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Grandville Backstop Home Again Behind the Plate
By
Dean Holzwarth
Special for MHSAA.com
April 16, 2021
GRANDVILLE – Spencer Verburg understands his position on the baseball diamond isn’t the most glamorous.
It doesn’t bother the Grandville senior standout one bit.
In fact, he takes pride in his role as one of the top catchers in the Grand Rapids area.
“I like to do the dirty work,” said the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Verburg, who recently signed with Central Michigan University. “Not many people want to do that, and everyone wants to be a shortstop or center fielder where you look cool and get the girls.
“I feel like a team can't take it to the next level without a dude behind the plate that is willing to block and get down and dirty to help the pitchers look pretty.”
Verburg is a defensive stalwart who embraces the opportunity to help his pitching staff.
“I like receiving because I’m able to stick pitches that other catchers would drag out of the zone,” Verburg said. “It’s such a confidence booster when you stick and steal one and it can change the whole game because your pitcher gains the confidence he needs and then he starts rolling.
“I’ve always focused on defense because it's hard to find good catchers out there. I feel like so many people have focused on hitting, so I focused on catching where I knew not as many people would focus on.”
Verburg’s prowess and maturity was on display in Grandville’s first tournament of the season last weekend.
Bulldogs head coach Matt Cook was impressed by Verburg’s ability to block out his offensive struggles and remain focused on his catching duties.
“He didn’t have a great day at the plate and I sent him a text telling him that the way he talked to our younger pitchers, the way he carried himself behind the plate and the way he talked to umpires is going to pay such dividends in the long run,” Cook said. “He didn’t let the other things bother him at all.”
Verburg is thrilled to be back on the field with his teammates after the pandemic wiped out his junior season.
Last year was a challenging time for all spring sports athletes in the state.
“It hit hard because baseball is such a big part of my life,” Verburg said. “I didn’t get to play with my teammates and see them every day. There weren’t any places to work out or throw or hit because so many places were shut down because of COVID.”
The Bulldogs had just wrapped up tryouts before they found out the season would be put on pause. It eventually turned into a cancellation.
“There was no way I thought they were going to cancel the season, and we thought we would just wait it out for a couple weeks,” Verburg said. “It felt like it dragged out, and eventually we sensed that we wouldn’t be playing at all.”
Verburg had mixed emotions because he knew he had another year of high school baseball.
On the other hand, he knew that wouldn’t be the same for his senior teammates.
“I felt really bad because I’ve been playing with those guys since I was a freshman, and I’ve been through so much with those guys,” he said. “It was hard to not be able to go out and play that last season with them and know they were not going to enjoy senior night and everything else.”
“It was heartbreaking for everyone around the state and the country,” Cook added. “Guys like Spencer and others who had been waiting in the wings and they knew they were going to be day-one starters and play every single inning. And then for the season to get canceled ... I know it was really tough on those guys.”
Cook saw a noticeable difference in his players’ preparation upon learning of their return this spring.
“They have been so locked in this year, and I think a lot of it is because they lost a year and are not taking anything for granted,” Cook said. “We’ve had our best practices so far this year than we’ve had in my four years here.
“Guys are more locked in because of that missed year. They don’t take practice for granted, and they want to be there.”
Verburg feels blessed to have the opportunity to play in his final season.
“I’m so thankful because last year it was obvious to everyone that things can be taken away so fast,” Verburg said. “This is the first year I’ve been able to play with all the guys I grew up with since kindergarten. It’s nice to go out and play the game that we love together and just have fun doing it.”
Verburg has been on the varsity since he was a freshman. As a sophomore, he spent time playing behind then-senior Jake Paganelli.
The following offseason, playing with his Diamonds travel team, Verburg began to show promise at the plate.
The combination of defense and hitting helped him earn interest from college scouts.
“Things just started to click for me at the plate,” Verburg said. “It’s this feeling you have when you step up to the plate and you knew you were not going to strike out. You knew you were going to find a way on base no matter what pitcher was out there and no matter what situation it was.”
Verburg fit in right away as an incoming freshman on varsity.
“He was business-like then, and had goals early,” Cook said. “We recognized him as a kid that was only going to work and work and work, It’s rare when you find a freshman that carries himself the way he did. He carried himself like an upperclassman.”
The Bulldogs possess a lot of potential this year after winning 24 games in 2019.
