1977 Baseball, Softball Finals Full of Firsts
June 5, 2017
By Ron Pesch
Special for Second Half
This season’s MHSAA Baseball and Softball Finals will be played in two weeks, June 15-17 at Michigan State University.
As we begin to turn our attention to that grand finale for the school year, MHSAA historian Ron Pesch takes on a recollection of the diamond championships in both sports from 1977.
That season’s baseball playoffs were the seventh under MHSAA sponsorship, while softball was in its third season as an MHSAA tournament sport.
BASEBALL
CLASS A – Four of coach Pat O’Keefe’s Grand Ledge baseball teams have advanced to the final game in the MHSAA’s top division since the start of tournament play in 1971. A standout athlete at Standish-Sterling High School, Central Michigan University and in the minor leagues in the Houston Astros organization, O’Keefe has led two Comets squads, the 2001 and the 1993 teams, to MHSAA runner-up finishes. Grand Ledge grabbed Class A championship honors in 1995, but it was the first title, earned in June of 1977, that caught everyone by surprise.
After opening the season with three victories and a single defeat, Grand Ledge dropped their next four games in a row before rallying to a 14-6 regular-season mark and a third-place finish in the Capital Area Conference. Behind solid pitching, O’Keefe saw his team’s bats come alive in the postseason. Tim Skinner had three hits, scored twice and had a pair of RBI in District games with Owosso and Brighton. With six straight tournament wins, Grand Ledge advanced to Saturday morning’s Semifinal contest at Valley Field in Grand Rapids against Sterling Heights and its pitching ace, Rick Lemanski, who was unbeaten in 12 games. Ranked No 2 in the state by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association, Sterling Heights loaded the bases with two out in the fourth inning, but a pop up to first baseman Scott Kemp ended the rally. With one out, the Stallions threatened again in the fifth with runners at second and third, but the rally ended when a missed sign on a suicide squeeze resulted in a strikeout and a tag out at third, ending the inning. Following a one-out double to center, junior Mike Dyer scored the game’s only run on a play at the plate in the eighth inning to win the contest. Craig VanDerSteen picked up the win for Grand Ledge, striking out 11.
Against top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central, the unranked Comets scored twice in the second inning, three times in the fourth and once in the fifth. Craig Dukes struck out two and scattered seven hits to secure the victory for Grand Ledge, while Dyer drove home three runners, scored, and sparkled defensively from the shortstop position.
“He played like a major leaguer, and he comes through in clutch spots like nobody I’ve ever seen.” said O’Keefe. Entering the 2017 season, his 49th as skipper at Grand Ledge, O’Keefe stood atop the MHSAA’s career coaching wins list with 1,221 victories against 208 defeats and a single tie.
CLASS B – In Class B, Gibraltar Carlson pounded out a 7-1 victory over No. 1-ranked Harper Woods Bishop Gallagher. Played at Stanley O. Broome Park in Flint and delayed until Monday due to rain, the game saw the Marauders score twice in the first inning. Southpaw Craig Smith, who struck out eight in a four-hit performance, singled and then scored on Kirk Williams’ triple. Williams scored to give Carlson a 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Kelly Mousseau. The Marauders scored again in the second inning when Gary Southerland singled then scored on a Brett Kahn triple. Williams notched his second triple of the game in the third, scoring the first of four runs in the inning. Following a Mousseau walk, Mark Shallhorn singled to drive in both runners. Another single by Southerland drove home Shallhorn, and following a groundout, he scored on a single by Kahn.
“This was undoubtedly the finest season in his 24 years of coaching for (John) LeFevre,” stated The Associated Press when it named him Class B all-state Coach of the Year. “He led Gibraltar-Carlson to a 28-7 record which were personal bests for most wins and winning percentage.”
