New Coach, New Home, New Success for Irish
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
May 16, 2018
PONTIAC – Ryan Knutson is shocked by how well he and his teammates at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep played at the start of this season.
And the hope is that it will carry over to next month’s MHSAA Tournament.
The Irish were 8-22 a year ago and started this spring 16-0. Notre Dame Prep is 21-4 with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, and the optimism is high that the run won’t end in District play as it has for the past 21 seasons. The Irish have won one District title in the 24 years that the school has been open, in 1996.
Over the past seven seasons, Notre Dame Prep has won a combined six District games.
“The team morale is up, and we bonded as a team,” Knutson said. “I credit the new coaching staff. Going to Florida over spring break helped us bond. It was during that streak – we had some close games – that the team-bonding paid off.”
Jason Gendreau spent 10 seasons as head coach at Utica Eisenhower, with some success. The Eagles won District titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015. The 2015 season also included a 2-1 victory over Birmingham Brother Rice in a Division 1 Regional Semifinal.
Although he’s not looking back, Gendreau, who continues to teach in the Utica school system, said it was not an easy decision to make when he accepted the position at Notre Dame Prep last June.
“(Eisenhower) is loaded with depth,” he said. “Then there’s all the relationships you build over the years. You know what they say. When a coach leaves, 50 percent are pleased, 50 percent are unhappy.”
Pardon Gendreau if he chuckles now and then about the idea of being a coach at Notre Dame Prep. As a child his favorite team was Notre Dame, the one in South Bend. Nothing was better than watching the Irish playing football on a Saturday afternoon.
Add to this another tale of coincidence, or magic, if you will. One of his mentors is Bob Lantzy, the longtime football coach at Eisenhower who recently completed his second season as head football coach at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek. Lantzy was an all-state running back at Harper Woods Notre Dame in the early 1960s and, when Gendreau was hired at the other Notre Dame, Lantzy dusted off his green and gold jersey and hung it on a wall in his house.
For two seasons in the early 2000s Gendreau was an assistant football coach under Lantzy. Something clicked during that brief period and the two have remained good friends over the years.
“Bob and I talk just about every night,” Gendreau said. “He was my mentor (as a coach), but more importantly he’s been my mentor in life.
“You see, I played football at Belding and grew up answering to (then coach) Irv Sigler. There are no more polar opposites than Irv and Bob. Plus, you throw in the west side and how they approach football. The approach is very different. Irv was the ultimate motivator and got in your face. I tried to coach like that when I got to Ike. It didn’t work. Bob molded me.”
Gendreau was well aware he was taking over a program that had experienced limited success, when it was a member of the Detroit Catholic League and now as an independent. That didn’t matter to him. He knew the athletes he was about to coach were well-disciplined. Teach them the fundamentals, let them have some fun (the Florida trip was a first for this group) and maybe they could win a few more games.
“Lantzy told me opportunity is not time-related,” Gendreau said. “A big thing was, I was able to bring my entire staff over. As far as scheduling, having a lot of relationships with Oakland and Macomb County coaches I was able to schedule competitive schools that were bigger. We played Sterling Heights Stevenson. We played Troy and Troy Athens. We went to Birch Run to play in a tournament with just nine guys because of prom. We made it to the final and lost to Ann Arbor (Gabriel) Richard.
“Plan? I don’t know if we had one, but our goal was to finish .500. We felt comfortable with that. We didn’t want to get beat up. Usually it takes 2-3 years to build a winner. It happened a lot sooner. Part of it is our staff understands our role. We have athletes who are hungry. They’re loyal to one another.”
Notre Dame Prep lost just two seniors last spring to graduation but even so, Knutson said he was surprised by the tremendous start.
He pointed to two factors that keyed the impressive start, and they’re related. One is the defense.
“It’s a main focus,” he said. “Defense is one of the most consistent things of our team. When your defense works, you don’t need as many runs to win. Then on offense you will look to move runners along, trying to get that extra base.”
The second is fundamentals. Knutson said Gendreau and his staff emphasize the finer points of the game: when to bunt, what pitch to look for in certain counts and just an overall awareness of the game.
Even when the offense isn’t producing, defense is a part of the game the Irish can count on. In a weekend series at Lake Orion in late April, Knutson said the team crushed the ball in victories over the host team and Ann Arbor Skyline. The next weekend Notre Dame Prep struggled at the plate and resorted to playing small ball.
