Senior-Powered Centreville Eager to Build on 2024 Regional Final Run
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
April 8, 2025
CENTREVILLE – Optimism is running high on the baseball diamond in Centreville, where eight seniors return who have unfinished business.
Dan Truckenmiller, the Bulldogs' fourth-year varsity head coach, has developed a special connection with his senior class – many of whom he has coached for the past 10 years, since they started playing the sport at the Little League level.
"I've been fortunate to be able to move up in the program, along with my group of seniors. We're looking forward to a solid season. We basically have all nine of our starters back from last year," Truckenmiller said.
The coaching continuity and the Bulldogs' experience were big reasons Centreville, 13-4 in league play and runner-up in the Southwest 10 Conference last spring, was able to put together a strong postseason run.
The Bulldogs avenged a pair of regular-season losses by knocking off No. 8-ranked and undefeated Marcellus 11-1 in their District Final. Centreville went on to post a 2-0 shutout of Byron Center Zion Christian in the Regional Semifinals before losing 6-0 to Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep in the Regional championship game to finish 21-11 overall.
Centreville won't have the opportunity to avenge its season-ending loss to Hackett in the playoffs this season after moving to Division 3 (although the two will meet again during the regular season). But with a tougher nonleague schedule, the Bulldogs are confident they will be able to compete against anyone once the postseason arrives.
Centreville opened this season last Tuesday with a nonleague doubleheader on the road against reigning Division 3 champion Watervliet. The Bulldogs also have tough nonleague games lined up against Bronson, Union City, Constantine, Hackett, Schoolcraft and Kalamazoo Christian.
A formidable foe in baseball, Centreville reached the Division 4 Semifinals twice last decade under past coach Mike Webster. The Bulldogs lost to Muskegon Catholic Central 10-8 in the 2015 Final and fell 5-1 to eventual champion Sterling Heights Parkway Christian during the 2016 Semifinals.
Three of the most notable players Centreville's program has produced are former Major League relief pitcher Matt Thornton, along with along with current Division I players Jared Spencer (Texas) and his twin brother Jacob Spencer (Indiana State University).
Thornton, who enjoyed a 12-year MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres, still ranks second all-time in American League history with 182 holds. Jared Spencer is in the starting pitching rotation for the Longhorns after transferring following a stellar three-year stint at Indiana State.
Truckenmiller believes his 2025 Bulldogs squad has the potential to leave a special mark of its own.
"Our main goal is to always win the conference, which we haven't been able to do yet. There's always a little hiccup here or there that's kept us from achieving that," he said.
Centreville's senior class includes Evan Blair, Matt Swanwick, Ben Truckenmiller, Kobe Carpenter, Vinny Jines, Tristan Smeltzer, Garrison Bunning and Aiden Kohlhoff.
Swanwick, Carpenter, Ben Truckenmiller and Jines are all four-year varsity players.
"My plan right away when I took over as coach was to bring the guys that had varsity potential up and get them that experience," said Dan Truckenmiller, who played high school baseball with Thornton and Matt Swanwick's father Paul Swanwick as well as his uncle Matthew Swanwick. They are all 1995 Centreville graduates.
The 6-foot-5 Matt Swanwick will be Centreville's ace pitcher after posting a 3-1 mark and 1.67 ERA as a junior with 54 strikeouts against just 16 walks over 46 innings.
"I'm looking forward to this season. Our team is one year older, and that should allow us to handle ourselves better in any situation,” said Matt Swanwick, a first-team all-league selection last season who plans to attend Michigan State University to study to become an electrician. “We are deep in our pitching staff and we can all throw strikes, plus we have guys behind us who can make plays,"
Centreville's coach is confident in Swanwick's ability to handle the No. 1 role on the staff.
"Matt excels at whatever he does. He always throws hard and can place the ball where he needs too. At the plate, he's a clutch hitter with power and is probably the fastest guy on our team," said Dan Truckenmiller, who will be assisted for a third straight season by Chad Meade.
"Chad is a great coach who has been around the game of baseball a long time and is someone who knows the Xs and Os of the game very well."
