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.)
Preview: Contenders Predicted & Unexpected to Converge at Baseball Finals
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 13, 2023
This weekend’s MHSAA Baseball Semifinals & Finals at Michigan State’s McLane Stadium will present the usual mix of highly-ranked contenders and a surprise or two in three of the four playoff divisions.
And then there’s the phenomenon that’s played out in Division 1 over the last two weeks.
All four remaining challengers among the state’s largest baseball schools entered the postseason unranked. They then navigated a path that saw every top-20 team eliminated on the way to the final three games of the season.
Three more unranked teams – two in Division 4 and a third in Division 3 – also will play this weekend, while top-ranked contenders Grand Rapids Christian in Division 2 and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in Division 3 anchor those brackets and a pair of top-four teams fill half the remaining Division 4 field.
Division 1 – Thursday
Brownstown Woodhaven vs. Macomb Dakota, 9 a.m.
Novi vs. Mattawan, 11:30 a.m.
Division 2 – Friday
Grand Rapids Christian vs. Flint Powers Catholic, 9 a.m.
Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett vs. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 11:30 a.m.
Division 3 – Thursday
Algonac vs. Lansing Catholic, 2:30 p.m.
Bridgman vs. Standish-Sterling, 5 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep vs. Beal City, 2:30 p.m.
Rudyard vs. Plymouth Christian Academy, 5 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 9 a.m.
Division 2 – 2:30 p.m.
Division 3 – 11:30 a.m.
Division 4 – 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $11 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
BROWNSTOWN WOODHAVEN
Record/rank: 31-11, unranked
Coach: Corey Farner, eighth season
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2018.
Players to watch: Jacob Wright, jr. OF/P (.375, 30 R, 10 2B, 25 RBI, 13 SB, 1.76 ERA); Gary Pilgrim, jr. OF/C (.328, 40 R, 26 SB); Jace Davis, soph. IF (.322, 16 SB); Evan Langlois, sr. P/IF (.301, 26 RBI, 7-2 pitching, 0.96 ERA, 96 K/65 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Woodhaven has won 20 of its last 22 games and reached 30 victories total for the fourth time in five seasons. The latest streak has included a playoff win over No. 15 Allen Park and regular-season victory over Division 2 No. 17 Trenton – the former avenging a regular-season sweep and the latter completing one. Senior Tyler Harris (7-2, 1.45 ERA) and junior Jimmy Chwalek (3-0, 1.65) also have done good work on the mound, and senior Nick Phillips (.323) brings another potent bat slotting third in the lineup.
MACOMB DAKOTA
Record/rank: 26-12-2, unranked
Coach: Angelo Plouffe, first season
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Charlie Chmielewski, sr. IF (.386, 27 RBI); Alex Kavalick, sr. C (.414, 12 2B, 37 RBI); Brendan Borowicz, sr. OF (.446, 24 SB); Will DeMasse, sr. IF/P (.397, 30 RBI, 5-2 pitching).
Outlook: Dakota nearly reached its first Final during its most recent Semifinals trip in 2019, losing in extra innings, and a senior-dominated lineup has the Cougars back riding a run that’s included wins over No. 11 Sterling Heights Stevenson, a spoiler in Lake Orion and 2021 champion Grand Blanc. The anticipated hitting lineup this weekend includes seven seniors. Junior Landon Moore adds a .375 average, team-high 33 runs and 17 stolen bases, and sophomore pitcher Brendan Przybycki is 6-0 with a 1.64 ERA this spring.
MATTAWAN
Record/rank: 25-11-1, unranked
Coach: Brett Vaughn, second season (50-24-1)
League finish: Seventh in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Brendan Garza, jr. P/IF (.321, 26 R, 29 RBI, 18 SB, 8-2 pitching, 1.52 ERA, 91 K/60 IP); Connor Walsh, jr. SS (.379, 34 R, 17 SB); Connor Cole, sr. OF (.343, 32 R, 18 SB); Josh DeJong, jr. P (7-0 pitching, 1.10 ERA).
Outlook: Mattawan might seem like a surprise heading to East Lansing, but the Wildcats played a loaded regular-season schedule and have outscored six playoff opponents by a combined 58-7. That started with a 23-3 District win over No. 17 Portage Northern, which avenged a regular-season sweep, and included a Regional win over No. 6 Zeeland East. Mattawan also has victories over No. 11 Sterling Heights Stevenson and Division 2 No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian, No. 2 Stevensville Lakeshore and No. 8 Forest Hills Eastern. Senior Aiden Warn (.340, 30 R, 31 RBI) is another top hitter in the middle of the lineup.
NOVI
Record/rank: 30-8, unranked
Coach: Rick Green, 23rd season (513-304)
League finish: Fifth in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1973.