“I think we’re being slept on, but we're scrappy,” Verburg said. “I think we can make a deep run in the tournament.”
Dean Holzwarth has covered primarily high school sports for Grand Rapids-based WOOD-TV for four years after serving at the Grand Rapids Press and MLive for 16 years along with shorter stints at the Ionia Sentinel and WZZM. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Allegan, Kent and Ottawa counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Grandville catcher Spencer Verburg gets ready for another inning behind the plate during his team’s doubleheader against Grand Ledge earlier this month. (Middle) Verburg signs with Central Michigan in November. (Below) The then-sophomore drives a pitch for the varsity in 2019. (Photos courtesy of the Verburg family and Grandville baseball program.)
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Preview: Opportunities to Celebrate
June 13, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Two reigning champions will return this weekend to the MHSAA Baseball Finals at Michigan State University.
They’ll be joined at McLane Stadium in part by seven teams seeking their first title in this sport – and with Division 3 guaranteed to offer one of those teams a chance at celebrating the ultimate prize.
See below for a schedule of this weekend’s games, plus glances at all 16 teams that will take the field beginning Thursday.
Semifinals – Thursday
Division 1
Grosse Pointe South vs. Midland, 2:30 p.m.
Brownstown Woodhaven vs. Birmingham Brother Rice, 5 p.m.
Division 2
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Stevensville Lakeshore, 9 a.m.
Saginaw Swan Valley vs. DeWitt, 11:30 a.m.
Semifinals – Friday
Division 3
Gladstone vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 2:30 p.m.
Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Schoolcraft, 5 p.m.
Division 4
Gaylord St. Mary vs. Beal City, 9 a.m.
Unionville-Sebewaing vs. St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic, 11:30 a.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1: 11:30 a.m.
Division 2: 9 a.m.
Division 3: 5 p.m.
Division 4: 2:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $8 per round and include admission to softball games those days also at MSU’s Old College Field. Radio broadcasts of all games can be heard online at MHSAAnetwork.com. All games will be streamed live online at MHSAA.TV and viewable on subscription basis. Click to order tickets in advance and for a parking map.
All statistics below are through Regionals, except Gabriel Richard and Woodhaven’s include their Quarterfinals. (Click for links to brackets and scores.)
Division 1
BIRMINGHAM BROTHER RICE
Record/rank: 31-8, unranked
Coach: Bob Riker, 21st season (578-202)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Reese Trahey, sr. CF (.380, 38 RBI, 14 SB); Jack Orlowski, jr. 3B (.407, 14 2B, 31 RBI, 14 SB); Tito Flores, jr. RF (.395, 45 R, 15 2B, 40 RBI, 16 SB); Jack Brockhaus, sr. P (7-1, 1.54 ERA, 4 SV).
Outlook: Brother Rice emerged from the frequently powerful Catholic League Central to earn this first Semifinal trip since finishing runner-up in 2013. The Warriors downed No. 11 Northville in the Quarterfinal and own a recent one-run win over possible championship game opponent Grosse Pointe South. Brockhaus has dominated, and Rice also has junior Tyler Sarkisian (5-0, 2.42 ERA) among others capable on the mound. Senior catcher Gabe Sotres (.345, 9 HR) and senior first baseman Mac Menard (.330) are two more key bats.
BROWNSTOWN WOODHAVEN
Record/rank: 33-5. No. 9
Coach: Corey Farner, fourth season (121-24)
League finish: First in Downriver League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Drew Szczepaniak, sr. P/1B (.368, 29 RBI, 9-1 pitching, 1.09 ERA, 113 K); Colin Czajkowski, jr. P/OF (.388, 32 R, 16 2B, 32 RBI, 6-0 pitching, 1.03 ERA, 85 K); Justin Charron, sr. C/P (.450, 10 2B, 21 RBI, 5-1 pitching, 1.00 ERA); Kyle Ray, jr. C/OF/P (.380, 34 R, 10 2B, 25 RBI, 4-1 pitching, 0.00 ERA).
Outlook: This historic run has included Woodhaven’s first Regional title and now first trip to the Semifinals, and the Warriors are loaded for a final push. Szczepaniak will continue his career after this spring at Western Michigan, and Czajkowski will sign with University of Michigan, and they provide an obviously daunting 1-2 pitching punch. Woodhaven has reached this weekend with wins over No. 10 Saline in the Regional Final and then No. 6 Grand Ledge in Tuesday’s Quarterfinal.