Ben Truckenmiller, son of the head coach, went 6-0 with 73 strikeouts and 19 walks and a 3.50 ERA last spring. He will be the Bulldogs' regular starting catcher when he's not scheduled to throw.
Smeltzer compiled a 4-0 mark on the mound in 2024, allowing 16 walks with 24 strikeouts and a 4.10 ERA. Evan Blair, Carpenter and Jines could all see time on the mound as well.
"Most of our senior class is extremely versatile and can play multiple positions. Ben excels at catching and has been our starter there for four years. He's also become a better pitcher and has some good pitches that throw opposing hitters off," Dan Truckenmiller said.
"Kobe has been one of the best centerfielders I've ever had. He makes remarkable catches every game and is very vocal and stays positive. Vinny is a bigger kid who can hit the crap out of the ball. He probably hits it the hardest of anyone on our team. When he's up there, he's just looking to get a base hit rather than trying to hit it out of the park."
Swanwick returns as Centreville's top hitter in the No. 3 spot in the batting order where he hit .398 as a junior with 37 hits, including nine doubles, three triples, one home run and 34 RBI.
Carpenter, the Bulldogs' starting centerfielder, returns having batted .311 with 32 hits as the team's lead-off hitter a year ago
"I love the potential of our outfield. We all communicate very well, and there's good chemistry between us. We have lot of faith in each other to make every catch, and we have a strong core of infielders as well," Carpenter said.
Jines, the Bulldogs' starting first baseman, returns to fill the clean-up spot after hitting .395 with 32 hits, including eight doubles, with 32 RBI last season.
"We have a consistent group of guys who have played together from a young age,” Jines said. “I'm looking forward to playing first base again because there is a lot of attention to detail to be good at that position. You have to know the other infielders' style with the throws they make over to you.”
Ben Truckenmiller occupies the No. 2 spot in the batting order. He hit .318 with 28 hits, including three doubles, and had 15 RBI last year.
"I love catching. I have faith in my abilities behind the dish, and I feel like I'm one of the better catchers around our area,” he said. “ We have unfinished business this year and want to win our conference and Districts and go further than last year. It will take being confident and remaining focused to achieve those goals."
Two sophomores will supply a great deal of punch again at the plate for Centreville. Second baseman Cash Dentler returns after hitting .438 with 32 hits and 20 RBI and an on-base percentage of .539, while sophomore starting shortstop Bo Riley batted .281 as a freshman with 25 hits, including seven doubles, and 21 RBI.
Smeltzer batted .293 with 17 hits and 10 RBI. Juniors Jack Bartelt, the starting left fielder, and Matt Blair will play vital roles for the Bulldogs while Bunning is pegged for heavy duty in right field.
"Garrison is a team guy who I can always put into the game to get a clutch hit or make a key play in the field for us," Dan Truckenmiller said. "Jack is a big power hitter and aggressive for his size on the basepaths. Evan is a utility guy and our secret weapon who came out of nowhere last season to pitch valuable innings for us. Aiden has one of the best attitudes of anyone on the team too."
An ability to adjust and play small ball will be critical again to Centreville's success. The Bulldogs are also a big threat on the basepaths.
Centreville stole 124 bases in 2024 as a team. Leading that effort was Matt Swanwick with 22 followed by Ben Truckenmiller (21), Carpenter (18), Dentler (14) and Jines (13).
"Our guys understand that when there are times that we aren't hitting the ball very well, we might have to be able to lay down a bunt,” Dan Truckenmiller said. “I like to be aggressive when we get guys on base. I like to challenge our kids and steal a lot of bases."
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Centreville’s Ben Truckenmiller, left, beats a tag at third base during a 2024 game. (Middle) Matt Swanwick pitches for the Bulldogs last spring. (Below) Centreville’s seniors and coaches, from left: Assistant coach Chad Meade, seniors Vincent Jines, Tristan Smeltzer, Kobe Carpenter, Ben Truckenmiller, Garrison Bunning, Matt Swanwick and Aiden Kohlhoff; and Centreville head coach Dan Truckenmiller. Missing from the photo is Evan Blair. (Action photos by Brandon Watson/Sturgis Journal. Group photo by Scott Hassinger.)
