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Pitcher Saves Best for Team's 1st Final
June 15, 2013
By Andy Sneddon
Special to Second Half
BATTLE CREEK – Connor Foley saved his absolute best for last, much to the delight of longtime Bay City Western coach Tim McDonald.
Foley put on a gutsy mound performance Saturday in pitching the Warriors to a 1-0 win over Birmingham Brother Rice in the MHSAA Division 1 Final at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek.
“Best game I’ve pitched in my life, and I couldn’t have picked a better day to do it,” said Foley, who went the distance in limiting a formidable Rice lineup to six hits while striking out four and walking one. “Every single pitch – if I wanted it on the outside corner, it was going there; if I wanted it on the inside corner, it was there.”
It was the first MHSAA baseball championship for the Warriors and the first for McDonald, who is 564-198-7 in 21 years at the school. He was recently inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
“We wanted to get him his first ring,” Foley said. “He just got inducted into the hall of fame, so we wanted to give him something else to be happy about.”
Western got the game’s only run when senior Grant Bridgewater drew a two-out walk in the top of the sixth inning. Bridgewater, Western’s catcher, gave way to courtesy runner David Fegan, a sophomore, and Fegan was balked by Rice’s Dalton Greyerbiehl to second – the first of two costly Rice miscues in the late innings. On the pitch after the balk, senior Brendan Harrison smacked a solid single to center, and Fegan slid home well ahead of the throw.
The confident Foley did the rest. And, as is the case with any good pitcher, he got some help from his defense.
“Once I got that run, I knew,” he said, “I knew we were getting it.”
Foley allowed a one-out single in the sixth, but the courtesy runner was doubled off of first after a long flyout to center fielder Briton Ott to end the inning.
“Throw to contact,” Foley said of his pitching philosophy. “I’ve got a great ‘D’. I knew to throw to contact and they’d take care of it. Before the game I was telling the guys we’d probably need four or five runs because, you know, I’m pitching. But all we needed was one today. Inexplicable.”
The Warriors also had their ace in the hole, literally, with University of Michigan-bound lefthander Brett Adcock – who pitched the Warriors to a 2-1 Semifinal win over Sterling Heights Stevenson on Friday – warming up in the bullpen.
After Foley surrendered a two-out single to Bobby Cross in the bottom of the seventh, McDonald went to the mound to speak with his pitcher, but he didn’t replace him. The next hitter popped out to end the game.
“(Rice) had a left-handed hitter coming up in a couple batters, but to be honest, I don’t think I could have pulled the plug on Connor,” McDonald said. “He didn’t throw a lot of pitches. He deserved to close out a state championship.
“Adcock gets a lot of attention, (and) he deserves all of it, but Connor Foley’s been equal to the task. He’s a great complement to Brett and anybody who knows Connor will tell you you know exactly what you’re going to get. He is a gutsy kid, he’s confident and he’s got a little swagger to him, maybe, but it’s all about him wanting the ball. He wants the big game.”
And for Western, there were plenty of them this year. Saturday’s win was its 35th consecutive. Rice finished 32-8-1.
“I told the guys last night, if we had to play (Rice) in a seven-game series, we might not win,” McDonald said. “But we just had to play them once and beat them once and I’m beyond proud.
“I’ve been proud of every team I’ve coached and I’ve coached some incredible teams. But this team separated themselves. They set the bar. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to coach, but I’m not sure if we’ll ever do the things we did this year. … Maybe people can put it into perspective for me, but I don’t know what else to say about what we’ve done.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Bay City Western sophomore David Fegan slides into home for the Warriors' deciding run in a 1-0 win Saturday at Bailey Park. (Middle) Senior Connor Foley threw a complete game in earning the win on the mound for Bay City Western. (Click to see more from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)
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Preview: Finals Memories Finally to be Made Again at McLane
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 15, 2021
The wait to return to Michigan State University and McLane Baseball Stadium for MHSAA Semifinals and Finals finally will come to an end this weekend. And what a return it will be.