GROSSE POINTE SOUTH
Record/rank: 31-12, unranked
Coach: Dan Griesbaum, 35th season (808-436-2)
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2001, runner-up 2014.
Players to watch: Joe Naporano, sr. C/IF (.389, 13 2B, 29 R, 4-1 pitching, 2.31 ERA); Davis Graham, sr. C/OF (.386, 10 2B, 9 HR, 45 RBI); Drew Maccagnone, jr. IF (.353, 22 RBI); Jacob Hinkle, sr. OF/IF (.355, 11 2B, 44 R, 14 SB).
Outlook: After two seasons away, South will play in its third Semifinal in five seasons. The Blue Devils clearly earned it with wins against No. 2 University Liggett and No. 12 Macomb Dakota along the way. This season’s District title was the 24th over 35 seasons under Griesbaum, who entered this season eighth in MHSAA history for career baseball wins. He has 17 seniors, including seven starting hitters and expected Semifinal pitcher Nathan Budziak (5-1, 2.31 ERA). Senior Cam Shook (6-2, 1.82 ERA) is another reliable thrower.
MIDLAND
Record/rank: 30-11, unranked
Coach: Eric Albright, 16th season (416-159)
League finish: Third in Saginaw Valley League.
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1998).
Players to watch: Jeff Landis, jr. P/1B (.429, 11 2B, 30 RBI, 6-2 pitching, 3.16 ERA); Martin Money, sr. IF (.375, 11 2B, 29 RBI, 30 SB); James Harris, jr. C (.370, 36 RBI); Garrett Willis, sr. P/OF (.351, 15 2B, 33 RBI, 10-2 pitching, 0.90 ERA, 74 K).
Outlook: Midland will play its first Semifinal since the Division 1 championship season in 1998, having beaten top-ranked Bay City Western and No. 19 Saginaw Heritage along the way. The Chemics previously were swept by Western and split with Heritage, both in league play, but haven’t given up more than two runs in a postseason game these last three weeks. Money, who made the all-state second team in 2017, is one of six regulars who was hitting at least .337 entering the week, and he, Harris, Landis and Willis all had crossed the plate at least 39 times this season while holding down the first four spots in the lineup.
Division 2
DEWITT
Record/rank: 27-6, No. 7
Coach: Alan Shankel, ninth season (225-92-3)
League finish: Second in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1993), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Nolan Knauf, sr. IF/P (.404, 10 2B, 33 RBI, 4-0 pitching, 0.21 ERA); Mark Connelly, sr. IF (.418, 26 R, 22 RBI); Kade Preston, sr. C/1B (.396, 30 RBI); Logan Simon, jr. OF/P (6-1, 2.39 ERA).
Outlook: The Panthers are back at the Semifinals for the third time in five seasons with a veteran group that also has added to a streak of five straight District titles. DeWitt defeated No. 16 Tecumseh in the Quarterfinal to earn this trip and has won eight of its last 10 games. Three more starters are hitting at least .338, and seniors Josh Robinson (4-1, 2.45 ERA) and Garrett Larner (5-1, 1.98) are two more reliable arms; Robinson made the all-state second team last season.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 28-12, No. 4
Coach: Matt Petry, eighth season (177-131)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Carter Macias, sr. 3B (.385, 10 2B, 49 R, 16 SB); Blake Bean, sr. CF (.358, 42 RBI); Dillon Kark, jr. IF (.372, 5 HR, 32 RBI); Logan Wood, soph. P (9-2, 2.45 ERA, 110 K).
Outlook: The Eaglets will join Brother Rice at the Semifinals from the Catholic League Central, coming off a fourth straight District title and sixth in seven seasons. St. Mary’s eliminated No. 2 Detroit Country Day during this run and has outscored five playoff opponents by a combined 50-8. Sophomore Anthony Fett (5-1, 2.79 ERA) combines with Wood to give the team a pair of impressive sophomore lefties on the mound, and seven regulars total were hitting at least .308 entering the week.
SAGINAW SWAN VALLEY
Record/rank: 32-8-3, No. 17
Coach: Craig Leddy, first season (32-8-3)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference Central
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2001.
Players to watch: Mitchell Jebb, soph. IF (.438, 46 R, 31 RBI, 23 SB); Victor Mancini, soph. IF (.331, 46 RBI, 11 SB); Avery Goldensoph, fr. P/IF (5-0, 1.51 ERA); Hunter Goldensoph, sr. P/OF (6-1, 1.70 ERA).