CLASS C – Like O’Keefe, Blissfield’s Larry Tuttle began his coaching career in 1968. Number two on the all-time baseball win list, a mere seven wins back, Tuttle and his Royals earned their first Class C MHSAA baseball crown in 1973, then grabbed their second in 1976. At Marshall High School in 1977, Blissfield became the first Class C baseball team to repeat as champions, downing Center Line St. Clement by a score of 4-2. Trailing 2-1 headed into the fifth inning, Blissfield’s Jim DeVantier singled, stole second and third base, then scored on a wild pitch to knot things up. A bases-loaded walk to Bud Friess followed to give the Royals the lead. An insurance run in the seventh, scored by Steve Cannon on another wild pitch, gave Dave Pagel the win. Pagel, a two-time all-state selection headed to Central Michigan University, struck out seven and allowed four hits on the day. Friess also pounded out a two-run triple in Blissfield’s 5-0 win over Sanford-Meridian in the morning’s Semifinal. Mike Burgermeister went the distance for the Semifinal victory. The Royals finished the year with a 28-2 mark. St. Clement, Class C champion in 1972 and 1974, ended with a 28-8 record.
CLASS D – Mark Kelley struck out 15 in leading Ann Arbor St Thomas to a 4-3 win over Frankfort in a Class D Semifinal, then in the title game pitched the final two innings in relief to earn the win in St. Thomas’s come-from-behind 10-9 clincher over top-ranked Potterville. The games were played at Alumni Field in Mt. Pleasant. Trailing 7-4 headed into the top of the seventh inning, the Irish scored six runs on five hits, including a two-run single by Tom Dishman and a two-run double by Mike Stork to take a 10-7 lead. Potterville scored twice in its final at bat to pull within one run of the lead. With the bases loaded and one down, Kelley managed to retire the next batter with a pop-up to short, then struck out the final batter for the victory. Starting pitcher Gary Farmiloe, ousted from the title game after two innings, went 2 for 3 and scored the winning run in the Semifinal game versus Frankfort, then went 3 for 4 at the plate against Potterville with two singles and a double. St. Thomas, 5-11 at one point during the season, finished with a 15-12 record.
SOFTBALL
CLASS A – Senior Karen Searles tossed a two-hitter in Portage Central’s 10-0 victory over Temperance-Bedford in a Class A Semifinal, then allowed five hits in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Flint Carman to clinch the championship. The Mustangs opened a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-run single by Kim Barnes. Searles, who finished the year with a perfect 20-0 record, gave up three walks and a pair of hits in the sixth, including a two-run single by Kim Lancaster as Bedford rallied to tie the game. In the bottom of the seventh, an error allowed Karen Frank to reach first base with one out. Sacrificed to second, she scored on Sandy Surch’s third hit of the game. The Final was hosted at Memorial Field in East Detroit.
CLASS B – At Henry Robinson Park in Ionia, Roxanne Abramouski picked up her 31st victory without defeat as Grosse Ile downed South Haven, 5-3, for the Class B title. Grosse Ile opened a 3-0 lead in the first inning as Shawn Perry reached first on an error and scored following a double by Ann Perrault. A single by Allison Smith scored Perrault, while Smith later scored on another error. Patty Silye singled home a pair of runs in the fifth, expanding the lead to 5-0, before South Haven cut the margin to two with three runs in the sixth inning. A semifinalist in 1976, Grosse Ile finished the year with a flawless 33-0 record and 0.75 ERA. Abramouski continued her playing career at Ferris State, where she still ranks among the school’s pitching leaders in various categories.
“I would say it has been a pretty good year for girls athletics at South Haven,” said coach John Yelding. Earlier in the year, the Rams also finished Class B runner-up in volleyball.
CLASS C – DeWitt’s Cindy White fired a four-hitter, then went 4 for 4 at the plate to lead coach Debbie Boyd’s Panthers to a 12-5 thumping of Center Line St. Clement in the Class C championship played at Ella Sharpe Park in Jackson. White drove in five runs in the contest, notching a triple, a double and a pair of singles as DeWitt picked up its first MHSAA championship in any sport. St. Clement took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but the Panthers exploded for five runs in the third, two in the fifth and five more in the sixth for a 12-1 lead entering the seventh. DeWitt downed Niles Brandywine, 7-1, earlier in the day to advance to the title game. The championship was especially sweet for Coach Boyd, who had announced prior to the tournament that she would step down after five years at the helm.
CLASS D – Allendale senior Ruth Crowe tossed a pair of two-hitters as the Falcons downed Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, 10-0, in the morning’s Semifinal, then defeated Custer Mason County Eastern, 8-0, at Fink Field in Fowler. Allendale, top-ranked in Class D, scored early and often, tallying six runs in the first inning as Mason County Eastern allowed 11 hits and five unearned runs on the day. Deb McBurnett doubled to right-center in the second inning and scored on a Weez Stelland single for a 1-0 lead. Three errors, a walk and a bunt single by Crowe pushed the margin to four in the third inning. Another run on errors came in the fifth, and with two out in the sixth inning, five consecutive singles combined with errors allowed three more runs to score. Allendale ended the year with a 22-2 record, while Mason County Eastern wrapped up the season at 19-3.
