Preview: New Champ (at least 1) Guaranteed
June 10, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This weekend’s MHSAA Baseball Finals at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium are guaranteed to provide at least a few first-time thrills.
Of 16 teams playing in Semifinals starting Thursday, 11 have never played in an MHSAA baseball championship game. In fact, only seven of 15 that play in conferences won those leagues this spring.
Two of the five teams that have won MHSAA titles won theirs at least 30 years ago. And definitely keep an eye on Division 4 on Saturday; all four semifinalists are playing for their first MHSAA baseball championship.
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
Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills vs. Hartland, 9 a.m.
Grosse Pointe South vs. Portage Northern, 11:30 a.m.
Division 2
Mount Pleasant vs. Adrian, 2:30 p.m.
Vicksburg vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 5 p.m.
Semifinals – Friday
Division 3
Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker vs. Jackson Lumen Christi, 9 a.m.
Buchanan vs. Gladstone, 11:30 a.m.
Division 4
Centreville vs. Rudyard, 2:30 p.m.
Muskegon Catholic Central vs. Ubly, 5 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1: 9 a.m.
Division 2: 11:30 a.m.
Division 3: 2:30 p.m.
Division 4: 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $8 per round and include admission to softball and girls soccer games that day 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.
All statistics below are through at least the regular season, with most through teams' Regionals. (Click for links to brackets and scores.)
DIVISION 1
GROSSE POINTE SOUTH
Record/rank: 32-11, No. 9
Coach: Dan Griesbaum, 32nd season (740-381-2)
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red.
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2001, runner-up 2014.
Players to watch: Ryan Liagre, sr. 3B (.416, 44 R, 12 2B, 4 HR, 29 RBI); James Fishback, sr. 1B (.387, 34 RBI); Andrew Fabry, sr. P (9-1, 0.45, 60 K).
Outlook: Grosse Pointe South defeated its five tournament opponents by a combined score of 48-5 after entering the postseason with four losses over its final five regular-season games. It avenged one of those losses, to Detroit U-D Jesuit, in the Regional Final. Liagre made the all-state Dream Team last season, and with Fishback provides muscle in the middle of the lineup surrounded by junior Will Poplawski (.350), sophomore Brad Thompson (.338) and senior Justin McMann (.327); all nine regulars hit at least .291. Senior Will Norris moves over from second base to follow Fabry in the rotation and is 7-1 with a 2.72 ERA.
GRAND RAPIDS KENOWA HILLS
Record/rank: 33-4, No. 8
Coach: Joe Acker, fourth season (93-34)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Christian Falicki, jr. P (.325, 9-0 pitching, 2.03 ERA); Jacob Sposaro, sr. SS/P (.448, 35 R, 12 2B, 31 RBI, 6-1 pitching, 2.15 ERA); Jace Beatty, jr. OF/P (.493, 25 R, 4-0 pitching, 2.76 ERA)
Outlook: Kenowa Hills has increased its win total each of the last three seasons under Acker, adding a third straight league and second straight District title this spring. The pitching staff is deep with junior Bennett Norry (7-1) just behind Falicki in innings pitched this spring. Six hitters bat .348 or better – the team batting average is an impressive .325 – and eight had driven in at least 12 runs through the end of the District. Sposaro also has stolen 10 bases on 11 attempts, third on a team that has swiped 74 bases in 80 tries.
HARTLAND
Record/rank: 26-16-1, unranked
Coach: Brian Morrison, 14th season (359-153-3)
League finish: Third in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Gary Turnbull, jr. 1B (.344, 30 R, 15 2B, 20 RBI); John Baker, jr. 1B/P (.328, 30 R 13 2B, 26 RBI, 8-2 pitching, 0.93 ERA, 110 K); Alex Vydick, jr. SS/P (.336, 25 R, 22 RBI, 4-1, 3.43 ERA).
Outlook: Hartland won its third Regional in five seasons and fourth in seven years, but broke through for its first Semifinal berth since 2000 and second in program history. While unranked, Hartland finished third in its KLAA division behind No. 4 Brighton and No. 12 Howell. This could be only the start of a nice run – the starting lineup includes only two seniors. Six batters are hitting .317 or better, led by freshman third baseman Max Hendricks at .419.
PORTAGE NORTHERN
Record/rank: 28-7-1, unranked
Coach: Chris Andrews, 15th season (376-160)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Collin Hall, sr. 1B (.434, 26 R, 13 2B, 32 RBI); Max Schuemann, sr. SS (.380, 37 R, 20 RBI, 17 SB, 3-0 pitching, 1.35 ERA); Tommy Henry, jr. P/OF (.320, 25 R, 21 RBI, 16 SB, 8-1, 0.35 ERA, 112 K).