Outlook: This will be Swan Valley’s second trip to the Semifinals, joining the 2001 title run. But although the Vikings will graduate five players, the future is bright with two juniors and 10 underclassmen on the roster and many in prominent roles. Senior infielder Cameron Schroeder (.344, 18 SB) and sophomore catcher Easton Goldensoph (.324) are two more key hitters, and Brian Ross (.311, 3-1 pitching) is another strong sophomore. Swan Valley has shut out three of five postseason opponents.
STEVENSVILLE LAKESHORE
Record/rank: 25-14, No. 12
Coach: Mark Nate, 13th season (334-148-1)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2017).
Players to watch: Trey Thibeault, sr. IF (.460, 42 R, 32 SB); Jared Evans, jr. OF/C (.398, 34 R, 35 RBI); Cam Dalrymple, jr. IF (.440, 12 SB); Connor Brawley, sr. OF/P (.402, 37 R, 26 SB, 9-4 pitching, 1.43 ERA).
Outlook: Seven starters are back from the lineup that won last season’s Division 2 championship, and Brawley earned the pitching win in the 2017 Semifinal. He made the all-state second team last season and leads a staff that also includes seniors Joel Brawley (6-1, 2.37 ERA) and Logan Morrow (4-2, 2.41 ERA). Sophomore Oli Carmody (.344) is another returning starter who helps fill out a strong lineup. Lakeshore opened this run by eliminating top-ranked Edwardsburg and also has beaten No. 13 Sturgis during the postseason.
Division 3
GLADSTONE
Record/rank: 32-4, No. 6
Coach: Don Lauscher, sixth season (158-49-1)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Has not played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Clay Cole, sr. OF/P (.467, 31 R, 4-1 pitching, 2.07 ERA); Braeden Lamberg, sr. IF/C (.351, 37 R, 26 RBI); Cody Frappier, jr. OF (.432, 36 R, 31 RBI); Carson Shea, jr. IF/P (7-1, 1.02 ERA).
Outlook: Gladstone is back for its third Semifinal in five seasons after getting past No. 15 Standish-Sterling and top-ranked Traverse City St. Francis, among others during this postseason. The Braves also return this weekend with their highest win total since the program was restarted six seasons ago. Junior Jared Crow (6-0, 0.82 ERA) is another successful thrower from a strong pitching staff, and he’s also one of seven regulars hitting at least .303.
MADISON HEIGHTS BISHOP FOLEY
Record/rank: 18-17-1, unranked
Coach: Tim McEvoy, 18-17-1
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic League AA
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2017), one runner-up finish.
Players to watch: Mason Minzey, sr. C; Benjamin Alderson, jr. P/1B; Ethan Hoffman, sr. P/OF. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Reigning champion Bishop Foley got over .500 by downing No. 4 New Lothrop in Tuesday’s Quarterfinal, and has outscored its five postseason opponents by a combined score of 43-4. Minzey and senior third baseman Evan Ludwick started in last season’s championship game and are among seven seniors. The Ventures have won eight straight games.
RIVERVIEW GABRIEL RICHARD
Record/rank: 26-3, No. 5
Coach: Mike Magier, fifth season (record N/A)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League CD
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1994.
Players to watch: Kevin Tuttle, jr. C/IF (.438, 32 R, 32 RBI, 10 SB); Matthew Silka, jr. P/IF (6-0, 0.91 ERA, .311 hitting); David Zubor, soph. OF (.421, 30 R, 27 RBI); Jacob Gosen, jr. OF/P (.489, 44 R, 25 RBI, 4-1 pitching, 1.08 ERA).
Outlook: Gabriel Richard won its second straight Regional title and will play in its first Semifinal since the 1994 run, after also winning its fourth straight league and District titles. The Pioneers defeated No. 14 Michigan Center in the Quarterfinal to advance, and the future is bright as well as the roster is filled by all juniors and sophomores. The team boasts an impressive 1.37 ERA, with juniors Niko Maloney (4-1, 1.57) and Frank Klamerus (4-0, 0.00) and sophomore Cole Atkinson (4-0, 1.52) among others who have had success.