Ron Pesch has taken an active role in researching the history of MHSAA events since 1985 and began writing for MHSAA Finals programs in 1986, adding additional features and "flashbacks" in 1992. He inherited the title of MHSAA historian from the late Dick Kishpaugh following the 1993-94 school year, and resides in Muskegon. Contact him at [email protected] with ideas for historical articles.
PHOTOS: (Top) The Lansing State Journal on June 19, 1977, touted Grand Ledge’s first MHSAA baseball championship. (Middle) The DeWitt softball team won its first MHSAA title in any sport that spring. (Top photo courtesy of the Lansing State Journal, bottom photo from MHSAA archives.)
Preview: Softball's End-of-Season Celebration Could Include 1st-Time Champs
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 14, 2023
The final weekend of this softball season could feature at least a few first-time championships celebrations.
Of 16 teams playing at Michigan State's Secchia Stadium this weekend, 10 are seeking their first Finals title and eight have never reached the championship game.
Of the remaining six teams, only two have won Finals this century.
Those two, however, are regulars Unionville-Sebewaing and Richmond, which both rank among the top 10 all-time in softball title game appearances.
Division 1 – Thursday
Grand Blanc vs. Brownstown Woodhaven, 3 p.m.
Hartland vs. Lake Orion, 5:30 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Vicksburg vs. Richmond, 10 a.m.
Gaylord vs. Dearborn Divine Child, 12:30 p.m.
Division 3 – Friday
Standish-Sterling vs. Ravenna, 3 p.m.
Laingsburg vs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 5:30 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart vs. Unionville-Sebewaing, 10 a.m.
Johannesburg-Lewiston vs. Mendon, 12:30 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 12:30 p.m.
Division 2 – 10 a.m.
Division 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Division 4 – 3 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 (with statistics through Regional Finals):
Division 1
BROWNSTOWN WOODHAVEN
Record/rank: 34-4, No. 10 (tied)
Coach: Ken Kroll, second season (69-10)
League finish: Tied for first in Downriver League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ella Thomas, sr. 2B (.431, 47 R, 13 2B, 30 RBI); Ariel Krueger, soph. SS (.467, 58 R, 18 2B, 36 RBI); Grace Usher, jr. P/OF (.409, 36 RBI, 17-3 pitching, 1.46 ERA, 155 K/124 1/3 IP); Grace Walker, jr. 3B (.548, 43 R, 10 2B, 36 RBI).
Outlook: After winning a District title last season – Kroll’s first leading the program – Woodhaven has taken an even more sizable step in advancing to its first Semifinal. Along the way, the Warriors defeated honorable mention Temperance Bedford and No. 9 Saline – and a regular-season split with No. 3 Allen Park was a good indicator this was possible. Seven regulars are hitting at least .400, with freshman Mia Taylor (.436, 41 R), senior Lindsay Marlewitz (.428, 34 RBI) and junior Brooke Taylor (.406, 34 R) also among top contributors. Sophomore Danielle Couture has split pitching with Usher and entered the week 14-1 with a 1.40 ERA.
GRAND BLANC
Record/rank: 35-4-1, No. 6
Coach: Jami Neubecker, seventh season (152-61-3)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Sydney Long, sr. P (20-1 pitching, 0.85 ERA, 272 K/131 2/3 IP, .474, 13 2B, 40 RBI); Carson Kuhlmann, sr. C (.466, 50 R, 12 2B, 36 RBI, 14 SB); Katelyn DeWitt, jr. 3B (.603, 60 R, 18 2B, 15 HR, 77 RBI); Kayla Blumenschein, fr. 2B (.420, 11 2B, 32 RBI).