Preview: McLane Welcomes Major Players, Familiar & 1st-Time Title Contenders
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 14, 2022
The team with the second-longest winning streak in MHSAA baseball history, and the appearances of three likely high-round Major League Baseball draft picks are among several intriguing storylines as we head into this weekend’s Baseball Finals at Michigan State University’s McLane Stadium.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (42-0) has won 64 straight games, going back to last season and second only to Homer’s 75 consecutive from 2004 to 2005. Perhaps more notably, the Eaglets with two more victories this weekend can break the single-season record for wins in a baseball season of 43 shared by four teams. St. Mary’s Brock Porter is a projected first-round draft selection and likely will be joined by teammate Ike Irish and Detroit Edison’s Gregory Pace Jr. in being selected next month.
Pace’s team is among nine seeking a first MHSAA baseball championship, and one of eight looking to advance to a title game for the first time.
Division 1 – Friday
Battle Creek Lakeview vs. Grosse Pointe North, 9 a.m.
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's, 11:30 a.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Grosse Ile vs. Grand Rapids Christian, 9 a.m.
Ada Forest Hills Eastern vs. Goodrich, 11:30 a.m.
Division 3 - Friday
Detroit Edison vs. Pewamo-Westphalia, 2:30 p.m.
Buchanan vs. Standish-Sterling, 5 p.m.
Division 4 – Thursday
Whitmore Lake vs. Beal City, 2:30 p.m.
Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Rudyard, 5 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Division 2 - 9 a.m.
Division 3 - 5 p.m.
Division 4 - 11:30 a.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 Quarterfinals unless noted):
Division 1
BATTLE CREEK LAKEVIEW
Record/rank: 29-7, No. 15
Coach: Kyle Kracht, fifth season (98-42)
League finish: Second in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (2006), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Kooper Etheridge, sr. OF/P (.490, 37 R, 14 2B, 38 RBI, 13 SB, 6-1 pitching, 2.39 ERA); Jake Kucharczyk, jr. OF/P (.462, 49 R, 37 RBI, 24 SB); Zach Kucharczyk, jr. C (.461, 57 R, 13 2B, 30 SB); Jackson Haywood, jr. 1B/P (.389, 33 R, 45 RBI, 5-3 pitching, 2.93 ERA).
Outlook: This will be Lakeview’s first Semifinal since 2014 and comes after a 7-2 Quarterfinal win over No. 2 Northville. The Spartans also emerged from a league that included No. 12 Portage Northern and 2021 Division 1 runner-up Portage Central, and they are a combined 61-16 overall over the last two seasons. Junior second baseman Jayden Miller (.415, 18 SB) adds another big bat in the middle of the lineup, and junior Malachi Goss (5-0, 2.31) is another contributor from a pitching staff that has nine with at least one win on the mound this spring.
GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
Record/rank: 24-11, unranked
Coach: John Dolce, seventh season (132-110)
League finish: Third in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Justin St. Antoine, fr. IF/P (.351, 27 R, 17 SB, 4-2 pitching, 2.00 ERA); Jonah St. Antoine, jr. P/IF (.388, 44 R, 12 2B, 24 SB); Jack Snow, sr. P/1B (.395, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 9-1 pitching, 1.75 ERA, 94 K); Connor Foley, sr. P/1B (.318, 6-2 pitching, 2.24 ERA).
Outlook: Dolce, who previously led Grand Rapids Catholic Central to the 1985 Class B title and is approaching 250 wins over 13 seasons total, has FHN set to play in its first Semifinal coming off its third District title in four seasons (not counting COVID-canceled 2020). The Huskies opened with a 5-1 District win over No. 11 Rockford and have won three games by one run apiece during the playoffs. Five seniors anchor a starting lineup that’s topped by the St. Antoines. Jonah St. Antoine will continue his career at Pittsburgh, while Foley will play next at Canisius (N.Y.) and Snow at Davenport.
GROSSE POINTE NORTH
Record/rank: 22-7, unranked
Coach: Kevin Shubnell, first season (22-7)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference White
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2006).