The pitching has been consistent as well. River Shea, Jack Kraussman and Jacob Genord have combined for a 17-2 record, and each has an ERA of 2.10 or lower.
There are no superstars on this team. Just two of the eight seniors will go on to play in college. Infielder Brian Blakeslee will attend John Carroll University in Cleveland and play soccer and baseball. Outfielder Tommy Cavanaugh will attend Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, to play baseball.
Knutson, who leads the team in hitting (.448), said he doesn’t plan on playing at the next level and, instead, will attend Michigan State with the intent on majoring in engineering.
“It was hard last year,” he said. “I am so thankful the (new) staff has come in and we’ve been able to make some noise.
“It was that way in football, too. We surprised people by reaching a District Final. It’s kind of similar in baseball. We’re the underdogs. It kind of fueled us.”
***
Gendreau said coaching at a large school like Eisenhower has its drawbacks. One is the fact a coach must make cuts. Another is it’s the coach’s responsibility to take care of the field. That takes time.
A bonus for Gendreau was the facilities at Notre Dame Prep. In what is nearly a mirror of what previously was added at Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, the field at Notre Dame Prep is all turf. No dirt. Not even in the infield. Gendreau said even the bullpen area is turf.
When one considers the often brutal weather conditions in Michigan, having a turf field at your disposal removes a lot of headaches as far as field preparation, postponements and rescheduling.
“They finished that this past winter,” he said. “When I took the job, I was expecting a grass field.”
Tom Markowski is a columnist and directs website coverage for the State Champs! Sports Network. He previously covered primarily high school sports for the The Detroit News from 1984-2014, focusing on the Detroit area and contributing to statewide coverage of football and basketball. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Pontiac Notre Dame Prep players huddle on their new field this season. (Middle) Notre Dame Prep catcher Ryan Knutson looks to his dugout. (Below) The current Irish and 1972-73 alums stand together during the field dedication this spring. (Photos courtesy of the Pontiac Notre Dame Prep baseball program.)
Preview: Fantastic Finals Trips Await for 16 Title Contenders
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 10, 2026
Frequent visitors to Michigan State’s McLane Stadium for MHSAA Baseball Finals weekend know how special the experience can be. And we have a pair of those joining us over the next three days in reigning Division 3 champion Traverse City St. Francis and annual contender Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
But we’ll also hopefully deliver some breathtaking moments to several communities for the first time – or first time in a long time.
Two teams will play in Semifinals this weekend for the first time, and a handful more for the first time in at least a decade. Six more teams are hoping to play in a championship game Saturday for the first time.
Ten of this weekend’s 16 semifinalists are seeking their first Finals championship in this sport – and three of the six teams that have won in the past are seeking their first title in at least 20 years.
This weekend's schedule is as follows:
Division 1 – Friday
Detroit Catholic Central vs. Mattawan - 2:30 p.m.
Rochester Adams vs. Brownstown Woodhaven - 5 p.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Vicksburg vs. Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills - 9 a.m.
Orchard Lake St. Mary's vs. Dearborn Divine Child - 11:30 a.m.
Division 3 – Thursday
Detroit Edison vs. Kalamazoo Christian - 2:30 p.m.
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest - 5 p.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Royal Oak Shrine Catholic vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart - 9 a.m.
Marcellus vs. Painesdale Jeffers - 11:30 a.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 5 p.m.
Division 2 – 9 a.m.
Division 3 – 11:30 a.m.
Division 4 – 2:30 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.
Below is a glance at all 16 teams taking the field:
Division 1
BROWNSTOWN WOODHAVEN
Record/rank: 34-5-1, No. 3
Coach: Corey Farner, 12th season (338-90-3)
League finish: First in Downriver League
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2018 and 2023.
Players to watch: Cameron Thorning, jr. C (.446, 13 2B, 52 RBI); Lucas Farner, jr. IF/P (.426, 55 R, 32 RBI, 20 SB, 4-1 pitching, 0.97 ERA); Dante Perry, sr. OF (.429, 47 R, 30 SB); Tristan Spencer, soph. 1B/P (.346, 10 2B, 36 RBI, 8-1 pitching, 0.98 ERA, 70 K/50 IP).