Outlook: Grand Blanc has won four straight league and two consecutive District titles, with the Regional championship the program’s first since 2006. The Bobcats defeated honorable mention DeWitt and No. 7 Jenison on their way to MSU. Long made the all-state first team last season, and Kuhlmann earned honorable mention. They have plenty of help; notably, Katelyn DeWitt is set to reach the MHSAA record book for single-season doubles, homers and RBI, and juniors Audrey Kranz (.389, 36 R, 29 RBI) and Jaclyn Garvey (.378, 50 R, 17 SB) also bolster the top six in the lineup.
HARTLAND
Record/rank: 33-4-1, No. 5
Coach: Taylor Wagner, fifth season (115-24-2)
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and overall
Championship history: Class A champion 1996, Division 1 runner-up 2018.
Players to watch: Kate McIntyre, jr. 1B (.457, 37 R, 11 2B, 40 RBI); Sadie Malik, soph. C (.350); Kylie Swierkos, sr. P (.359, 13 2B, 20-1 pitching, 0.81 ERA, 241 K/155 2/3 IP); Abby Gardner, sr. OF (.342, 30 R, 11 2B).
Outlook: Hartland has won two District, three league and two Regional titles in four seasons under Wagner, not counting canceled 2020, and advanced this time thanks in part to a Regional Final win over No. 4 Farmington Hills Mercy. The losses were pretty impressive too, including one each to top-ranked Dakota and Division 2 top-ranked Gaylord. All four of the team's seniors start, including also Faith DeLanoy at third base and Riley Phillips at second.
LAKE ORION
Record/rank: 33-6, honorable mention
Coach: Joe Woityra, 14th season (371-115-2)
League finish: Second in Oakland Activities Association Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final
Players to watch: Rylee Limberger, soph. P (.333, 20-4 pitching, 1.07 ERA, 156 K/131 1/3 IP); Sydney Bell, jr. 2B (.488, 49 R, 10 2B, 31 SB); Jada Lopez, soph. P (.465, 30 RBI, 9-2 pitching, 2.30 ERA); Anna Gardner, jr. 3B (.491, 41 R, 16 2B, 45 RBI).
Outlook: Lake Orion had previously won two Regional titles, but has followed its third with its first trip to the Semifinals. The Dragons scored double-digit runs their first three playoff games and then upset top-ranked Macomb Dakota 2-1 in the Regional Final before posting their third shutout of the tournament against Utica Ford. Senior Avery Case (.371) earned an all-state honorable mention last season, and the future is bright as there is only one senior starter anticipated this weekend. Sophomore Addy Dukus (.454, 11 2B) and juniors Ellie Britt (.448, 11 2B, 34 RBI), Maddie Eckert (.431, 42 R) and Alexis Hazen (.420) all are key contributors as well to a .418 team batting average.
Division 2
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Record/rank: 28-7, unranked
Coach: Regina Dunn, eighth season (128-84)
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Class B champion 1975, Division 2 runner-up 1998.
Players to watch: Savina Olada, sr. 3B/OF; Avery Schellenberger, sr. SS; Alexis Hansen, soph. OF; Jessica Nelson, soph. P/3B/1B. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Divine Child was last at the Semifinals in 2018, and this time advanced with four double-digit shutout wins and then an 11-3 victory over honorable mention Trenton in the Quarterfinal. The Falcons finished second in the Catholic League Central only to Division 1 No. 4 Farmington Hills Mercy, which it challenged well in three losses. Three more defeats came to Division 2 top-ranked Gaylord and two ranked Division 1 teams. Sophomore Katherine Modrzewjewski and senior Isabella DePaulis also are top contributors.
GAYLORD
Record/rank: 37-2, No. 1
Coach: Tony Vaden, first season (37-2)
League finish: First in Big North Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Alexis Kozlowski, sr. 3B/1B (.587, 60 R, 23 2B, 12 HR, 62 RBI, 23 SB); Aubrey Jones, soph. P/SS (.482, 54 R, 15 2B, 17 HR, 60 RBI, 10-1 pitching, 1.07 ERA, 83 K/58 2/3 IP); Jayden Jones, jr. P/SS (.429, 37 R, 34 RBI, 9-1 pitching, 0.29 ERA); Taylor Moeggenberg, jr. C (.517, 12 2B, 9 HR, 44 RBI).