Outlook: Portage Northern has had a solid run under Andrews with at least 20 wins in 13 of his 15 seasons after he arrived from Kalamazoo Loy Norrix in 2001. This is the team’s first Semifinal appearance since 1972, the second season of the MHSAA Tournament for the sport. Portage Northern advanced in part by defeating No. 10 Taylor Kennedy in the Quarterfinal and is riding an 11-game winning streak. Eight regulars are hitting at least .300, and senior Blake Therrian (7-2, 2.80) could also see the mound this weekend.
DIVISION 2
ADRIAN
Record/rank: 27-9, unranked
Coach: Greg Jackson, 26th season (524-351)
League finish: Second in Southeastern Conference White.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Matt Clark, sr. P/IF (.489, 37 R, 15 2B, 42 RBI, 15 SB, 6-2 pitching, 1.02 ERA); Tanner Heath, jr. C (.469, 25 R, 16 2B, 31 RBI); Noah Solis, jr. SS (.414, 40 R, 15 RBI, 25 SB).
Outlook: Adrian has bounced back from two straight sub-.500 seasons to win its first Regional since 2003 and make its first Semifinal since 1979. The Maples defeated No. 6 Milan in the District Final after losing three of its final four games before the start of the postseason; Adrian was ranked as high as No. 5 this spring. Clark is the only senior in the starting lineup, and two underclassmen start including sophomore leftfielder Ty Peck (.355).
MOUNT PLEASANT
Record/rank: 26-12, unranked
Coach: Luke Epple, 24th season (646-181)
League finish: Third in Saginaw Valley Association
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2014), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Hunter Buczkowski, jr. P/OF (.380, 22 R, 23 RBI, 6-2 pitching, 1.06 ERA); Zachary Heeke, jr. 3B (.469, 42 R, 22 RBI, 17 SB); Obie Ricumstrict, soph. SS (.400, 45 R, 11 2B, 21 RBI, 16 SB).
Outlook: The Oilers are on another dominant run, outscoring their six postseason opponents by a combined score of 58-2 with five shutouts. Add in two more shutouts at the end of the regular season for seven in their last eight games. Buczkowski made the all-state second team last season and leads a staff with three starters who have each won at least four games. His sophomore brother Logan is one of them and also plays centerfield and bats clean-up, hitting .369 with 10 doubles and 35 RBI. Senior designated hitter Ryan Lucksted (.388) and junior outfielder Max Trucks (.362) are two more big bats, and senior pitcher Mitch Ridley (4-1, 1.73 ERA) could find himself in an important spot as well this weekend.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 30-13, No. 7
Coach: Matt Petry, fifth season (104-79)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central.
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2003), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Mason Vaughan, jr. OF (.373, 22 R, 26 RBI); Drake Titus, jr. 2B/P (.362, 42 R, 20 RBI, 18 SB, 11-2 pitching, 0.69 ERA); Campbell Kinch, sr. OF (.359, 36 R, 20 RBI, 13 SB).
Outlook: St. Mary’s will play in its first Semifinal since 2009, when it eventually finished Division 2 runner-up. The Eaglets have the pitching to compete for the entirety, with senior Greg Loukinen (6-4, 1.38 ERA) expected to get the Semifinal start and junior Scott Grant (5-2, 1.65 ERA) another option. This could be the beginning of a solid two-year run; the team has only four seniors and only two start as part of what is otherwise a junior-dominated lineup. Sophomore designated hitter Carter Macias (.333) and junior third baseman Drew Boyd (.322) are among others who add offensive boost.
VICKSBURG
Record/rank: 27-7, unranked
Coach: Brian Deal, 17th season (record at school N/A)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference East.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Conner Henderson, sr. CF/P (.465, 39 R, 12 2B, 26 SB, 1.00 ERA pitching, 5 Sv); Dalton Ketelaar, sr. RF/P (.435, 11 2B, 4-1 pitching, 1.27 ERA); Brenden Lovell, soph. P/UTY (.413, 25 R, 15 2B, 25 RBI, 8-0 pitching, 1.08 ERA).
Outlook: Vicksburg won its first Regional title this spring, beating No. 2 Stevensville Lakeshore 2-1 in the Final, and then advanced to its first Quarterfinal by beating No. 1 East Grand Rapids 10-0 (Vicksburg had fallen to Lakeshore 11-0 during the regular season). Seven of the team’s eight seniors start and three more hit at least .300. First baseman Patrick Callahan is among them and also could play a role on the mound, entering the week 6-1 with a 1.64 ERA. Vicksburg was ranked as high as No. 9 this season and opened 16-2.