Players to watch: Brennan Hill, soph. OF/P (.333, 4-0 pitching, 1.06 ERA ); Drew Hill, jr. OF/P (.462, 40 R, 10 2B, 13 SB); Jake Tedesco, sr. 1B/P (.344, 29 R, 33 RBI, 12 SB, 5-1 pitching, 1.96 ERA); Jordan Arseneau, jr. P/OF (.299, 27 RBI, 7-0 pitching, 0.17 ERA).
Outlook: This will be the Norsemen’s first Semifinal appearance since that most recent championship season of 2006. North has been on an impressive roll averaging 7.3 runs per game over six playoff wins including a 9-2 District-opening victory over No. 17 Grosse Pointe South. North won three of four games total this season against South, and also two of three against Division 2 No. 7 St. Clair. Seven regulars are hitting .299 or higher, also including seniors Luke Babcock (.321), James MacAuley (.314) and Parker O’Neill (.308).
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 42-0, No. 1
Coach: Matt Petry, 12th season
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Central
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2021 in Division 2), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Brock Porter, sr. P (8-0, 0.27 ERA, 109 K); Jake Dresselhouse, sr. OF (.409, 56 R, 10 2B, 40 RBI); Ike Irish, sr. C (.460, 45 R, 10 HR, 42 RBI); Nolan Schubart, sr. OF (.336, 47 R, 12 HR, 38 RBI), Jack Crighton, sr. IF (.435, 35 R, 27 RBI).
Outlook: Last season’s Division 2 champion brings seven starters back to MSU from last year’s Final, plus its top pitcher. Porter, Irish, Dresselhouse and Schubart all made the all-state Dream Team last season, and Crighton joined them on the Division 2 first team. The Eaglets are averaging 9.5 runs per game with Ryan McKay (.383), Jasen Oliver (.391) and Ryan Mooney also returning starters from 2021. Porter, who has hit .486 in limited at bats, is a projected first-round pick in the July Major League Baseball draft, and Irish is expected to be selected among the early rounds as well. Seniors Ciaran Caughey (9-0, 0.46 ERA) and Nolan Higgins (5-0, 1.65) and sophomore Aidan Donovan (7-0, 0.92 ERA) are three more starters among six total who have at least five wins on the mound.
Division 2
ADA FOREST HILLS EASTERN
Record/rank: 37-4, No. 1
Coach: Ian Hearn, seventh season (171-67)
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Evan Parks, sr. IF/P (.458, 38 R, 18 2B, 50 RBI, 8-1 pitching, 0.89 ERA, 86 K); Leo Hearn, sr. C/IF (.387, 40 RBI); Jacob Pallo, jr. P/IF (.368, 34 RBI, 9-0 pitching, 0.95 ERA, 79 K); Ashton Feenstra, sr. P/1B (8-0, 0.87 ERA).
Outlook: Forest Hills Eastern’s weekend was especially eventful as the Hawks won their first Regional title and advanced to the Semifinals, and Coach Hearn went over 600 career wins – her previously led Rockford to the 2011 Division 1 title and also coached Traverse City Central and at Michigan State. Forest Hills Eastern won its first 25 games this season, and two of the losses came to Division 1 No. 5 Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills. Eight pitchers have at last one win – senior Caleb Kuiper (6-2, 2.26 ERA) is another main starter – as the team has a combined 1.57 ERA this spring. Kuiper (.337), senior Collin Fridsma (.327, 50 R), junior Mac DenBraber (.342, 38 R), senior Brian Messing (.305, 42 R) and freshman Max Ferrick (.312, 31 R) also bring .300 averages to the starting lineup.
GOODRICH
Record/rank: 37-2, No. 4
Coach: Bob Foreback, 28th season (723-278)
League finish: First in Flint Metro League Stars and overall
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final
Players to watch: Travis Liford, sr. SS (.382, 35 R, 11 2B, 36 RBI, 24 SB); Carson Raether, soph. C (.441, 35 R, 11 2B, 32 RBI, 17 SB); Brady Gauthier, sr. OF/P (.392, 8-0 pitching, 0.42 ERA); Noah Keller, sr. P (.404, 12-0 pitching, 0.10 ERA, 141 K).