The 16-team field is headlined by two of the most star-studded in recent memory in Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Portage Central. Six contenders will be playing to reach the final day of the season for the first time. And nine teams will be pursuing their first championships – with a guaranteed first-time title winner in Division 4.
Division 1 - Thursday
Midland Dow vs. Portage Central - 9 a.m.
Grand Blanc vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice - 11:30 a.m.
Division 2 - Friday
New Boston Huron vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's - 9 a.m.
Stevensville Lakeshore vs. Gladwin - 11:30 a.m.
Division 3 - Thursday
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Richmond - 2:30 p.m.
Buchanan vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett - 5 p.m.
Division 4 - Friday
Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep vs. Marlette - 2:30 p.m.
Maple City Glen Lake vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney - 5 p.m.
FINALS - June 19
Division 1 - 9 a.m.
Division 2 - 2:30 p.m.
Division 3 - 11:30 a.m.
Division 4 - 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $9.40 and may be purchased online only at GoFan. One ticket is good for all baseball, softball and girls soccer games at MSU’s Old College Field that day. All Semifinals and Finals will be broadcast and available with subscription from MHSAA.tv, with free audio broadcasts on the MHSAA Network.
Below is a glance at all 16 teams taking the field:
Division 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS BROTHER RICE
Record/rank: 29-10, unranked
Coach: Bob Riker, 23rd season (633-226-4)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Will Shannon, sr. C (.372, 14 2B, 43 RBI); Alfredo Velazquez, soph. OF (.360, 11 2B, 29 RBI, 29 R); Brayden Dowd, soph. OF (.286, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 31 R); John Locker, sr. P (2.14 ERA, 77 K/39 1/3 IP).
Outlook: This will be the team’s third-straight trip to the Semifinals. The Warriors defeated No. 5 Livonia Stevenson and No. 13 Brownstown Woodhaven during their Regional run, after finishing runner-up in their league to St. Mary’s and ahead of four more teams that won at least District titles (and U-D Jesuit reached the Quarterfinals before losing to the Warriors). Rice did so with Shannon the only senior (non-pitcher) in the starting lineup, although Locker is expected to start on the mound Thursday and senior Blaise Wilcenski (1.57 ERA, 58 K/35 2/3 IP) is another key arm.
GRAND BLANC
Record/rank: 31-11, unranked
Coach: Kevin Hubbs, fifth season (98-93)
League finish: Second in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Jonah Meleski, sr. OF (.435, 44 R, 34 RBI, 36 SB); David Lally, jr. P/IF (.414, 38 R, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 10-3 pitching, 0.95 ERA 78 K/57 2/3 IP); Nate Helms, jr. P/IF (.337, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 5-2 pitching, 2.20 ERA); Hunter Ames, jr. C/IF (.371, 32 R, 22 RBI).
Outlook: Grand Blanc followed up its first Regional championship by earning its first trip the Semifinals, holding its five postseason opponents to a combined three runs including a shutout of No. 15 Utica Ford. The Bobcats finished second in their league only to No. 17 Midland. The team as a whole is hitting .309 and can create havoc on the bases having stolen 136 this season while getting caught only 16 times. Senior Tim Welsh is another big bat hitting .358 over 21 games and slated to start the Semifinal at first base. Lally has committed to sign with Notre Dame.
MIDLAND DOW
Record/rank: 27-14, unranked
Coach: Rich Juday, fifth season (97-53)
League finish: Tied for fifth in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1983 and 1987.
Players to watch: Trent Johnson, sr. P/UTY (.344, 13 2B, 24 RBI, 9-2 pitching, 2.01 ERA 66 K/73 IP); Logan McCoy, sr. P/IF (.495, 39 R, 14 2B, 46 RBI, 4 saves pitching); Jack Bakus, soph. P/IF (.405, 31 R, 13 2B, 7 HR, 37 RBI); Daniel Kowalczyk, jr. OF (.376, 25 RBI).