DIVISION 3
BUCHANAN
Record/rank: 23-7, No. 3
Coach: Lonnie Hoover, third season (52-31)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph West.
Championship history: Class C champion 1985, runner-up 1982 and 1981.
Players to watch: Chad Adkerson, soph. C (.449, 26 R, 20 RBI, 13 SB), Jarrett Thomas, jr. P/SS (.271, 29 R, 13 SB, 9-1 pitching, 1.01 ERA); Dalton Riddle, soph. P/OF (.380, 29 R, 31 RBI, 5-3 pitching, 1.98 ERA).
Outlook: The Bucks will play in their first Semifinal since 1999 and have made good on their high ranking, eliminating No. 8 Lansing Catholic in the Quarterfinal. Former junior varsity coach Hoover has led the team to an increase in wins each of the last two seasons, and they should surge again in 2016 as they graduate only one regular starter. Seven hit .300 or higher this spring, with sophomores Darren Shearer (.386) and Christian Hall (.375) and junior Gavin Morris (.362) among the other toughest outs. Another sophomore, Kyle Leazenby, might be an option on the mound after entering this week 5-1 with a 2.03 ERA.
ELKTON-PIGEON-BAY PORT LAKER
Record/rank: 22-10, unranked
Coach: Adam Grybauskas, fifth season (81-74)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference West.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cody Voelker, sr. P/IF (.353, 32 R, 8-2 pitching, 0.43 ERA); Austin Parrish, sr. P/3B (.348, 21 R, 18 RBI, 2-1 pitching, 2.46 ERA); Austin McCabe, sr. 1B (.333, 17 R, 27 RBI).
Outlook: Laker has won 14 of its last 16 with lockdown pitching led by Voelker and senior Brady Post (6-2, 2.13 ERA). The Lakers have outscored five tournament opponents by a combined 43-9, allowing no more than two runs in a game until Shepherd scored three in the Quarterfinal. Grybauskas formerly coached Central Lake from 2005-10 before taking over this program. Six of the team’s eight seniors start, but junior Logan Breismiester (.344) and sophomore Seth Bowles (.333) also supply offensive help.
GLADSTONE
Record/rank: 28-9, No. 9
Coach: Don Lauscher, third season (74-24-1)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Hunter Garling, jr. OF/P (.442, 25 R, 27 RBI, 2-3 pitching, 2.02 ERA); Justin Jurek, sr. C (.354, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 27 R); Jake Peterson, sr. OF/P (.398, 20 RBI, 32 R, 4-2 pitching, 1.87 ERA).
Outlook: The Braves’ incredible run continues, from not having a program for more than 50 years until 2013, to making the Semifinals last season and now again. They defeated No. 4 Traverse City St. Francis in the Regional Final before advancing to this weekend with an extra-inning 6-5 win over Muskegon Oakridge in the Quarterfinal. Garling made the all-state first team as a sophomore. Junior Elliot Danhoff (5-1) and sophomore Ben Schwalbach (3-0) are among others who can be called on to take the mound.
JACKSON LUMEN CHRISTI
Record/rank: 22-16, unranked
Coach: Phil Clifford, fifth season (record at school N/A)
League finish: Fourth in Interstate 8 Athletic Conference.
Championship history: Class B champion 1978.
Players to watch: John Fleming, jr. C; Josh Iocca, sr. RF; Zach Mehelich, jr. P. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Lumen Christi has had its share of baseball success in recent history, but after a .500 regular season it’s fair to call the first Regional title and Semifinal berth since 1997 surprises. The Titans did load up on some solid competition, playing in the same league as Division 2 No. 9 Parma Western and facing Division 2 No. 10 Niles, No. 6 Milan and semifinalist Vicksburg in tournament play. Six seniors anchor the starting lineup.
DIVISION 4
CENTREVILLE
Record/rank: 28-1, unranked
Coach: Mike Webster, fourth season (79-33)
League finish: First in BCS East.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Michael Kool, jr. P/IF (.337, 29 R, 9-0 pitching, 0.70 ERA, 100 K); Nick Kelley, jr. C (.400, 32 R, 22 RBI); Jalen Brown, jr. 1B (.398, 21 R, 26 RBI).