Outlook: Goodrich is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2008, with four shutouts over five playoff games and only one run given up in the fifth. Keller made the all-state second team last season and will continue his career next season at Cornell. He tops a stellar pitching staff with a combined 1.24 ERA; Gauthier, senior Josh Denton (61, 1.59) and junior Gavin Hart (5-0, 1.09) also are standouts. The Martians hit .334 as a team with nine batting .304 or better. Junior Jack Foreback is another top contributor at .382 with 32 runs scored and 21 steals. Juniors Erik Wyczalek (.338) and Jordan Conn (.323) and seniors Bryston Hautamaki (.314) and Joey Belanger (.304) also help fill out the lineup.
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 26-8, No. 14
Coach: Brent Gates, eighth season (second tenure, 209-67 overall at GRC)
League finish: Fourth in O-K White
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2013), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Ty Uchman, jr. 1B (.400, 35 R); Kyle Remington, jr. P (.432, 42 R, 11 2B, 15 SB, 5-3 pitching, 1.37 ERA, 77 K); Jackson Isaacs, soph. OF (.450, 37 R, 40 RBI); Cannon Paul, soph. OF (.398, 29 R, 10 2B, 10 SB).
Outlook: Grand Rapids Christian has won 17 of its last 18 games, the only defeat coming during a split with Division 1 semifinalist Forest Hills Northern. Retired pro Gates led the Eagles to back-to-back Division 2 titles in 2012 and 2013 and returned to the program in 2019 after a pair of successful seasons at Byron Center. Grand Rapids Christian is built for continued success with only two senior starters, although senior Christian Burgess (4-0, 1.55 ERA) is another top pitcher with Remington and junior Cam Seth (5-1, 1.37). Burgess also hits .317 and Seth .347 as nine hitters total are batting .297 or better. From that group, junior Josh Winkle (.356), senior Nate Hedlund (.330) and junior Alec Koval (.297) also start, and Seth and Hedlund are tied for second on the team with 30 RBI apiece.
GROSSE ILE
Record/rank: 23-6, No. 20
Coach: Mario Garza, seventh season (79-84)
League finish: Second in Huron League
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final
Players to watch: Tyler Garza, sr. IF/P (.483, 38 R, 12 2B, 32 RBI, 14 SB); Cannon Kawadri, jr. C (.412, 11 SB); Caleb Jones, fr. IF (.340, 30 R, 10 SB); Michael Madrigal, sr. IF/P (.293, 6-0 pitching, 0.51 ERA, 84 K).
Outlook: Grosse Ile’s first trip to the Semifinals has included a District Final win over No. 18 Trenton, its first Regional championship, and 13 wins over the Red Devils’ last 14 games total. Garza has brought the program from a tenure low of six wins in 2017 to more than reversing that’s season’s 6-22 record five years later. The team has only four seniors, with Will Lowery another major contributor hitting .291 with a 7-2 record and 1.98 ERA on the mound. Two of the team’s other most notable wins came in splits with Division 2 No. 2 New Boston Huron and Division 4 semifinalist Riverview Gabriel Richard.
Division 3
BUCHANAN
Record/rank: 27-4, No. 2
Coach: Jim Brawley, fourth season (85-15)
League finish: First in Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Red
Championship history: Class C champion 1985, three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Drew Glavin, sr. OF/P (.355, 42 R, 27 RBI, 6-2 pitching, 2.35 ERA); Matthew Hoover, sr. IF/P (.511, 45 R, 12 2B, 51 RBI, 9-0 pitching, 1.21 ERA, 88 K); Murphy Wegner, sr. C (.467, 15 2B, 33 RBI); Macoy West, sr. OF/P (.463, 12 2B, 41 RBI, 7-1 pitching, 1.55 ERA, 81 K).
Outlook: Buchanan is returning to the Semifinals for the second straight season, with a lineup bolstered by six seniors including three who earned all-state recognition in 2021. The Bucks have shut out four of their six postseason opponents, including No. 11 Onsted and No. 12 Clinton in their two most recent victories. Hoover and Glavin made the all-state first team last season, and Wegner made the second team. Junior Cade Preissing is another standout, hitting .393 with a team-high 56 runs scored this spring.