Outlook: Dow also has emerged from the competitive SVL and advanced to this weekend with a one-run Quarterfinal win over No. 9 Hudsonville. The Chargers have steadily upped their wins under Juday and with one more will have their most under the former Dow and Michigan State standout – who also has coached at MSU, Northwood and in the Oakland A’s minor league system. Total, eight regulars are hitting .338 or better, with senior Riley Nelson (.368, 10 SB) and junior Bill VanSumeren (.360, 11 2B) among those also standing out in multiple offensive categories.
PORTAGE CENTRAL
Record/rank: 34-4, No. 2
Coach: Cory DeGroote, third season (55-14)
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2002, Class A runner-up 1997.
Players to watch: Luke Leto, sr. IF/P (.495, 71 R, 13 2B, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 31 SB); Nick Ford, sr. IF (.411, 37 RBI, 4 saves pitching); Zach MacDonald, sr. OF (.521, 63 R, 16 2B, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 18 SB); Gavin Brasosky, sr. P/IF (.358 10 HR, 41 RBI, 9-0 pitching, 0.82 ERA, 117 K/59 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Portage Central is making its first trip to the Semifinals since 2011 led by a star-loaded lineup. Leto is slated to play next at Louisiana State, Brasosky at Tennessee and MacDonald at Miami (Ohio), and the team as a whole is hitting .353 with those three and Ford packing the first four spots in the lineup. The Mustangs have defeated top-ranked Grand Ledge and No. 14 Battle Creek Lakeview during a tournament run that has seen them outscore five opponents by a combined 51-14. Seniors Ryan Dotson (7-2, 1.95 ERA) and Cody Stewart (7-0) also are among a number of reliable arms.
Division 2
GLADWIN
Record/rank: 25-9-1, unranked
Coach: Troy Gary, ninth season (148-98-5)
League finish: Fourth in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Lucas Mead, soph. OF (.457, 46 R, 31 SB); Ian Graves, sr. P (9-1, 1.84 ERA, 60 K/65 1/3 IP); Ethan Shea, sr. 1B (.333, 33 RBI, 4-3 pitching); Lincoln McKinnon, soph. 3B (.381, 11 2B, 26 RBI).
Outlook: Gladwin won its first Regional title since 2014 and second all-time, and this will be the program’s first trip to the Semifinals. The Flying G’s have won three of their five tournament games by one run, including a 4-3 Regional Semifinal victory over No. 8 Bay City John Glenn. The team has only four seniors but seven sophomores including four who start. Sophomore shortstop Connor Dee (.319, 28 RBI) and junior catcher Aaron Kozlow (.353, 14 SB) provide more offensive punch, and senior second baseman/pitcher Hunter Williams has stolen 27 bases without being caught and also has a 1.48 ERA.
NEW BOSTON HURON
Record/rank: 26-7, No. 4
Coach: Philip Yancey, sixth season (94-54)
League finish: First in Huron League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Rickey Emelian, sr. CF/P (.340, 29 RBI, 13 SB, 3-0 pitching, 0.74 ERA, 3 saves); Mathew Williams, jr. RF (.381, 43 R, 32 SB); Chase Molnar, sr. P/SS (.375, 10 SB, 8-0 pitching, 1.67 ERA, 56 K/51 IP, 3 saves); Ethan Webb, sr. C/1B (.365, 5 HR, 39 RBI).
Outlook: This will be the program’s first appearance at the Semifinals, and Huron has been building toward a run like this over Yancey’s tenure reaching 20 wins in 2018 and winning a District title in 2019. The Chiefs downed No. 6 Trenton 7-5 in the Quarterfinal after splitting a pair with the Trojans in early April, and four of their seven losses came over two doubleheaders to ranked Division 1 teams. Eight hitters are batting .338 or better on the season, and senior Thomas McSwain (5-0, 1.46 ERA) and junior Cole Grunwald (4-0) also are undefeated on the mound.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 41-1, No. 1
Coach: Matt Petry, 11th season (252-142-2)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Alex Mooney, sr. SS (.462, 67 R, 9 HR, 54 RBI); Brock Porter, jr. P (11-0, 0.50 ERA, 115 K/55 2/3 IP); Jake Dresselhouse, jr. OF (.413, 70 R, 14 HR, 60 RBI); Ike Irish, jr. C (.432, 48 R, 12 2B, 12 HR, 53 RBI).