Outlook: After falling a win short of the Semifinals last season, Woodhaven is back thanks in part to defeating No. 1 Brother Rice in Saturday’s Regional Final and also league rival No. 19 Allen Park earlier in the tournament. Woodhaven with one more victory also can tie its winningest season (2019) during Farner’s highly-successful run leading the program. Senior Keden Newsted is another ace for the Warriors entering this weekend 8-1 with a 1.53 ERA, and junior Amauri Gutierrez is 4-0 with a 2.69 ERA and a pair of saves. Junior Aaron Scott (.393) can be counted on for a boost at the bottom of the lineup.
DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 27-12, No. 6
Coach: Ryan Rogowski, sixth season (138-96)
League finish: Fourth in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1999), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Bennett Thompson, sr. 2B/C (.380, 27 R, 10 2B); Dylan Fairchild, sr. SS/P (.333, 32 R, 12 2B, 8 HR, 33 RBI); Andrew Mahoney, sr. P (8-1, 1.32 ERA, 81 K/53 IP); Micky Laser, sr. P/3B (8-0, 1.98 ERA).
Outlook: Detroit Catholic Central is making its first Semifinal appearance since 2004 and has defeated No. 16 Novi and No. 20 Dexter along the way after navigating a league that included top-ranked Brother Rice and Division 2 No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. The Shamrocks have won 12 of their last 14 games. Seven regulars total are hitting at least .300, with sophomore Luke Fairchild (.357, 25 R, 16 SB) and seniors Tommy Maxwell (.357) and Owen Geisler (.351) all among the leaders right behind Thompson.
MATTAWAN
Record/rank: 29-8, No. 8
Coach: Brett Vaughn, 13th season (29-8)
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Patrick Dougherty, sr. OF (.431, 46 R, 25 SB); Nolan Jominy, sr. SS (.379, 40 R, 16 2B, 30 RBI, 18 SB); John Pelak, jr. OF (.372, 10 2B); Kaden Jominy, sr. P.
Outlook: Although seeking its first championship, Mattawan was at the Semifinals in 2023 and made the Regional Finals last spring before falling short. The Wildcats haven’t given up more than a run in any of six playoff games this spring, including their 3-1 Quarterfinal victory over No. 18 Byron Center, and total they’ve won 11 of their last 12 games. Seven seniors start, including as well outfielder/pitcher Liam Walsh (.367, 28 RBI), and Kaden Jominy will play next at Cornell. Junior Coleton Strong is another big bat in the middle of the lineup, hitting .336 with a team-high 36 RBI.
ROCHESTER ADAMS
Record/rank: 28-8, No. 4
Coach: Andrew Lamkin, 13th season (277-160-3)
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1995 and 1996.
Players to watch: Andrew Wozniak, sr. SS (.327, 31 R, 17 SB); Matt Toeppner, sr. OF/IF (.556): Brady Lindstrom, jr. P/IF (7-0, 1.46 ERA); Koltyn Watters, soph. OF (.398, 45 R, 11 2B, 30 RBI, 38 SB).
Outlook: Adams will play in its first Semifinal since the repeat run to the Class A championship game in 1996. Lamkin actually is in his second tenure running the program, having led the Highlanders from 1994-2003, returned as an assistant in 2011 and taken it back over in 2024. Toeppner, a Michigan State recruit, has been back only three weeks after hand surgery but also has scored 13 runs and stolen nine bases over 11 games. He and Watters both made the all-state first team last season. Adams topped No. 7 Oxford in the Quarterfinal, and a 3-2 win over No. 2 Romeo in the Regional Semifinal was one of three one-run victories this playoffs.
Division 2
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Record/rank: 29-6, No. 7
Coach: Jeremy Shay, fourth season (91-49)
League finish: First in Catholic High School League AA
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2010).
Players to watch: Andrew Ryan, sr. SS/P (.389, 52 R, 28 SB, 5-2 pitching, 2.25 ERA); Dallas Terski, sr. 1B/3B (.370, 34 RBI, 21 SB); Liam Gibbons, sr. P (6-1, 1.01 ERA, 62 K/48 1/3 IP); Kole Boike, soph. CF (.346, 35 R, 30 RBI).
Outlook: Divine Child has taken steps every season under Shay, finishing 15-20 his first season but then adding a District title in 2024, a league championship last spring and now a Regional Finals win and trip to the Semifinals after defeating No. 8 Williamston to advance. Seniors Ian Hall (6-1) and Mason Cubr (5-1) also have seen plenty of starts on the mound and provide the Falcons with more options this weekend. Junior Adam Garcia (.368, 27 RBI) is among five more regulars hitting at least .300. Shay played on Divine Child’s 2008 and 2010 Division 2 championship teams before starring at Bowling Green as well.
