there was Ambrose and Dinah. She was throwing soft toss to him. They must have had two buckets of balls.
“I’ve seen that before among brothers, but never a brother and sister. It was awesome.”
Ambrose’s slump didn’t last long.
“They pull for each other, and both have really good attitudes,” Beal said.
The Horwaths are a sports-crazed family. Father Lance is a Waldron native who is a principal in the Hudson school district and the Tigers varsity boys basketball coach. He played college baseball at Defiance, where he met Jamie. They were later married and had two kids – Ambrose and Dinah.
“I played college baseball with her brothers,” he said. “That’s how we met.”
Horwath was a teacher at Camden-Frontier when he moved into the Hudson district a little more than two decades ago. Ambrose has been a varsity basketball player since his freshman season and will go into his senior campaign a few 3-pointers shy of 1,000 career points. He also was a starter on Hudson’s Division 8 championship football team in the fall.
Dinah has plenty of varsity experience herself, despite being just as sophomore. She was second on the team in scoring this past basketball season and one of the area's top 3-point shooters. She said she and Ambrose often play one-on-one in basketball.
“We’ve done that since we were little,” she said. “We’re competitive, but we get along very well. We don’t really fight.”
Lance Horwath said the two of them are often together working on either their shot in basketball or swing in baseball/softball.
“They are always playing something,” Lance said. “Sports is a big part of our family. They’ve both been playing since before they even started school. It’s cool to see them together. They are very supportive of one another.”
Dinah, who is considering pursuing a career in sports management, throws right-handed in softball but has been batting from the left side of the box since she picked up a bat.
“From Day 1, she’s batted lefthanded,” Lance Horwath said. “I put her on the left side of the plate because that’s how I batted, and I wanted to teach her. She makes good contact.
“I love how she’s carved out her own niche in softball. She played travel ball when she was younger. She just loves playing the sport.”
Hudson softball coach Amy Hill said Dinah is constantly trying to get better.
“Her secret is she works very hard,” Hill said. “She puts in the time to improve and takes practice time seriously. She spends a lot of time on the tee. She’s a coach’s dream, always looking for ways to improve.”
During Hudson’s baseball and softball games, Lance and Jamie try to find a location where they can stand and watch both games.
“In Hudson, we can stand along the leftfield line and see both games,” he said. “They are both fun to watch. We’re blessed.”
If one sibling’s game ends early, the other gets to the other field as quickly as possible.
“I like it when our games get done so I can get over and see him play,” Dinah said.
Ambrose is no different.
“It’s cool to get to watch her games,” he said. “Every time I look over there or go watch, she’s on base.”
Ambrose said sports came natural to them.
“We will go out and hit together two or three times a week,” he said. “We’ve always been very close. It helps, I think, that we are only one year apart.
Hudson’s baseball team is looking to make some history this spring. The football and wrestling teams have already captured state championships, as did the competitive cheer team. The baseball team is 23-5 and close to winning at least a share of its first Lenawee County Athletic Association championship since 1968.
The Tigers are 9-3 with a doubleheader remaining against Ida. Onsted leads the league at 8-2 but has doubleheaders remaining against Clinton and Dundee, both formidable opponents.
“We need some help for that to happen,” Ambrose said. “But we just have to take care of our games first.”
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Dinah, left, and brother Ambrose Horwath are among Lenawee County’s leading hitters in their respective sports. (Middle) Dinah prepares for the pitch from her spot in the infield. (Below) Ambrose makes his move toward the plate. (Photos by Rachel Stiverson.)