Outlook: St. Mary’s has been recognized all season as one of the top high school teams in the nation, with its only defeat this spring 2-1 to Division 1 No. 16 Saline. The roster is loaded with future college players who have signed or committed to do so, including Alex Mooney (Duke), Porter (Clemson), Irish (Auburn), juniors Jack Crighton and Nolan Schubart and sophomore Jasen Oliver (Michigan), junior Jake Dresselhouse (Michigan State) and sophomore Ryan Mooney (Notre Dame). Senior Tommy Allman (Jacksonville) is another top thrower at 10-0 with a 1.27 ERA, while Schubart (.416, 9 HR, 53 RBI) and Crighton (.440, 37 R, 37 RBI) are among other big bats. Alex Mooney made the all-state first team in 2019, and Schubart made the second team.
STEVENSVILLE LAKESHORE
Record/rank: 27-11, No. 16
Coach: Mark Nate, 16th season (384-177-1)
League finish: Fifth in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 2 champions 2017 and 2018, Class B champion 1990.
Players to watch: Ryan Kolessar, jr. OF (.383, 19 SB); Zach Warren, soph. IF/P (.345, 30 R, 22 SB, 8-1 pitching, 2.63 ERA); Trevor Griffiths, soph. OF (.385, 32 R, 28 SB); Grant Ruddell, sr. UTY (.359, 27 RBI, 17 SB).
Outlook: Lakeshore has won 18 of its last 20 games while adding a fourth-straight Regional title and earning a third Semifinals berth over those four seasons with postseason victories over No. 7 Edwardsburg and No. 9 Grand Rapids Christian. Ruddell and left fielder/pitcher Riley Adams (.349, 27 RBI, 19 SB, 3.26 ERA) are the team’s only seniors, and junior Vaughn Hurdle (5-1, 1.94) and freshman Noah Chase (8-2, 2.92 ERA) join Warren as part of a pitching staff that has gained valuable experience while shining this spring against a loaded schedule. Lakeshore has defeated three ranked Division 1 teams.
Division 3
BUCHANAN
Record/rank: 34-2, No. 1
Coach: Jim Brawley, third season (57-11)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Red
Championship history: Class C champion 1985, three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jack Branch, sr. P/IF/OF (.467, 40 R, 42 RBI, 11-0 pitching, 0.95 ERA, 74 K/66 1/3 IP); Matthew Hoover, jr. P/IF (.463, 44 R, 11 2B, 37 RBI, 14 SB, 9-1 pitching, 0.26 ERA, 110 K/55 IP); Drew Glavin, jr. P/IF/OF (.445, 47 R, 31 SB, 5-0 pitching, 0.75 ERA); Macoy West, jr. P/IF/OF (.390, 31 R, 13 2B, 50 RBI, 6-1 pitching, 0.36 ERA, 56 K/39 IP).
Outlook: Buchanan is headed to the Semifinals for the first time since finishing Division 3 runner-up in 2015, and after outscoring five playoff opponents by a combined 41-4. The Bucks have defeated No. 7 Pewamo-Westphalia, No. 11 North Muskegon and No. 15 Niles Brandywine during the tournament run, and their only losses this spring came by a run to Division 1 semifinalist Portage Central and during a split with Division 2 semifinalist Lakeshore. Four more regulars hit at least .311, and the team has only four seniors – including only two among its top six hitters and one among its top four pitchers.
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 29-5, No. 2
Coach: Dan Cimini, 17th season (468-105)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League AA
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Kurt Barr, jr. P/IF (.338, 11-1 pitching, 0.90 ERA, 110 K/69 1/3 IP); Matthew Greene, sr. CF (.400, 32 R, 10 2B, 32 RBI); Jack Jones, soph. P/OF (.365, 30 RBI, 10 SB, 8-1 pitching, 0.84 ERA, 57 K/57 IP); Jarren Purify, soph. SS (.411, 50 R, 11 2B, 34 SB).