Outlook: Centerville’s most impressive regular-season highlight might’ve been a 5-1 win over Buchanan, a semifinalist in Division 3. It clearly was a sign of what was possible; the Bulldogs’ only loss was to Mendon, which they came back to beat in the District opener, and Centreville eliminated No. 2 Decatur in the Regional Semifinal. Kool made the all-state first team last season and is one of three pitchers who combined for all of the team’s decisions heading into the week; senior Jordan Gest (10-1, 3.17 ERA) and sophomore Coletin Gascho (8-0, 1.57) had the rest. And stay tuned: only two starters are seniors.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 37-1-1, No. 3
Coach: Steve Schuitema, seventh season (170-41-2)
League finish: First in Lakes 8 Conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Nicholas Holt, sr. P/1B (.450, 39 R, 48 RBI, 23 SB, 12-0 pitching, 1.03 ERA); Jacob Holt, jr. C (.412, 35 R, 38 RBI); Anthony Woodard, sr. SS/P (.459, 60 R, 14 2B, 28 RBI, 28 SB, 3-0 pitching, 0.40 ERA).
Outlook: This will be MCC’s seventh Semifinal and first since 2012. The team has increased its win total the last six seasons and won four straight league titles and five Districts in those six seasons. Nicholas Holt made the all-state first team last season and Jacob Holt made the second team, and they are among a group that has put up gaudy numbers while facing mostly larger schools from their league and area. Five pitchers are at least 3-0 with ERAs under 1.50; sophomore Devin Comes is 9-1 with a 0.87 ERA. Senior Zachary Winzer is another tough out, hitting .427 with 50 runs, 11 doubles and 38 RBI.
RUDYARD
Record/rank: 30-4, No. 8
Coach: Ron VanSloten, 22nd season (444-185-4)
League finish: First in Straits Area Conference.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: James Rosebrock, jr. CF/P (.383, 29 R, 39 RBI, 4-0 pitching, 0.94 ERA); Travis Myers, sr. P/1B (.375, 43 R, 27 RBI, 19 SB, 8-2 pitching, 0.74 ERA); Connor Myers, sr. P/1B (.319, 20 R, 19 RBI, 10-2 pitching, 0.21 ERA, 103 K).
Outlook: This is Rudyard’s third trip to the Semifinals in nine seasons, the most recent coming in 2012, and it beat No. 5 Maple City Glen Lake in the Quarterfinal to get here. Picking out the standouts is tough because there are so many who have played major roles. Connor Myers and senior third baseman Cory Gillett made the all-state second team last season, but eight regulars bat .300 or better. Senior catcher Owen Mills receives from a staff with three starters sporting ERAs less than 1.00, and he hits .373 and is 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA on the mound.
UBLY
Record/rank: 22-7, unranked
Coach: James Becker, 16th season (259-170)
League finish: Second in Greater Thumb Conference East.
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cody Hutchinson, sr. CF/P (.343, 26 R, 14 SB, 2-1 pitching, 1.09 ERA); Jeffrey Wright, jr. P/SS (.353, 26 R, 16 2B, 25 RBI, 15 SB, 7-2 pitching, 1.44 ERA, 113 K); Cole Roggenbuck, sr. SS/P (.341, 24 R, 29 RBI, 17 SB, 5-3 pitching, 1.44 ERA).
Outlook: A season after Ubly’s softball team made its first Semifinals, the baseball team has accomplished the same. The Bearcats have won six District titles under Becker, but were 5-21 only five seasons ago. The team hits .295 with four players over .300; junior second baseman Evan Block joins the three mentioned above with a team-best .361. Becker played at Saginaw Valley State University and then served as an assistant coach with the Cardinals from 1995-98.
PHOTO: Mount Pleasant’s Hunter Buczkowski pitches the Oilers to last season’s Division 2 Final; Mount Pleasant is the only returning champion back this weekend.
Preview: Right Place, Right Time
June 12, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
While it’s an obvious statement this spring’s 16 MHSAA baseball semifinalists have peaked at the right time, it might mean a little more this weekend at Michigan State University’s McLane Baseball Stadium.
Five teams – including half the final fields in Divisions 1 and 2 – were unranked at the start of Districts. The fifth team, Saginaw Nouvel, is riding one of the most impressive playoff streaks in any division despite entering the playoffs below .500.
Meanwhile, seven teams are playing for their first championships this weekend – including the highest-ranked remaining in three divisions.
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
Macomb Dakota vs. Rockford, 9 a.m.
Portage Northern vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 11:30 a.m.
Division 2
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs. Muskegon Oakridge, 2:30 p.m.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Trenton, 5 p.m.
Semifinals – Friday
Division 3
Pewamo-Westphalia vs. Homer, 9 a.m.
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett vs. Gladstone, 11:30 a.m.
Division 4
Petersburg Summerfield vs. Gaylord St. Mary, 2:30 p.m.
Saginaw Nouvel vs. Decatur, 5 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1: 9 a.m.
Division 2: 11:30 a.m.
Division 3: 2:30 p.m.
Division 4: 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $8 per round and include admission to softball and girls soccer 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 for links to brackets, scores and a parking map.