Outlook: The majority of this team also brought Gaylord to the Semifinals in 2021 as freshmen and sophomores, and the Blue Devils have played many of the state’s best on the way back with losses only to Division 1 top-ranked Macomb Dakota and No. 5 Hartland. Of the team’s 37 wins, 24 have been shutouts; junior Avery Parker (11-0, 1.70 ERA) and senior Abby Radulski (6-0, 0.00) join the Jones sisters on a dominating staff. Kozlowski has signed with Ferris State, Jayden Jones has committed to Virginia Tech and Aubrey Jones has multiple major Division I offers already, and a number of teammates also are committed to college programs. Juniors Braleigh Miller (.445, 47 R, 24 SB), Parker (.439, 45 R, 14 2B, 30 RBI), Hali Lenartowicz (.426, 33 R) and Alexis Shepherd (.417, 55 R, 18 2B, 34 RBI – committed to Toledo) help fill out a lineup that’s been almost unstoppable. Kozlowski and Jayden Jones made the all-state first team last season, and Moeggenberg earned an honorable mention.
RICHMOND
Record/rank: 29-9, honorable mention
Coach: Howard Stuart, 45th season (1,128-329)
League finish: Third in Blue Water Area Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Liz Shuboy, jr. IF (.370, 39 RBI), Piper Clark, sr. IF/P (.600, 61 R, 15 2B, 53 RBI, 20 SB), Katie Shuboy, soph. P/IF (16-4 pitching, 1.60 ERA, 179 K/114 IP); Ashley Stafford, soph. C/IF (.480, 30 R, 45 RBI)
Outlook: Richmond has won three straight Regional titles and has returned to the Semifinals this time in Division 2 after missing in Division 3 a year ago. The Blue Devils advanced with a Quarterfinal win over No. 9 Frankenmuth after previous tournament victories over honorable mentions St. Clair and Detroit Country Day, and after they finished third in the powerful BWAC to Divison 3 No. 2 Algonac and No. 3 Almont. Clark, the lone senior, and Katie Shuboy made the all-state first team in Division 3 last season. Freshman Emma Bambrick (.356, 12 2B) is another promising hitter.
VICKSBURG
Record/rank: 40-3-1, No. 6
Coach: Paul Gephart, 10th season (296-94)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2016.
Players to watch: Brooklyn Ringler, jr. OF (.484, 75 R, 13 2B, 59 RBI); Peyton Smith, jr. 2B (.500, 58 R, 19 2B, 58 RBI); Maddison Diekman, jr. SS (.535, 81 R, 10 2B, 38 RBI, 28 SB); Delaney Monroe, jr. 3B (.474, 66 R, 12 2B, 16 HR, 76 RBI).
Outlook: The 2016 run started a collection of titles that have included three league, five District and now a second Regional championship over the last seven seasons. Pitcher Kennedy Davis is the only senior slated to start the Semifinal, and she entered the week 17-0 with a 2.58 ERA while splitting pitching duties with junior Audrie Dugan (18-2, 2.89). Ringler earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is joined in the lineup by additional .400 hitters sophomore Ella Luegge (.427, 61 R, 37 RBI, 27 SB) and freshman Kayla Chisholm (.420, 43 R, 43 RBI).
Division 3
LAINGSBURG
Record/rank: 36-6, No. 7
Coach: Jeff Cheadle, 18th season (406-217)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class D champion 1978.
Players to watch: Ashley Bila, jr. SS (.518, 74 R, 10 2B, 25 RBI, 42 SB); Haley Konieczny, sr. OF (.400, 49 R, 38 RBI); Addyson Buchin, soph. P (.390, 14 2B, 46 RBI, 34-5 pitching, 1.36 ERA, 248 K/206 1/3 IP); Savanna Stirm, fr. 1B (.434, 36 R, 42 RBI).
Outlook: Laingsburg’s Regional title was its first since 1978, and the Wolfpack had been on the verge entering this spring with seven District titles over the last 10 seasons before winning a third-straight earlier this month. Cheadle is approaching 900 wins total after previously coaching nearly two decades at Lansing Everett, and he has only two seniors on the roster but six freshmen including four who start. Bella Latuszek is among them, hitting .393, with 43 runs, 11 doubles and 53 RBI, and freshman Harper Strouse (.346, 37 R, 35 RBI) and junior Ella Merrell (.337, 40 R) provide pop at the bottom of the order.
OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
Record/rank: 36-4, honorable mention
Coach: Matt VanBrandt, fourth season (106-14)
League finish: First in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1987), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Shaylin Alexander, jr. IF/C (.462, 49 R, 17 SB); Unity Nelson, jr. P/2B (.337, 32 RBI, 21-0 pitching, 0.43 ERA, 277 K/131 2/3 IP); Alyssa VanBrandt, sr. SS (.629, 60 R, 10 3B, 35 SB); Patrina Marsh, sr. OF (.394, 43 R, 10 2B, 31 RBI).
Outlook: Last season's Division 4 runner-up is back but in Division 3, returning all-state first teamers Nelson and Alyssa VanBrandt among six starters from last season's championship game hitting lineup. Juniors Kaydence Sheldon (.392, 38 RBI) and Karlei Conard (.337, 10 2B, 33 RBI) are two more, along with Alexander and Marsh, and Conard also entered the week 14-4 with a 2.44 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 77 1/3 innings pitched. Whiteford advanced this time with a Quarterfinal win over No. 2 Algonac and also defeated honorable mention Clinton and No. 8 Grass Lake on the way to East Lansing.
RAVENNA
Record/rank: 36-5, honorable mention
Coach: Dave Sherman, seventh season
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference Rivers
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Emma Gillard, sr. P/SS (.619, 83 R, 12 2B, 10 3B, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 51 SB, 15-2 pitching, 1.41 ERA, 99 K/84 1/3 IP); Addison Gillard, soph. P/1B (.491, 46 R, 15 2B, 48 RBI, 23 SB, 14-3 pitching, 1.25 ERA, 110 K/83 2/3 IP); Emma Herremans, soph 3B (.657, 63 R, 21 2B, 8 3B, 70 RBI, 28 SB); Kara Postema, sr. C/CF (.491, 64 R, 10 2B, 54 RBI, 31 SB).
Outlook: Ravenna is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2005 driven by a lineup that’s put up incredible numbers this spring – the Bulldogs’ 485 runs rank fourth all-time, their 102 doubles entering the week were tied for seventh, their 393 RBI ranked third and their 244 stolen bases were fourth in MHSAA history. Ravenna put up a combined 20 runs over its last two wins against No. 4 Buchanan and No. 6 Grandville Calvin Christian. Freshmen Emily Postema (.434, 58 R, 33 SB) and Riley Homoly (.352, 40 R, 43 RBI, 21 SB) and junior Kendra Denhof (.413, 39 R, 38 RBI) also are major contributors. Herremans made the all-state first team last season.
STANDISH-STERLNG
Record/rank: 36-7, No. 10
Coach: Rich Sullivan, ninth season (188-129-1)
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference Blue
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Lexi Mielke, sr. IF (.562, 70 R, 31 2B, 58 RBI, 24 SB); Keeley Peace, fr. IF (.434, 64 R, 12 2B, 49 SB); Macey Fegan, sr. OF (.454, 44 R, 19 2B, 60 RBI); Devri Jennings, sr. P (25-2 pitching, 1.49 ERA, 236 K/173 1/3 IP, 36 RBI)
Outlook: After reaching the Semifinals in 2019 for the first time, Standish-Sterling is making its third appearance in four seasons (not counting canceled 2020). The Panthers have navigated one of the toughest paths to MSU with playoff wins over top-ranked Evart, No. 5 Gladstone and honorable mentions Clare and Kingsley along the way. Fegan made the all-state first team last season, and Mielke earned honorable mention and entered the week ranked second on the record book single-season doubles list. They and Jennings are the only seniors; freshman Jaylynn Yenna (.365, 17 2B, 38 RBI) and sophomore Sami Kopasz (.394) are among other top contributors.
Division 4
JOHANNESBURG-LEWISTON
Record/rank: 30-3-1, honorable mention
Coach: Kim Marlatt, eighth season (130-51-1)
League finish: First in Ski Valley Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Gloria House, sr. CF (.426, 48 R, 22 SB); Jocelyn Tobias, sr. 3B (.469, 39 R, 32 RBI, 27 SB); Jayden Marlatt, jr. P (.663, 74 R, 18 2B, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 22 SB, 18-1 pitching, 1.40 ERA, 220 K/110 IP); Reagan Sides, jr. C (.516, 50 R, 21 2B, 47 RBI, 18 SB).