DETROIT EDISON
Record/rank: 24-12, No. 16
Coach: Mark Brown, sixth season (116-62)
League finish: First in Charter School Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Gregory Pace Jr., sr. OF/P (.425, 46 R, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 44 SB); Marwynn Matthews, soph. IF/P (.387, 35 RBI, 18 SB); Keith Smith Jr., sr. OF (.360, 44 R, 36 RBI, 35 SB); Edward Gregory Jr., sr. SS/P (.318, 43 R, 11 2B, 46 SB).
Outlook: Edison is making its first trip to the Semifinals, also after winning its first Regional title, continuing a postseason run that opened with a 5-4 win over top-ranked Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett and most recently included a 9-1 Quarterfinal victory against No. 14 Algonac. Pace made the all-state first team last season and has signed with Michigan, and he’s also projected as a high-round pick in July’s Major League Baseball draft. Senior Caleb Johnson adds another .300 bat (.311) with 13 stolen bases for a team averaging more than six runs per game despite playing a schedule filled with many larger schools and a number of ranked Division 1 and 2 teams. Five losses came by just one run.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Record/rank: 23-10-2, unranked
Coach: Curt Nurenberg, second season (53-14-2)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Class C runner-up 1991.
Players to watch: Tanner Wirth, sr. OF (.423, 11 2B, 14 SB); Nate Simon, jr. OF (.347, 31 R, 10 SB); Ashtin Wirth, sr. C (.329, 27 RBI); Brock Thelen, sr. IF (.337, 33 R, 28 2B, 36 SB).
Outlook: P-W is back at MSU for the second time in four years after also making the Semifinals in 2019, and this time with a District Semifinal upset of No. 3 Hemlock to its credit plus double-digit scoring in three of five postseason games. Saturday’s 12-8 Quarterfinal win over Lansing Catholic avenged a regular-season sweep. Wirth made the all-state first team last season, and Thelen made the second. Junior Drew Nurenberg (4-0, 0.63 ERA) and senior Austin Schafer (6-2, 1.84) lead the team in starts this spring, but sophomore Gabe Miller (7-2, 1.15 ERA) leads the team in wins despite just four starts on the mound. Senior infielder Adam Nurenberg (.333) adds another solid bat to the lineup.
STANDISH-STERLING
Record/rank: 35-6, No. 5
Coach: Ryan Raymond, fifth season (139-49-3)
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference 10
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Cole Prout, sr. OF (.505, 83 R, 13 3B, 9 HR, 46 RBI, 21 SB); Charlie Kolbiaz, sr. C (.452, 12 2B, 49 RBI); Chase Raymond, sr. IF (.472, 48 R, 10 2B, 10 3B, 76 RBI); Addison Vallad, sr. IF (.358, 51 R, 32 RBI, 8-0 pitching, 2.87 ERA).
Outlook: After reaching the Quarterfinals for the third time over the last six seasons, Standish-Sterling will play in its first Semifinal since 1976 with a Regional Final win over No. 13 Houghton among highlights of this playoff run. The offense’s numbers are incredible – the Panthers have averaged 14.5 runs per game during the tournament and 10.3 per game for the entire season. Senior Brett Bartlett (.452, 41 R, 35 RBI), sophomore Cooper Prout (.429), freshman Sam Briggs (.357) and senior Matt Yealey (.356) are among others having substantial success at the plate. Five of the team’s six losses came to teams ranked among the top eight in Divisions 2, 3 or 4. Chase Raymond will continue at Saginaw Valley State.
Division 4
BEAL CITY
Record/rank: 29-2, No. 1
Coach: Steve Pickens, fifth season (131-32-1)
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), two runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Wade Wilson, sr. P/CF (.421, 34 R, 5-1 pitching, 1.20 ERA); Brendan Martin, sr. P/1B (.323, 11-0 pitching, 0.70 ERA, 73 K); Kaiden Andrews, sr. 2B/SS (.477, 49 R, 11 2B, 31 RBI, 12 SB); Brayden Haynes, sr. 3B (.511, 44 R, 10 2B, 63 RBI).