Outlook: This will be Liggett’s eighth Semifinals appearance over the last 10 seasons, and the Knights were Division 3 runners-up in 2019. They played a loaded schedule and all five losses came to Division 1 or 2 teams including two to St. Mary’s, while the postseason has included wins over No. 3 Detroit Edison and No. 6 Blissfield. This is another team built to continue contending, with only two seniors in the starting lineup but also five sophomores and two freshmen. Sophomore Joey Randozzo (.388, 17 SB) tops four more regulars hitting at least .317, and junior Matthew Belcrest (5-0, 0.95 ERA, 54 K/36 2/3 IP) provides another solid option on the mound,
RICHMOND
Record/rank: 30-5, No. 5
Coach: Scott Evans, 10th season (237-72)
League finish: Third in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2013 and 2014.
Players to watch: Bennett Hitzelberger, jr. P/1B (.322, 32 R, 29 RBI, 10-0 pitching, 1.28 ERA, 91 K/60 IP); Reese Rinna, sr. RF (.468, 13 2B, 34 RBI); Joe Parinello, jr. C/P (.449, 32 R, 35 RBI); Carson Gee, sr. 3B (.371, 47 R, 11 2B, 25 SB).
Outlook: Richmond is headed back to the Semifinals for the first time since its back-to-back runner-up finishes. The Blue Devils have outscored their four postseason opponents by a combined 44-8, with wins over the last two weeks over No. 8 New Lothrop and No. 10 Algonac – the latter an 8-3 victory avenging two league losses. Richmond also split in league play with Division 2 No. 20 Croswell-Lexington. Sophomore Jackson Jones (.382, 11 2B, 27 RBI), junior Denny Salagan (.366, 20 SB) and senior Mitch Dobbelaer (.346) bolster the lineup, and junior Hudson Davenport (7-3, 1.40 ERA) is another top thrower and committed to Eastern Michigan.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 27-9, No. 14
Coach: Tom Passinault, seventh season (196-49)
League finish: First in Lake Michigan Conference
Championship history: Class D champion 1990, Division 3 runner-up 2017.
Players to watch: Charlie Peterson, jr. P/IB (.478, 45 R 16 2B, 6 HR, 56 RBI, 9-2 pitching, 1.94 ERA, 85 K/61 1/3 IP); Cody Richards, jr. IF/P (.429, 10 2B, 29 RBI); Aidan Schmuckal, sr. C (.477, 55 R, 28 RBI); Josh Groves, jr. OF (.371, 33 R).
Outlook: St. Francis has won 13 of its last 14 games, with just a split against No. 13 Boyne City during that time. Although this is an entirely different crew of players bringing the Gladiators back to the Semifinals, there is some relatable experience on the biggest stage – Peterson, Schmuckal and Groves all scored during the Division 7 football championship game in January. Seniors Jack Hitchens (5-2, 2.75 ERA), Corbin Domres (.315) and Jimmy Muzljakovich (30 R) also are among key contributors.
Division 4
KALAMAZOO HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP
Record/rank: 29-9, No. 5
Coach: Smiley Verduzco, first season (29-9)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Brenden Collins, jr. CF/P (.554, 35 R, 17 2B, 56 RBI, 28 SB, 4-2 pitching); Stephen Kwapis, sr. 3B (.490, 61 R, 15 2B, 11 HR, 59 RBI, 29 SB); Nick Verduzco, soph. SS (.423, 53 R, 13 2B, 36 RBI, 15 SB); Steven Widger, sr. C (.472, 45 R, 10 2B, 34 RBI, 37 SB).
Outlook: Hackett is making its first trip to the Semifinals on the strength of a lineup hitting a combined .385 and averaging 9.2 runs per game. The postseason run has included wins by scores of 9-8 (over No. 18 Kalamazoo Christian) and 8-7 as the Irish have scored 51 runs total over five playoff games. Senior Sam Shea (9-2, 2.22 ERA, 72 K/63 IP) is slated to take the mound in the Semifinal, and he’s also one of eight in the lineup hitting .300 or better. Sophomore Patrick Ogrin (.424) is among five over .400, and junior Isaac Backman (.356, 20 SB) and freshman Eli Backman (.337, 10 SB) are among seven hitters who have stolen at least 10 bases. Kwapis has signed with Notre Dame.
