Pilots' Phenom Always Drawn to Diamond
By
Tom Markowski
Special for Second Half
April 19, 2018
WARREN – Baseball, at its core, is a simple game. Throw a baseball, try to hit it and then catch it.
And that was more than enough to hook Bryce Bush.
“Baseball was first,” Bush said when asked which sport initially grabbed his attention. “My dad got me started. I was 3 years old. We’d always hit, play catch. Everyday. I just liked it.”
Bush has been all in ever since. One of four underclassmen selected to the 2017 all-state Dream Team by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association, Bush is a 6-foot, 205-pound infielder at Warren DeLaSalle. He started at first and third base his sophomore season and played those two positions plus outfield last year before moving to shortstop this spring.
“I’m the best athlete on the team,” he said. “I’m used to it. It used to be my primary position. At shortstop, you’re in control of the whole infield. (Playing) third base was harder. You have to come in on balls, and that throw (down the line) is one of the hardest to make.”
For some, the transition would be a difficult challenge. But Bush, 18, isn’t your typical high school player. He has all the tools. He can run, hit for power and field his position. Pencil him in anywhere, and he’ll succeed.
Bush said he’ll likely play third base or right field at the next level. Just where at the next level has yet to be determined. He signed with Mississippi State University, and it’s likely he’ll be selected in the Major League Amateur Draft in June.
Where he’s headed next will be decided at a later date, and Bush said he doesn’t think about it that much. He said there were 10 major league scouts at his last game.
“I have no clue at all," he said of which round he'll be selected. “(The scouts) try to make it as hard as possible trying to figure it out. It’s really no big deal. I have a good backup plan.”
Until then, Bush’s focus is on this season and what he can do to make himself a better player while helping his team any way he can. Last season the Pilots reached a Regional Semifinal before losing to Sterling Heights Stevenson, 5-4. In 2016, DeLaSalle won the school’s fourth baseball Finals championship as the Pilots defeated Saline, 7-6, in the Division 1 championship game.
Bush and the other 15 returning players from last season have a new coach. Dave Zelmanski, a 1974 DeLaSalle grad, was hired after Matt Cook left the program to take over at Grandville.
Zelmanski had never met Bush before last fall. The new coach was a pretty good player in his day, having played four seasons at Wayne State University – but he said Bush is special. Zelmanski compares his introduction to Bush to when he was invited to a Detroit Red Wings practice about 15 years ago before he became a sales representative.
“I was working at Chrysler at the time,” Zelmanski said. “And I’m meeting guys like (Joey) Kocur, (Brendan) Shanahan and others. Then I saw (Steve) Yzerman. He was it. Just the way he carried himself. When I went to meet the (DeLaSalle) team, I saw Bryce, and he was it.
“I was talking with Jake Badalamenti, he’s one of our better players and he was part of the state championship team for football. He was in the (batting) cage, and I asked him where Bryce was. Jake takes me aside and he put his hands at his chest and said, ‘Coach we’re all here, the rest of us.’ Then he raised his hands over his head and said, ‘That’s where Bryce is.’
“(Bryce) is as quiet as a church mouse. He’s the nicest kid. And there isn’t anything he does that the other guys can do.”
Bush has what some call “God-given” talent. And it’s easy to see why.
His father, Elwood Bush III, grew up on Detroit’s west side and played baseball at Detroit Cooley. He went on to play at Hinds Community College in Mississippi and on the National JUCO championship team in 1989. Bush’s uncle, Ricky Bush, played at Jackson State, and his grandfather also played baseball.
Bush also has a brother, Ryan, 25, who chose basketball and was a good player at Berkley High.
Bryce Bush played basketball too but stopped after his freshman year to concentrate on the diamond.
In addition to his natural abilities, Bush is determined to out-work the competition. He works at his trade six days a week, taking Sundays off. He’ll run a half mile or so to begin his workouts before going into light stretching and then a more strenuous stretching exercise called dynamic warm-up. Many of these stretching exercises focus on his legs and arms.
He’ll then work on his footwork and field ground balls for 20 minutes or so.
He ends his training hitting with his teammates or, if he’s alone, in a batting cage. He’ll use a 35-ounce bat at the start to get loose, then go to his favorite wooden bat. Hitting alone takes an hour.
“I remember when I was 3, maybe 4 years old,” Bush said. “And I’d use a toy golf club and just start swinging it. I hit a wall with it sometimes.
“Honestly, I like everything about baseball. The best feeling is, of course, hitting a home run.”
Last season Bush hit 16 home runs to go with a .541 batting average. Through five games this season, he’s hit just one home run – but it was a memorable one against Birmingham Brother Rice.
“The wind was blowing in hard,” Zelmanski said. “Nobody was going to hit one out that day, and (Bush) just crushed one. I mean, it’s hard to say how far it went over the fence, but it had to go 20 or 30 feet beyond. Nobody could believe he hit it that far.”
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) Warren DeLaSalle’s Bryce Bush applies a tag against Lake Orion. (Middle) Bush, after playing a variety of positions over the last two seasons, will line up primarily at shortstop this spring. (Photos courtesy of the Warren DeLaSalle 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.