Outlook: Beal City has reached the season’s final week for the third time in four seasons (not counting COVID-canceled 2020), its only losses to Division 2 Gladwin and Division 3 No. 17 Hudson (the latter in a split). Wilson made the all-state first team last season, while Martin, Andrews and Haynes made the second team. Sophomore Cayden Smith is among others having a massive season, hitting .500 with 48 runs, 10 doubles, 35 RBI and 20 steals, and he’s 5-0 in the mound with a 0.96 ERA. Senior Konnor Wilson also is 5-0 and hitting .474 with 39 runs scored and 33 RBI. Seniors Hunter Miles (.494, 46 R, 43 RBI) and Josh Wilson (.494, 39 R, 40 RBI) and sophomores Jack Fussman (.376, 40 R) and Jake Gauthier (.367) also are piling up major numbers.
RIVERVIEW GABRIEL RICHARD
Record/rank: 17-12, unranked
Coach: Mike Magier, ninth season (record N/A)
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic League AA
Championship history: Division 3 champion 2018, Class C runner-up 1994.
Players to watch: Tylor Morehouse, soph. IF; Connor Silka, sr. P/IF; Ashton Nowak, sr. P/OF, Brenden Hills, sr. IF/OF. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Richard had a rare 8-16-1 finish in 2021 but capped that season with District and Regional titles, and the Pioneers have surged over the last month again to return to the Semifinals. Four of five MHSAA Tournament games have been shutouts, including wins over No. 20 Bay City All Saints in the Regional Final and No. 9 Marine City Cardinal Mooney in the Quarterfinal. Silka, Hills, Nowak and catcher/infielder Bryan Tuttle are the only seniors.
RUDYARD
Record/rank: 28-6-1, No. 3
Coach: Billy Mitchell, third season (46-18-2)
League finish: Second in Straits Area Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: EJ Suggitt, sr. IF/P (.529, 44 R, 44 RBI, 24 SB, 10-3 pitching, 3.13 ERA, 73 K); Tate Besteman, sr. OF/P (.393, 47 R, 36 SB); Brett Mayer, sr. P/OF/IF (.367, 38 R, 38 RBI, 24 SB, 13-0 pitching, 1.46 ERA, 104 K); Cam Peterson, soph. IF/C (.366, 44 R, 20 SB).
Outlook: This will be Rudyard’s third trip to the Semifinals over the last 10 seasons (not counting canceled 2020), and first since 2015. The Bulldogs emerged from a Regional that included No. 4 Maple City Glen Lake and No. 7 Indian River Inland Lakes, and they’ve won 22 straight games. Suggitt helped lead the football team to the 8-Player Semifinals and boys basketball team to the Division 4 Quarterfinals as well this school year. Austin Warner (.358) leads the team with 39 stolen bases while Rudyard as a whole has 211 swipes in 232 attempts. Sophomores Eli Sprague (.333), Aiden Bickel (.327, 29 SB) and Landen Mayer (.308) also bolster the lineup.
WHITMORE LAKE
Record/rank: 22-9, No. 13
Coach: Hank Dreffs, second season (36-23-1)
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Alden Stefanovski, sr. C (.461, 20 2B, 29 RBI); Alex Di Dio, jr. IF (.442, 36 R, 30 RBI, 1.83 ERA); Hayden Collingham, sr. IF (.349, 24 RBI); Zane Gregg, jr. P/IF (.314, 0.57 ERA, 107 K).
Outlook: Whitmore Lake won its first Regional title and will make its first Semifinal appearance after avenging a late-season sweep by Britton Deerfield with an 11-5 Quarterfinal win. The Trojans also defeated No. 16 Decatur in the Regional Final. Third baseman Garrett Engstrom joins Stefanovski and Collingham as the team’s only seniors, and there are eight underclassmen on the 15-player roster. Whitmore Lake has won league titles both seasons under Dreffs and improved this spring from 14-14-1 overall a year ago. Junior Dalton Bachman (1.83 ERA) provides another valuable arm.
PHOTO Beal City's Kaiden Andrews (7) attempts to beat the tag at the plate against Clare early this spring. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)