Outlook: Johannesburg-Lewiston will play its first Semifinal since 1981, continuing a run that’s included wins over honorable mention Indian River Inland Lakes and No. 5 Hillman. The Cardinals also are coming off a third-straight league title. Jayden Marlatt made the all-state first team last season and is one of four junior starters bolstering two seniors who also provide experience at the top of the lineup. Junior Cassie Tallman (.415, 36 R, 40 RBI, 25 SB) is another challenge for opponents at the plate and on the base paths, and sophomore Chloe Ferguson has thrown valuable innings in the circle as well with an 11-1 record and 2.16 ERA heading into this week.
MENDON
Record/rank: 34-5, No. 2
Co-coaches: Steve Butler & Mike Smith, sixth seasons (133-39)
League finish: First in Southwest 10 Conference
Championship history: Class D runner-up 1992.
Players to watch: Lauren Schabes, sr. P/LF (.487, 58 R, 40 RBI, 27 SB, 15-1 pitching, 1.12 ERA, 177 K/99 2/3 IP); Mattea Bingaman, fr. CF (.433, 29 R, 35 RBI, 14 SB); Jadyn Samson, fr. SS (.434, 58 R, 31 RBI, 46 SB); Kaidee Gonser, soph. C (.406, 34 R, 12 2B, 52 RBI).
Outlook: This is another underclassmen-dominated team having championship-caliber success, as Mendon has just two seniors and no juniors but 11 sophomores and freshmen. Schabes earned an all-state honorable mention last season as the team won its second of now three-straight District titles. This playoff run has included wins over No. 7 Three Oaks River Valley and honorable mention Fowler, and the Hornets made a statement early with wins over No. 4 Holton, No. 5 Hillman and honorable mention Inland Lakes at Holton’s Tournament on April 15. Rowan Allen (.419, 49 R, 24 SB) is another talented hitter and entered the week 12-3 with a 1.64 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 85 innings in the circle.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 33-9, honorable mention
Coach: Josh Wheaton, sixth season (115-61)
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ellery Garver, soph. SS (.620, 49 R, 15 2B, 62 RBI); Kallie Smith, soph. 1B (.462, 47 R, 13 2B, 40 RBI); Savannah Jones, fr. P/3B (.352, 37 RBI, 15-4 pitching, 2.65 ERA, 106 K/103 IP); Mairin Wheaton, fr. P/3B (.498, 43 R, 12 3B, 32 RBI, 16-4 pitching, 3.26 ERA, 185 K/126 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Sacred Heart is making a second-straight Semifinal appearance but also enjoying an underclassmen-driven surge with only two seniors and two juniors, and a pair of freshman pitchers helping to set the pace. Making that even more impressive is the Irish haven’t given up a run over five postseason games, including Tuesday’s Quarterfinal win over Lake Leelanau St. Mary. Garver earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is the leading hitter for a lineup with four regulars over .400 – Eliza Pieratt joins Garver, Wheaton and Smith at .405 with 10 doubles and 29 RBI heading into this week.
UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING
Record/rank: 31-10, No. 1
Coach: Marc Reinhardt, first season (31-10)
League finish: First in Greater Thumb Conference West
Championship history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Gabriella Crumm, jr. C (.420, 45 R, 10 2B, 30 RBI); Olivia Jubar, sr. 1B (.486, 55 R, 10 2B, 40 RBI); Rylie Betson, jr. P/3B (.427, 50 R, 13 2B, 34 RBI); Jenna Gremel, jr. LF (.396, 43 R, 32 RBI).
Outlook: With a fourth-straight championship, USA would tie the Harper Woods Regina teams of 2004-07 for second on the consecutive titles list. Seven starters are back from last season’s championship game, with Jubar and Crumm all-state first teamers last year and Gremel earning an honorable mention. USA has mostly cruised through the postseason with four wins by a combined score of 34-6, but saw its share of strong competition this spring with seven losses to teams showing in the final Division 1, 2 or 3 rankings. Sophomore Natalie DeGroat (.411, 32 R, 34 RBI), senior Hanna Wood (.400, 32 R, 32 RBI) and junior Ella Neumann (.380, 47 R, 10 2B) are among others putting up big numbers.
PHOTO Vicksburg’s Peyton Smith connects with a pitch during her team’s 6-3 District Semifinal win over Otsego. (Photo by Gary Shook.)