SCHOOLCRAFT
Record/rank: 22-11, unranked
Coach: Larry Phelps, sixth season (151-46)
League finish: Fourth in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Jett Gott, fr. P/OF/IF (.413, 31 R, 19 SB); Alex Thole, fr. P/OF/IF (.375, 5-0 pitching, 1.70 ERA); Connor Nutt, jr. P/1B/OF (.362, 11 2B, 4-2 pitching); Marc Shaink, sr. P/3B (.346, 3-3 pitching, 2.56 ERA).
Outlook: Schoolcraft won its third straight Regional title and will play in the Semifinals for the second straight season, but with a much different cast – Shaink is the only returning starter. The Quarterfinal win over No. 20 Buchanan was the team’s 12th straight. Six starters are hitting at least .309, including senior Wyatt Adams (.309, 31 R, 16 SB), and he and Shaink are two of four seniors in the lineup.
Division 4
BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 21-8, No. 14
Coach: Steve Pickens, second season (50-18)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Kollin Sharrar, sr. IF (.470, 10 2B, 20 RBI); Brett Upton, sr. P/IF (.415, 37 R, 22 RBI, 8-2 pitching, 0.81 ERA, 107 K); Keegan Haynes, jr. P/IF (.394, 5-2 pitching); Ryan Schafer, sr. P/OF (.368, 34 R, 3-2 pitching, 2.26 ERA).
Outlook: Beal City was Division 4 runner-up in both 2013 and 2014, and this Semifinals will be its first since the latter run. The Aggies didn’t give up a run in the postseason until beating No. 15 Muskegon Catholic Central 9-2 in the Quarterfinal and have outscored their five playoff opponents by a combined 44-2. Juniors Colby Berryhill and Nate Wilson are also among regulars hitting at least .333, Berryhill (.366, 32 R) from the lead-off spot.
GAYLORD ST. MARY
Record/rank: 26-5, No. 4
Coach: Matt Nowicki, 14th season (241-170)
League finish: First in Ski Valley Conference
Championship history: Class D runner-up 1988-89.
Players to watch: Drew Long, sr. P/C (.494, 29 R, 30 RBI); Drew Koenig, soph. P/C (.368, 10 2B, 34 RBI, 11-1 pitching, 1.90 ERA); Brady Hunter, soph. CF (.364, 31 R, 24 SB); Quinn Schultz, fr. 1B/P (.356, 23 RBI, 2-1 pitching, 2.93 ERA).
Outlook: Gaylord St. Mary will play in its third straight Semifinal – and keep an eye out moving forward as well. There are two seniors; the rest of the Snowbirds are freshmen and sophomores. Even then, four starters are back from that 2017 Semifinal, with Long a returning all-state first-team selection. St. Mary eliminated No. 10 Onaway and No. 18 Indian River Inland Lakes on the way back to MSU.
ST. JOSEPH LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 27-3, No. 2
Coach: Dale Beeney, third season (82-14)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference White
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2010.
Players to watch: Matthew Defay, soph. P/IF; Kyle Juza, sr. P/IF; Jacob Kissane, sr. C. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Lake Michigan Catholic just missed making the Semifinals last season with a one-run Quarterfinal loss, but is back for the first time since the 2010 championship game run. Six seniors anchor the starting lineup, and the team carries a .386 average. The Lakers defeated No. 11 Decatur to win their Regional championship and have given up only five runs over five playoff games – and 1.45 earned runs per game this entire season.
UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING
Record/rank: 21-15, unranked
Coach: Tyler Bader, sixth season (115-65-3)
League finish: Fifth in Greater Thumb Conference West.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cooper Kauffold, sr. C (.400, 11 2B, 20 RBI); Jalen Gangler, jr. DH/OF (.356, 19 RBI); Hunter Bohn, sr. SS/P (.330, 23 R, 4-3 pitching, 3.23 ERA); Brendan Prime, sr. P/CF (7-4, 1.56 ERA, 117 K).
Outlook: USA has won three straight Regional titles and will play in a Semifinal for the second straight season, but this one has to be a bit of a surprise as the team was just a game above .500 heading into the tournament. The Patriots eliminated No. 20 Ubly among others over the last three weeks and have navigated the postseason with six starters back from last season – including another top pitcher in senior Devin Riskey (7-6, 3.20 ERA, 80 K), an all-state first-team selection last spring.
PHOTO: Midland's Liam Grady unloads a pitch during Tuesday's Quarterfinal win over Holland West Ottawa. (Click to see more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)