Players to watch: Jonathan Aurilia, soph. OF/P (.446, 18 SB); Brendon Bennett, jr. P/1B (.406, 30 RBI, 6-2 pitching), Andrew Abler, sr. P/1B (.333, 7-3 pitching, 1.02 ERA); Thad Lawler, jr. OF/P (7-0 pitching, 0.74 ERA)
Outlook: Novi won its first Regional title since Green’s first season in 2000 and will play in its first Semifinal since 1973 – and despite having only three seniors toppled No. 3 Northville, No. 16 Hartland and No. 7 Battle Creek Lakeview over its last three games. The Wildcats had split with Hartland and were swept by Northville during the regular season. Sophomore Jaden Vondrasek (.327, 13 SB) and junior Boden Fernsler (.323, 16 SB) also are capable of causing some discomfort on the base paths, and senior Alex Czapski (5-1, 1.72 ERA) is another top contributor from a deep pitching staff.
Division 2
ADA FOREST HILLS EASTERN
Record/rank: 32-8, No. 8
Coach: Ian Hearn, eighth season (203-75)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2022.
Players to watch: Max Ferrick, soph. OF/P (.395, 35 R, 11 2B, 37 RBI, 12 SB); Brendan Thompson, soph. IF (.362, 38 R, 31 RBI, 19 SB); Matt Stotts, jr. C/IF (.380, 37 RBI); Jacob Pallo, sr. P/IF (.339, 11 SB, 10-0 pitching, 0.49 ERA, 70 K/57 IP).
Outlook: Five starters return from last season’s championship game lineup – Thompson, Ferrick, Pallo, Stotts and senior outfielder Collin Fridsma (.300, 42 R, 25 SB). Senior Evan Tower (.365) provides another big bat, with senior Walker Brockie (8-0, 0.95 ERA) and sophomore Landen Lindley (6-2, 2.17 ERA) able to step in strongly on the mound as well. This playoff run has included a pair of 2-0 Regional shutouts of No. 5 Bay City John Glenn and No. 16 Allendale. Hearn total has won 635 games over 25 seasons and also led Rockford to the Division 1 title in 2011.
FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 33-8-2, No. 4
Coach: Tom Dutkowski, 41st season (836-530-10)
League finish: Third in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Class B champion 1980 and 1974.
Players to watch: Grant Garman, jr. P/1B (.450, 23 RBI, 12-1 pitching, 0.43 ERA, 116 K/65 2/3 IP); Isaac Sturgess, jr. OF/P (.402, 52 R, 11 2B, 44 RBI, 13 SB, 5-2 pitching, 1.12 ERA); Connor Kelly, jr. SS/P (.396, 34 R, 40 RBI, 5-2 pitching, 1.00 ERA); Gavin Darling, jr. 3B (.357, 12 2B, 25 RBI, 10 SB).
Outlook: Garman and Sturgess both made the all-state first team last season and headline a contender that starts only two seniors as it makes its first Semifinal trip since 1984. The Chargers put up an impressive 43 runs over their first five postseason games, with senior Jack Dawley (.398, 32 R, 26 RBI, 14 SB) and juniors Luke Dupuis (.386, 31 R) and Fischer Hendershot (.396, 25 RBI) also among team offensive leaders. Dutkowski is tied for eighth among winningest baseball coaches in state history.
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 34-5, No. 1
Coach: Brent Gates, 11th season (296-87)
League finish: First in O-K White
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2013), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Cam Seth, sr. IF/P (.370, 38 R, 22 SB, 4-3 pitching, 1.90 ERA); Ty Uchman, sr. IF/P (.482, 48 R, 9 3B, 52 RBI, 17 SB, 8-0 pitching, 1.50 ERA); Kyle Remington, sr. IF/P (.435, 59 R, 12 2B, 28 RBI, 26 SB, 9-0 pitching); Jackson Isaacs, jr. OF (.380, 43 R, 41 RBI, 26 SB).
Outlook: Grand Rapids Christian finished Division 2 runner-up last season and returns seven starters this weekend from that championship game lineup including pitcher Seth. Remington and Isaacs made the all-state first team last spring, the former now one of six seniors in this weekend’s anticipated starting lineup. The Eagles followed up a Regional Final win over No. 2 Stevensville Lakeshore on Saturday with a Quarterfinal victory over No. 11 Olivet, putting up double-digits in the latter – Christian’s 17th game this season scoring 10 runs or more.