GRAND RAPIDS KENOWA HILLS
Record/rank: 35-2, No. 5
Coach: Todd VandenHeuvel, first season (35-2)
League finish: First in River Cities Alliance
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Will Fussman, jr. CF (.411, 48 R, 44 SB); Mason Peebles, sr. C/P (.423, 41 R, 14 2B, 8 3B, 56 RBI, 28 SB); Jack Stoddard, jr. 3B/P (.408, 41 RBI, 8-1 pitching, 1.97 ERA); Andrew Lake, sr. P (9-0, 0.40 ERA, 62 K/53 IP).
Outlook: Kenowa Hills is making its first Semifinals trip since 2015, continuing a tournament run that has seen wins against No. 11 East Grand Rapids, No. 20 Escanaba and No. 6 Standish-Sterling over the last three rounds. The Knights have won 19 straight games and have a solid set of impressive arms leading the staff this weekend with senior Keegan Garvin (9-0, 1.80 ERA) set to start the Semifinal. Senior shortstop Brennan Gustinis (.395, 50 R, 10 2B, 12 SB) is another dangerous bat in the leadoff spot. VandenHeuvel previously coached at Mona Shores, winning 217 games from 1995-2001.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 32-5, No. 1
Coach: Nick Di Ponio, ninth season (234-134)
League finish: First in CHSL Central
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Luke Crighton, sr. CF/SS/P (.457, 55 R, 39 RBI, 20 SB, 9-0 pitching, 1.21 ERA, 75 K/52 IP); Andrew Tribul, sr. C/IF (.376, 43 R, 45 RBI, 18 SB); Hudson Brzustewicz, sr. SS/P (.491, 56 R, 12 2B, 34 RBI, 6-1 pitching, 1.64 ERA, 52 K/34 IP); Derick Conrad, sr. C/IF (.427, 47 RBI).
Outlook: St. Mary’s has won 25 straight games and emerged from the same CHSL Central as Division 1 finalist Detroit Catholic Central, thanks in part to playoff wins over No. 4 Richmond and No. 10 Saginaw Swan Valley. Brzustewicz and Crighton were all-state first-teamers last season and are both the team’s leading hitters and top arms from a staff that has seen eight pitchers throw at least 17 innings and win two or more games this spring. Di Ponio led the Eaglets to Division 2 runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2009 during his first tenure with the program (2005-10) and three straight Regional titles since taking it back over in 2024. Senior outfielder Zach Essig (.357) also bolsters the middle of the lineup.
VICKSBURG
Record/rank: 30-7, No. 14
Coach: Brian Deal, 28th season (487-366-4)
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Graham Kubiak, jr. IF/P (.405, 37 R, 41 RBI, 25 SB, 3-2 pitching, 1.80 ERA); Mitchell Beyer, sr. IF (.426, 46 R, 17 2B, 44 RBI, 24 SB); Maddox Rosalin, sr. IF/P (.431, 15 2B, 39 RBI, 10 SB, 9-0 pitching, 0.72 ERA); Maguire Bowles, jr. OF (.450, 59 R, 13 2B, 32 RBI, 34 SB).
Outlook: Vicksburg also is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2015 and has put together its winningest season during Deal’s nearly three decades leading the program. A 3-0 Regional Semifinal win over No.18 Niles followed up a regular-season split between the two, and the Bulldogs also avenged an early loss to Paw Paw in the District opener and an 11-run loss to Coldwater with a 12-1 Quarterfinal victory. Three more regulars are hitting at least .300, led by junior Spencer Spicer (.338, 31 R), and sophomore Caden Chisolm (7-0, 2.28 ERA) gives Vicksburg another ace as eight pitchers total have made at least one start.
Division 3
DETROIT EDISON
Record/rank: 23-8, No. 4
Coach: Mark Brown, 10th season (210-104)
League finish: First in Charter School Conference
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2022.
Players to watch: Jamir Campbell, sr. P/SS (.408, 30 R, 26 SB, 6-1 pitching, 1.50 ERA, 60 K/55 IP); Elijah Hines, fr. OF (.357, 16 SB); David Hemphill III, sr. P/OF (.353, 8-2 pitching, 1.75 ERA, 72 K/71 IP); JonTae Wright, sr. IF (.393, 39 RBI, 13 SB).