Division 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS BROTHER RICE
Record/rank: 25-12, unranked
Coach: Bob Riker, 22nd season (603-215)
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2008), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Tito Flores, sr. OF/1B/P (.368, 44 R, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 26 SB); Sterling Hallman sr. IF/P (.330, 5 HR, 34 RBI); Jack Orlowski, sr. 3B/P/DH (.321, 11 2B, 6 HR, 34 RBI); Tyler Sarkisian, sr. P/OF/IF (3-1, 1.54 ERA, 63 K/50 IP).
Outlook: Brother Rice opened this season ranked No. 1 by the coaches association after making the Semifinals a year ago, but fell out of the list with a 7-7 start. The Warriors have won eight straight, with a District Final victory over No. 8 Birmingham Seaholm and Regional Final win over No. 5 Romeo among postseason highlights. Flores made the all-state second team last season and leads off a lineup that begins with four seniors and ends with five underclassmen. He will continue his career at University of Michigan, and Sarkisian will play at University of Chicago.
MACOMB DAKOTA
Record/rank: 21-16-1, unranked
Coach: Gerald Carley, ninth season (208-99-1)
League finish: Fifth in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has not appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Greg Guzik, soph. IF (.359, 25 R, 19 RBI, 11 SB); John Sovey, sr. IF/P (.324 20 R, 5-3 pitching, 2.60 ERA, 50 K/51 IP); Andrew Wouters jr. OF (.315, 25 R), Mike Biebuyck, sr. P (5-4, 2.60 ERA).
Outlook: Dakota is another team that was ranked early – the Cougars have regular-season wins against Brother Rice and Romeo to their credit – but also played in a league with three teams ranked among the top 17 in Division 1 heading into Districts. They got past a big obstacle with reigning Division 1 champ Grosse Pointe South in the Super Regional Final – GPS beat Dakota three times during this regular season and also in last year’s Quarterfinal matchup. This will be Dakota’s first trip to the Semifinals and comes as the team is riding an 8-2-1 wave.
PORTAGE NORTHERN
Record/rank: 37-7, No. 2
Coach: Chris Andrews, 19th season (492-208)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2015.
Players to watch: Zach Quinn, sr. OF/P (.434, 44 R, 36 RBI, 13 SB, 2-0 pitching, 0.82 ERA); Nolan McCarthy, jr. SS/P (.430, 45 R, 13 2B, 48 RBI, 16 SB); Cam French, sr. P/1B (10-0, 1.26 ERA, 49 K/61 IP, .301, 23 RBI); Tyler Helgeson, sr. OF/P (.355, 50 R, 30 SB, 27 RBI, 4-3 pitching, 2.12 ERA, 40 K/33 IP).
Outlook: Portage Northern emerged from a Super Regional that included top-ranked Brownstown-Woodhaven, No. 15 Saline and No. 18 Grand Ledge and has won 22 of its last 23 games. The lineup is junior heavy and loaded with hitters: juniors Greg Lapetina (.390, 42 R, 31 RBI, 13 SB), Gannon Andrews (.402), Jack Beffel (.441), Parker Brey (.387, 37 RBI) and Malcolm Gaynor (.344) also stick out as the team hits .373 as a whole. Sophomore Xander Morris (9-0, 1.44) gives Northern another ace as well. Helgeson will continue his career at Eastern Michigan University.
ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 27-9, No. 10
Coach: Matt Vriesenga, fifth season (124-50)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2011.
Players to watch: Joe Kelley, sr. OF (.409, 34 R, 10 2B, 10 HR, 43 RBI); Alex Miller, sr. OF (.371, 18 R, 13 SB); Zach Schamp, sr. OF (.324, 34 R, 21 RBI); Zach Marshall, sr. P/OF (.318, 8-4 pitching, 2.25 ERA, 83 K/62 1/3 IP).
Outlook: The Rams will play in the Semifinals for the first time since that championship season in 2011, and Vriesenga previously led Grand Rapids Christian to a Division 2 runner-up finish in 2005. Rockford has won 12 of its last 13 games since a regular-season defeat to Byron Center, which it avenged in the Regional Final. Kelley is an incredible story – as reported by the Grand Rapids Press, he broke the school’s home run record this season after being cut as a junior. He’s one of six seniors in the starting lineup, and senior Grant Martin (6-1, 1.36) is the team’s second-winningest pitcher. Sophomore Luke McLean (5-1, 2.06) is another important arm.