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 25-11, No. 3
Coach: Dan Cimini, 17th season (513-137)
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jarren Purify, sr. SS (.446, 43 R, 14 2B, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 24 SB); Reggie Sharpe, jr. 2B/P (.395, 32 R, 11 SB, 5-2 pitching, 2.80 ERA); Oliver Service, sr. C (.392, 38 R, 10 2B, 8 HR, 37 RBI, 12 SB); Preston Barr, jr. P (.347, 35 RBI, 5-1 pitching, 1.47 ERA).
Outlook: After winning the Division 3 championship in 2021 and losing in last year’s District to eventual runner-up Detroit Edison, Liggett made the jump to Division 2 this spring and has as much star power as any team playing this weekend. Purify made the all-state first team last season and will continue at Clemson, Service made the all-state second team and will continue at Texas, and senior Jack Jones will play next for Michigan State. Senior Jake Martin is another key bat (.320, 31 RBI), and senior Joey Randazzo (7-3, 3.00 ERA) is expected to take the hill for the Semifinal.
Division 3
ALGONAC
Record/rank: 36-3, No. 1
Coach: Scott Thaler, seventh season (142-85-6)
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Brandon Williams, sr. OF (.348, 34 RBI); Tyler Schultz, sr. IF/C (.397, 42 R, 30 RBI, 17 SB); Evan Saddler, jr. C/OF (.321, 48 R, 31 SB); Josh Kasner, jr. P/IF (.378, 51 R, 37 RBI, 21 SB, 10-0 pitching, 0.68 ERA, 130 K/72 IP).
Outlook: Algonac is making its first trip to the Semifinals thanks in part to a 5-3 Regional Final win over No. 4 Ecorse, and with its only losses to ranked teams in Division 2. The Muskrats have a returning all-state first-team ace in Kasner, but plenty of pitching to fill out the weekend as well with sophomore Bryce Simpson (6-0, 1.18 ERA) and seniors Andrew Thomason (8-1, 1.56) and Noah Maniaci (5-0, 1.82) also in the rotation this spring. Four players have at least 20 stolen bases, and the team has 149 total – one shy of making the MHSAA record book.
BRIDGMAN
Record/rank: 31-9, No. 16
Coach: Justin Hahaj, 11th season (218-107)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore
Championship history: Class D champion 1987, two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Alec MacMartin, jr. P/SS (.349, 50 R, 27 RBI, 10 SB, 11-2 pitching, 1.99 ERA, 73 K/70 1/3 IP); Reid Haskins, sr. OF/P (.411, 46 R, 27 RBI, 32 SB, 5-1 pitching, 1.07 ERA); Charlie Pagel, soph. 1B/P (.398, 34 R, 15 2B, 43 RBI, 7-4 pitching, 2.42 ERA); Cooper Allwood, fr. 3B (.409, 34 R, 28 RBI).
Outlook: The Bees are a combined 84-20 over the last three seasons and making their first Semifinal trip since 2013 while on a string of 16 wins over their last 17 games. They have three one-run victories during the tournament, including 10-9 over No. 15 Niles Brandywine in the District Final. Eight of 13 players are seniors; the other five are sophomores and freshmen. Sophomore Wade Haskins (.398, 30 R, 35 RBI) and senior Tanner Peters (.347) also help fill out a potent lineup.
LANSING CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 23-5, No. 8
Coach: Randy Farlin, seventh season (95-42-1)
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference White
Championship history: Class C champion 1996, Division 3 runner-up 2012.
Players to watch: Drew Tolfre, soph. P/OF (8-0 pitching, 0.52 ERA); Daniel Shipman, sr. P/IF/OF (.458); Drew Diehl, jr. P/C (7-2 pitching, 1.11 ERA); Drew Burlingame, sr. P/C (.352).
Outlook: Lansing Catholic is making its first Semifinals trip since the runner-up season of 2012, having navigated an impressive set of playoff opponents including No. 4 North Muskegon, No. 12 Pewamo-Westphalia, No. 14 Watervliet and No. 20 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian. The Cougars also swept No. 10 Jackson Lumen Christi during the regular season and have won 12 of their last 13 games.
STANDISH-STERLING
Record/rank: 29-14, unranked
Coach: Ryan Raymond, seventh season (169-64-3)
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference Blue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cody Bartlett, sr. P/OF (6-1 pitching, 0.88 ERA); Brayden Schabel, sr. OF (.364); Sam Briggs, soph. P/OF (.398, 44 R, 19 2B, 62 RBI, 8-0 pitching, 1.01 ERA, 73 K/55 1/3 IP); Cooper Prout, jr. IF/P (.485, 39 RBI, 5-0 pitching, 1.17 ERA).