Outlook: Edison is back at the Semifinals for the second time in three seasons (and third over the last five) after just missing a year ago, thanks to a 7-6 Quarterfinal win over No. 5 Jackson Lumen Christi. Campbell and Wright made the all-state first team last season and lead a lineup that has scored at least seven runs in 16 games. Junior Melvin Tennyson has been another key player in several ways, going 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA and hitting .318 with 19 stolen bases while leading off and playing center field. The Pioneers’ starting nine are a combined 116 for 128 on stolen-base attempts.
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 25-8, unranked
Coach: Russ Meyer, first season (25-8)
League finish: First in Southwest Athletic Conference Valley
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Jake Bonnema, jr. 2B (.437, 41 R, 34 SB); James Annen, jr. P/1B/OF (.370, 32 R, 5-2 pitching); Crosby Croel, jr. P/1B/3B (.411, 31 R, 13 2B, 35 RBI, 13 SB, 2-1 pitching); Jackson Herder, sr. P/OF (5-1, 2.33 ERA, .280).
Outlook: Kalamazoo Christian’s first trip to the Semifinals since 2014 will be the result of a dominating run for the unranked Comets, who have outscored their six postseason opponents by a combined score of 71-6. Meyer may be in his first season as the varsity coach but has been an assistant at Christian and K-Central and was promoted after a decade as the Comets’ junior varsity coach. Herder and third baseman Logan Bittle (.286, 4-1 pitching, 2.79 ERA) are the only seniors. Sophomore catcher Jace Rarick is another top run producer hitting .337 with 13 doubles and 31 RBI.
ROCHESTER HILLS LUTHERAN NORTHWEST
Record/rank: 28-6, No. 16
Coach: Russ Kouba, second season (53-14)
League finish: Second in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2004.
Players to watch: Jacob Kouba, sr. P/1B/OF (.455, 46 R, 14 2B, 41 RBI, 23 SB, 10-2 pitching, 1.06 ERA, 94 K/59 2/3 IP); Brennan Goebbel, jr. OF (.516, 44 R, 12 2B, 41 RBI, 40 SB); Nick Oberdier, sr. P/1B/3B (.344, 46 RBI, 4-2 pitching, 2.07 ERA, 64 K/44 IP); Landon Lindhurst, jr. OF/1B (.360, 17 SB).
Outlook: Lutheran Northwest earned its first trip to the Semifinals since 2006, a strong next step after also winning a District title in Russ Kouba’s first season leading the program. This lineup has only three senior starters, but they’re major contributors with pitcher/shortstop Ethan Wilks (.291, 15 SB, 6-1 pitching, 2.17 ERA, 52 K/38 2/3 IP) joining Jacob Kouba and Oberdier noted above. Sophomore catcher Josiah Kouba (.367) is among younger players who have stepped into prominent roles, and junior Rudy Hauss is a catalyst at the top of the order hitting .302 with 44 runs scored and 25 stolen bases.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 32-5, No. 1
Coach: Tom Passinault, 13th season (326-96)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2025), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Lanse Vos, jr. 1B/P (.438, 34 R, 7 3B, 32 RBI, 12 SB, 6-0 pitching, 1.50 ERA, 65 K/46 2/3 IP); Sam Wildfong, sr. C/P (.526, 41 R, 15 2B, 62 RBI, 14 SB, 5-1 pitching, 2.59 ERA, 69 K/43 1/3 IP); Tyler Thompson, sr. SS (.382, 51 R, 11 SB, 7-1 pitching, 1.63 ERA); Tyler Endres, sr. P/1B (.353, 9-2 pitching, 1.38 ERA, 82 K/50 2/3 IP).
Outlook: The Gladiators are pursuing a repeat with Wildfong a returning all-state first-teamer and Thompson a returning second-teamer, and total seven starters and both pitchers back from last year’s championship game. The team is anchored by eight seniors – including as well Braxton Lesinski (.326, 35 R, 36 RBI) – but sophomore Colton Peterson (.340, 41 R, 24 SB) and freshman John St. Peter (.340, 38 R, 19 SB) are also among top hitters. Endres got the pitching win and Vos closed last season’s Final after Wildfong threw a complete game in the Semifinal.
Division 4
PAINESDALE JEFFERS
Record/rank: 15-8, unranked
Coach: Joe Romano, first season (15-8)
League finish: Fourth in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has not played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Blake Heltunen, soph. 3B/P (.458, 22 SB); Brogan Turner, sr. P/CF (.424, 26 R, 31 RBI, 11 SB, 4-0 pitching, 1.66 ERA); Carson L’Esperance, fr. SS (.372); Pierce Johnson, jr. C (.326, 24 R, 17 SB, 3-1 pitching).