Division 2
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 26-10, unranked
Coach: Tim MacKinnon, third season (54-43)
League finish: Second in O-K Blue
Championship history: Class B champion 1985, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Myles Beale, jr. SS/P (.330, 42 R, 10 2B, 30 RBI, 41 SB); Joe Collins, sr. P/3B (.420, 6-3 pitching, 1.08 ERA, 50 K/51 2/3 IP); Ben Joppich, sr. P/OF (8-1, 0.73 ERA, 75 K/67 IP); Kyle Tepper, jr. CF/P (.378, 29 R, 15 SB, 2-1 pitching, 2.63 ERA).
Outlook: GRCC owns a 28-7 combined margin of victory over five postseason games including wins over No. 3 East Grand Rapids, No. 4 Holland Christian and reigning Division 2 champion Stevensville Lakeshore in the Super Regional Final. MacKinnon, who previously coached East Kentwood from 2005-15 and overall has a 256-186-2 record, took this program from 13-18 his first season to two wins from the title in his third. Senior Jack Nawrocki is another big contributor, hitting .342 from the clean-up spot and going 6-1 with a 2.19 ERA on the mound, and junior Zach Grabowski (.407) and senior Luke Passinault (.330, 10 2B) are two more key bats in the middle of the lineup.
MUSKEGON OAKRIDGE
Record/rank: 26-7, unranked
Coach: Brandon Barry, 27th season (499-286)
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Koleman Wall, sr. P/SS (.461, 30 R 13 2B, 30 RBI, 8-2 pitching, 1.07 ERA, 129 K/73 IP); Ethan Miller, soph P/1B (.375, 6-1 pitching, 1.06 ERA, 43 K/41 2/3 IP); Kolbe Stewart, jr. LF (.347, 25 RBI, 18 SB); TJ Ruel, sr. P/1B (5-0, 2.15 ERA, 55 K/40 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Oakridge won its fifth Regional title this decade and will play in the Semifinals for the first time since 2011 after beating No. 10 Essexville Garber in the Super Regional Final. Wall came back from injury to shine in that game and has had an all-around stellar season, while Ruel was an all-state pitcher as a junior and with Miller provides intriguing options should Oakridge advance to Saturday. Junior shortstop Austin Fairchild has seen the mound in 10 games, and with a 0.23 ERA also could provide some solid help during the final weekend.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 32-9-2, No. 2
Coach: Matt Petry, ninth season (181-128-2)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Dillon Kark, sr. IF (.352, 33 R, 26 RBI); Alex Mooney, soph. IF (.444, 48 R, 15 2B, 42 RBI, 21 SB); Logan Wood, jr. P (9-0, 1.16 ERA 128 K/72 2/3 IP); Nolan Schubart, fr. OF (.393, 25 R, 13 2B, 42 RBI).
Outlook: St. Mary’s finished Division 2 runner-up in 2015 and made the Semifinals a year ago, and has the pitching in particular to take on anyone this weekend. Wood was an all-state first-team selection a year ago, and he’s joined by freshman Brock Porter (8-2, 1.20 ERA, 78 K) and juniors Anthony Fett (6-3, 1.53 ERA, 79 K) and Mikey Gall (4-2, 2.43 ERA) on a strong staff. Kark also was an all-state first-team selection last season and is one of six regulars hitting at least .323. Senior Harrison Poeszat (.323, 32 R, 30 RBI) and freshman Jack Crighton (.379, 10 2B) with Schubart fill out the middle of the lineup.
TRENTON
Record/rank: 32-9, No. 15
Coach: Todd Szalka, 12th season (283-157-1)
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Championship history: Class B champion 1994.
Players to watch: Adam Wilding, jr. P/IF (.458, 43 R, 25 2B, 38 RBI, 22 SB, 5-2 pitching, 2.77 ERA); Jay Solano, sr. P/IF (.427, 33 R, 11 2B, 27 RBI, 12 SB, 4-1 pitching, 2.00 ERA); Kyle Richey jr. P/1B (10-3, 1.09 ERA, 92 K/71 IP); Gabe Cavazos, jr. P/OF (.425, 32 R, 31 RBI).
Outlook: Trenton is playing in its first Semifinal since 2001 and riding a 10-game winning streak. Another reason for excitement is this team has only three seniors – but makes up for any tournament inexperience with assistants Gary Szalka and Bob Jones, who have a combined 90 years of coaching experience in varsity baseball; Szalka ranks 20th all-time with 648 wins from his 37 seasons at Melvindale (1971-2009). Trenton finished second in its league only to Division 1 top-ranked Brownstown Woodhaven. Junior Brenden Donovan (.387, 41 R) and sophomore pitcher Micah Ottenbreit (8-1, 1.32 ERA, 83 K) are others who are likely to play big roles this weekend.