Outlook: In its first Semifinal last season since 1976, Standish-Sterling went to extra innings – and the Panthers will return trying to make a first championship game despite graduating three all-state first teamers from that lineup. They earned the opportunity by defeating No. 9 Charlevoix in the Regional Final and No. 13 Gladstone in the Quarterfinal, and they entered the postseason coming off a split with Division 2 No. 5 Bay City John Glenn. This team has only four seniors total, but high hopes beyond this weekend with four sophomores and two freshmen in the expected lineup.
Division 4
BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 29-8, No. 4
Coach: Brad Antcliff, 11th season (337-72-5)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jack Fussman, sr. OF (.484, 50 R, 45 RBI, 25 SB); Blake Walcutt, fr. OF (.342, 34 R, 28 RBI, 14 SB); Cayden Smith, jr. P/SS (.400, 54, 36 SB, 5-2 pitching, 1.66 ERA); Josh Wilson, jr. P/1B (.466, 41 R, 11 2B, 48 RBI, 15 SB, 7-3 pitching, 2.01 ERA).
Outlook: Last season’s runner-up is led again by two-time championship-winning coach Antcliff, who directed the program from 2007-16 and returned this spring. The Aggies graduated five all-state honorees a year ago but did return Wilson, who joined four teammates on the first team last season. He’s second only to Fussman as Beal City has a .334 team batting average, and Aggies have put up a combined 53 runs over five postseason wins while giving up just four. That’s made more impressive given three of those wins were over No. 3 Fowler, No. 11 Maple City Glen Lake and No. 12 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
KALAMAZOO HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP
Record/rank: 24-14-1, unranked
Coach: Smiley Verduzco, third season (76-34-1)
League finish: Tied for third in SAC Valley
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2021.
Players to watch: Brooks Basler, soph. P/3B (5-4 pitching, 0.88 ERA); Andrew Rann, jr. 1B (.408, 36 RBI); Nick Verduzco, sr. SS (.525, 55 R, 19 2B, 42 RBI, 48 SB); Eli Backman, jr. IF (.415, 51 R, 31 SB).
Outlook: The 2021 champion didn’t advance past its first District game a year ago but stormed back this spring with a run that’s included victories over No. 6 Decatur and No. 20 Byon Center Zion Christian. The Irish ended this regular season losing three of their final four games, but have rebounded to outscore their five postseason opponents by a combined 45-10. Nick Verduzco made the all-state first team last season and will play next at Ashland; he’s one of only three seniors in the starting lineup. The team’s 183 stolen bases – and the Irish have been caught just 13 times – rank 11th all-time.
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Record/rank: 33-7, No. 2
Coach: Joe Bottorff, 16th season (221-117-2)
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Noah Etnyre, sr. C/IF/P (.540, 48 R, 22 2B, 46 RBI); Tyler Scott, soph. P/OF (.388, 28 RBI, 9-0 pitching, 0.80 ERA, 70 K/52 2/3 IP); Jordan Scott, sr. P/IF/OF (.496, 37 R, 12 2B, 54 RBI, 11-2 pitching, 1.97 ERA, 100 K/64 IP); Riley Brodhagen, sr. P/OF (.252, 34 R, 6-1 pitching, 1.26 ERA).
Outlook: After winning a sixth-straight District title and second Regional title over the last five seasons, Plymouth Christian will make its first trip to the Semifinals thanks to defeating No. 16 Royal Oak Shrine Catholic in a Quarterfinal. Etnyre made the all-state second team as a catcher last season and is one of five senior starters. Sophomore Micah Lavigne (.330, 32 R) and freshman Luke Janigian (.329, 26 R) are two more key bats at the bottom of the lineup; Lavigne also is 5-0 on the mound.
RUDYARD
Record/rank: 19-19, unranked
Coach: Billy Mitchell, third season (56-38)
League finish: Third in Straits Area Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Aiden Bickel, jr. IF/P (.458, 37 R, 32 SB, 6-2 pitching, 3.76 ERA); Kallan Lawlor, jr. OF/P (.299, 26 R, 18 SB); Cam Peterson, jr. IF/P (.450, 33 R, 29 RBI, 29 SB); Landen Mayer, jr. IF/P (.380, 31 R, 23 RBI, 24 SB).
Outlook: Rudyard is making a second-straight trip to the Semifinals, but this one was a little unexpected after graduating three all-state honorees and entering the postseason at 14-19. Nearly all of those losses came to larger schools including a handful from Divisions 1 and 2, and during the playoffs the Bulldogs have eliminated top-ranked Indian River Inland Lakes, No. 7 Painesdale Jeffers and No. 19 Mackinaw City. Peterson made the all-state second team last season and hits third in a lineup with just one senior.
PHOTO Novi’s Andrew Krummer takes a lead off first during his team’s Quarterfinal win Saturday over Battle Creek Lakeview. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)