Outlook: Jeffers is making its first trip to the Semifinals as a talented group of athletes who have had success in other sports have brought it to the diamond as well. The Jets advanced with a 15-9 Quarterfinal win over No. 15 Norway and have scored 10 or more runs in all five of their postseason games. There are only three senior starters, but they bat among the top four – although Jeffers will play this weekend without a fourth senior, pitching ace Cameron Anderson (5-1, 1.99 ERA), a cross country Finals champion in the fall who was injured last weekend. Romano coached the Jets girls basketball team to a Class D runner-up finish in 1994.
MARCELLUS
Record/rank: 21-11, unranked
Coach: Christian Hutson, 11th season (143-138)
League finish: Second in Southwest 10 Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Seth Barrera, sr. IF/P (.392, 39 R, 14 2B, 16 SB, 6-4 pitching, 2.60 ERA, 67 K/59 1/3 IP); Eli Torres, sr. IF/P/C (.367, 31 RBI, 2-0 pitching); Abram Coffey, jr. IF/P (.684, 4-0 pitching, 1.31 ERA); Cale Hackenberg, jr. IF/P/C (.584, 44 R, 13 2B, 44 RBI, 19 SB, 7-3 pitching, 2.25 ERA, 114 K/53 IP).
Outlook: Marcellus also is making its first trip to the Semifinals, thanks to a 9-6 Quarterfinal win over No. 4 Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep and a pair of one-run Regional wins. Coffey made the all-state second team last season but has played only the last month after recovering for an injury – but he returned just in time to bolster a strong lineup that includes just two seniors. Hutson, who also coaches the girls basketball team, was a standout at Decatur and is the grandson of former softball coach Ron Swartz, who led Marcellus to a Class D title in 1986.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 36-4, No. 2
Coach: Earl Hartman, 43rd season (944-423)
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1996), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Noah Zeien, sr. 3B/P (.460, 66 R, 45 SB, 3-0 pitching, 0.54 ERA); Hank MacDonald, jr. C/1B (.442, 14 2B, 67 RBI); Brady Davis, sr. 1B/P (.536, 51 R, 14 2B, 48 RBI, 23 SB, 12-2 pitching, 0.52 ERA, 103 K/54 1/3 IP); Nate Siler, jr. SS/P (.457, 11 2B, 51 RBI, 13-1 pitching, 0.80 ERA, 134 K/70 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Sacred Heart has defeated No. 7 Fowler, No. 5 Fulton, No. 3 Beal City and No. 1 Portland St. Patrick during this first Semifinal trip since 1997, and Saturday’s 4-2 Quarterfinal win over the Shamrocks avenged a regular-season loss. Siler made the all-state first team last season and with Davis gives the Irish a powerful 1-2 punch on the mound. Senior center fielder Teegan Duffy (.422, 64 R, 37 RBI, 20 SB) is another big bat at the top of the lineup and has a team-high five triples as well.
ROYAL OAK SHRINE CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 26-8, No. 11
Coach: Dan Noble, 16th season (335-165-3)
League finish: Second in CHSL Intersectional
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up in 2003.
Players to watch: Nate Alba, sr. P/IF/OF (.286, 31 R, 31 RBI, 11-2 pitching, 1.40 ERA, 170 K/84 2/3 IP); Caydin Barbato, sr. P/IF (.444, 50 R, 21 SB); Luke Robinson, fr. P/1B/OF (.385, 35 R, 31 RBI, 21 SB, 3-1 pitching, 2.71 ERA); Sean Murphy, sr. P/C/UTY (.468, 40 R, 17 2B, 43 RBI, 17 SB, 7-3 pitching, 2.62 ERA, 85 K/58 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Shrine won its second Regional championship in four seasons over the weekend, and didn’t give up a run over its first four postseason games until edging Allen Park Cabrini 11-10 in the Quarterfinal. The Knights bounced back from a brief four-game skid midseason to win their last nine, and they’ll bring plenty of pitching to MSU including as well junior Owen Bellows (5-1, 2.91 ERA). Senior Blake Archibald (.333) is another solid bat at the top of a lineup that’s hitting .305 overall this spring.
PHOTO (Top) Traverse City’s St. Francis’ Matthew Kane (25) and Colton Peterson celebrate a moment during a Semifinal win in 2025.