Division 3
GLADSTONE
Record/rank: 29-7, No. 13
Coach: Kelly Shea, first season (29-7)
League finish: First in Great Northern Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Carson Shea, sr. P (.429, 22 SB, 10-1 pitching, 0.63 ERA); Cooper Cavadeas, sr. C (.378, 23 RBI); Cody Frappier, sr. RF (.382, 30 R, 29 RBI); Daniel Martin, sr. DH (.347, 36 R, 28 RBI, 25 SB).
Outlook: Gladstone is back at the Semifinals for the second straight season and fifth time in six years. The Braves have won 13 of their last 14 games and advanced with a Super Regional Final victory over No. 7 Beaverton. Frappier and Carson Shea were among key cogs on last season’s Semifinals team as well, and junior shortstop Zach Hanson (.346, 19 SB) is another impact bat from the lead-off spot and also is 4-1 on the mound. Kelly Shea formerly coached the junior varsity and as a varsity assistant before taking over the program this spring.
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 23-9, No. 4
Coach: Dan Cimini, 16th season (438-99)
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League AA
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Billy Kopicki, sr. SS/P (.411, 25 R, 15 2B, 24 RBI, 16 SB, 2-1 pitching, 2.10 ERA); Alec Azar, sr. P (.357, 11-3 pitching, 1.46 ERA, 104 K/91 IP); Logan King, sr. P/OF (.365, 17 2B, 28 RBI, 6-2 pitching, 2.42 ERA, 73 K/63 2/3 IP); Drew Zelenak, jr. P/OF (.325, 19 RBI).
Outlook: After two seasons playing in Division 1, Liggett is back in Division 3 and a contender for its fifth championship this decade after winning Division 3 in 2014 and 2016 and Division 4 in 2011 and 2013. Azar was an all-state first-team selection in Division 1 last season and this spring one of just five seniors – although all five start. Four losses were to teams either ranked in Division 1 at the end of the regular season or playing in the Semifinals on Thursday, and Liggett has wins over Brother Rice, Portage Northern and Grosse Pointe South among other larger programs. Kopicki will continue his career at Miami University at Ohio.
HOMER
Record/rank: 31-3, No. 6
Coach: Scott Salow, 19th season (559-128)
League finish: Second in Big 8 Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2006), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Zach Butters, sr. P/UTY (. 419, 36 R, 10 2B, 41 RBI, 10 SB, 9-1 pitching, 1.16 ERA, 75 K/60 1/3 IP); TJ VanderKuyl, jr. SS/P (.377, 38 R, 21 RBI, 23 SB, 5-1 pitching, 2.00 ERA); Jacob Wilson, jr. P/OF (.393, 36 R, 19 RBI, 10-1 pitching, 0.82 ERA, 103 K/59 2/3 IP); Kyle Compton, sr. 2B (.449, 38 R, 25 RBI, 10 SB).
Outlook: Homer will follow its third Quarterfinal this decade with its first trip back to the Semifinals since 2006. The Trojans have earned their way with their last three wins over No. 5 Ann Arbor Greenhills, No. 12 Michigan Center and No. 16 Blissfield, and they beat Division 2 No. 6 Edwardsburg during the regular season. Butters made the all-state second team as a pitcher last season, and six pitchers total have at least one win for Homer this spring. Nine regulars are hitting .323 or better; seniors Seth Deigert (.364, 40 RBI) and Gabe Farmer (.356, 34 RBI) and sophomore Damaso LeBron (.351, 40 R) also are main run producers.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record/rank: 31-2, No. 1
Coach: Mark Rademacher, 35th season (554-325)
League finish: Tied for first in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1991.
Players to watch: Anthony Pohl, sr. C (.376, 28 RBI); Brendan Thelen, sr. P/OF (.381, 36 R, 19 SB, 14-0 pitching, 0.73 ERA, 101 K/77 IP); Keegan Smith, jr. P/IF (.410, 29 R, 25 RBI); Tanner Wirth, fr. OF (.441, 35 R, 31 RBI, 18 SB).
Outlook: Pewamo-Westphalia has followed its first Regional title since 1991 with its first trip to the Semifinals since that runner-up season and built its highest win total in Rademacher’s 35 seasons leading the program. The Pirates shared their league title with Portland St. Patrick, top-ranked in Division 4 at the end of the regular season, and their only losses were to the Shamrocks and Division 1-ranked Grand Ledge. Junior shortstop Ethan Thelen is another significant contributor, hitting .351 from the fifth spot, and junior third baseman Ethan Smith is hitting .329 from clean-up and is 11-1 with a 1.55 ERA on the mound.