MAPLE CITY GLEN LAKE
Record/rank: 27-7, No. 8
Coach: Kris Herman, 17th season (392-217-6)
League finish: Second in Northwest Conference
Championship history: Class D runner-up 1984.
Players to watch: Mateo Gokey, jr. SS/P (.363, 29 R, 27 RBI, 10 SB, 4-0 pitching); Jon Popp, sr. 3B/P (.350, 26 R, 28 RBI, 11 SB, 5-1 pitching, 3.37 ERA, 75 K/43 2/3 IP); Ryan Flores, sr. 1B/P (.354, 32 R, 9-3 pitching, 3.16 ERA, 95/62 IP); Sean Galla, soph. OF/C (.382, 22 RBI).
Outlook: Glen Lake is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2014 and charging into the weekend having scored at least 10 runs in six of its last nine games. The team is hitting a combined .319 with seven regulars at .313 or better – seniors Drew Barber (.382) and Jackson Ciolek (.322, 30 RBI) and junior Connor Ciolek (.313, 33 R, 21 SB) also are among contributors on that list. The 15-6 Quarterfinal win over No. 17 Gaylord St. Mary avenged a regular-season defeat.
MARINE CITY CARDINAL MOONEY
Record/rank: 27-6, No. 2
Coach: Mike Rice, fourth season (83-44)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Intersectional
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Rocco Comito, sr. IF (.459, 34 RBI, 12 SB); Thomas Gill, sr. P (9-0, 0.60 ERA, 67 K/58 2/3 IP); Trent Rice, soph. P/OF (.495, 40 R, 12 2B, 44 SB, 2-0 pitching, 0.75 ERA); Blake Lutzky, soph. P/IF (.405, 13 SB, 6-1 pitching, 0.97 ERA, 70 K/50 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Cardinal Mooney has gone from struggling to fill the roster when Mike Rice first took over the program to winning its third Regional title all-time and making the Semifinals for the first time. Cardinal Mooney has outscored is five playoff opponents by a combined 59-6. Comito made the Division 4 all-state first team in 2019, and he, Gill and leadoff hitter Anthony DiGiuseppe (.369, 10 SB) are the lone seniors. Six regulars are hitting .325 or better, also including sophomore Ryan Trombley (.325), and junior Nathan Super is a super sub at .362 and 3-0 with a 2.83 ERA on the mound.
MARLETTE
Record/rank: 22-9, No. 11
Coach: Dave Hayden, sixth season (71-75-2)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference East
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Gavin Gage, sr. IF/P (.409, 29 R, 24 RBI, 2.14 ERA pitching); Travis Fuller, jr. C/P (.387, 38 R, 17 SB); Cody Hayden, sr. IF/P (.495, 33 RBI, 14 SB, 10-2 pitching, 1.21 ERA, 74 K/57 2/3 IP); Ethan Marshall, jr. IF/P (.309, 7-1 pitching, 1.13 ERA, 95 K/56 IP).
Outlook: Marlette is one of the great turnaround stories in the state over the last five seasons, with the next chapter its first Semifinal appearance. Led by also-soccer coach Dave Hayden, the Red Raiders have put together a combined 45-20-1 record with two league and two District titles over this spring and 2019 after going a combined 27-57-1 over the previous three seasons. Marlette downed No. 13 Muskegon Catholic Central for the Regional title and then defeated Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary in a second one-run win Saturday. Senior Logan Clark (.371, 21 SB) is another catalyst for a team hitting a combined .316, and junior Grant Roberson (1.40 ERA) provides another reliable arm.
PHOTO: Midland Dow’s Jack Bakus begins to step into a pitch against Bullock Creek during a game at Loons Stadium this spring. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)