Division 4
DECATUR
Record/rank: 32-6, No. 5
Coach: Ben Botti, 25th season (543-241-1)
League finish: First in Southwest 10 Conference
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2012), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jakob Southworth, sr. P/1B (.438, 38 R, 11 2B, 27 RBI, 17 SB, 12-1 pitching, 0.93 ERA, 103 K/67 2/3 IP); Travis Hunsberger, sr. P/OF (.301, 33 R, 25 RBI, 14 SB, 8-3 pitching, 1.47 ERA, 79 K/57 IP); Benjamin Cerven, jr. 2B (.388, 46 R, 11 2B, 24 RBI, 28 SB, 3-0 pitching, 0.00 ERA); Justin Gale, sr. IF/P (.410, 29 R, 13 2B, 43 RBI, 16 SB, 1-0 pitching, 0.68 ERA).
Outlook: Decatur will play in its first Semifinals since finishing Division 3 runner-up in 2014, and this team has made significant strides with the program’s first league title since 2016 while continuing a District streak that now stretches nine seasons. The Raiders have won 17 straight games, with postseason victories over No. 12 Kalamazoo Christian, No. 14 Three Oaks River Valley and No. 18 Colon highlighting the run. The team has only four seniors, but they are high-impact – in addition to Hunsberger, Southworth and Gale mentioned above, shortstop Garrett Smith is hitting .354 from the nine spot in the lineup, another of eight regulars at .300 or higher from the plate.
GAYLORD ST. MARY
Record/rank: 26-5, No. 7
Coach: Matt Nowicki, 15th season (268-171)
League finish: First in Ski Valley Conference
Championship history: Class D runner-up 1988 and 1989.
Players to watch: Drew Koenig, jr. P/C (.400, 10 2B, 37 RBI, 11-4 pitching, 2.56 ERA, 95 K/71 IP); Brady Hunter, jr. CF (.427, 47 R, 10 2B, 33 RBI, 25 SB, 3-0 pitching, 1.88 ERA); Andrew Zielinski, jr. 3B (.356, 39 R, 25 RBI, 14 SB, 2-0 pitching, 1.57 ERA); Alex Pudvan, jr. 1B (.356, 35 RBI).
Outlook: St. Mary is making its fourth straight trip to the Semifinals. This team is led in part by Koenig, an all-state first-team selection as a pitcher last spring, and junior Joseph Moeggenberg (9-0, 1.48 ERA) could take the mound Saturday if the Snowbirds reach their first Final. St. Mary has scored double-digit runs in 13 games this season, including four of five during the playoffs and 14 runs against No. 16 Norway in the Super Regional Final. Moeggenberg (.347) and junior shortstop Steven Koscielniak (.330, 33 R) are two more run producers for a team hitting .335 as a whole.
PETERSBURG SUMMERFIELD
Record/rank: 26-4, No. 3
Coach: Travis Pant, fifth season (87-69)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Derek Clark, jr. P/OF (.494, 44 R, 52 SB, 12-0 pitching, 0.22 ERA, 105 K/63 IP); Ethan Eyler, soph. RF (.418, 31 R, 37 RBI, 18 SB), Mark Keller, sr. 1B/P (.415, 34 R, 11 2B, 26 RBI, 10 SB); Brendan Dafoe, jr. SS (.402, 32 R, 18 SB).
Outlook: Summerfield took a step from last season’s Quarterfinal loss to make the Semifinals for the first time this spring, in part on the strength of a pitching staff led by Clark but also including sophomore Brock Olmstead (6-1, 0.76 ERA) and junior Brandon Tyler (4-0, 0.48 ERA). Clark made the all-state first team last season, and Dafoe made the second. They help drive an offense that has outscored its six postseason opponents by a combined 75-2 – including an 11-0 win over No. 15 Marine City Cardinal Mooney in the Super Regional Final. What’s more, Keller is the team’s only senior starter.
SAGINAW NOUVEL
Record/rank: 14-16-1, unranked
Coach: Shawn Larson, second season (33-26-1)
League finish: Sixth in Tri-Valley Conference West
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2005), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Justin Osmond, jr. IF (.418, 25 R, 27 SB); Brady Alverson, soph. IF/P (.378, 24 R, 11 2B, 27 RBI); Harrison Dwan, jr. CF/P (.344, 30 R, 36 SB), Jacob Burr, sr. P/IF (3.16 ERA).
Outlook: Nouvel has been in the mix plenty over the years, most recently making the Semifinals in 2012 in Division 3. However, this has been an incredible run. Nouvel so far this tournament has eliminated No. 8 and reigning champ Beal City, No. 11 Marlette and No. 19 Bay City All Saints, a memorable send-off for five seniors who all play significant roles and important experience for a team that should return its top hitters in 2020.
PHOTO: Portage Northern ace Cam French winds up during his team’s Super Regional win over Brownstown Woodhaven on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of the Portage Northern baseball program.)