Similarities Tie Slugging Pair's 1991 Pursuit of .600 Average, Paths After
By
Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com
June 11, 2024
They both remember chasing the identical goal 33 years ago.
It wasn't so much that Hastings' Nick Williams and Dwain Koscielniak of Gaylord St. Mary were aware in 1991 of becoming the first MHSAA-recognized .600 hitters in state history. What the two remember most about their magical final high school seasons has little to do with records, but simply closing out outstanding baseball careers with a bang.
"I think it was the same scenario for both of us," Williams said. "You just want to get a hit, drive the ball every time you're up."
It may be forgotten now, but in an era where tracking batting averages wasn't as simple as inserting a thumb drive and a couple clicks on a laptop, it's easy to see how the one-of-a-kind hitting exploits of Williams and Koscielniak may be overlooked. For instance, with just days left in their senior seasons neither knew they were closing in on the state record for batting average of .577 by Greg Atkinson of Maple City Glen Lake in 1985. The two were more focused on helping their teams win District titles and then beginning their summers.
About all the pair really knew was that magical seasons were about to end. Both were batting over .600, but when ballplayers are hitting that well, there's a fine line in maintaining such rare territory. As both found out – one painfully so and the other happily – every at-bat is critical. Koscielniak wound up slugging a pair of homers in his final game to finish with a .629 mark while Williams, who started the last day of his senior season with a hefty .612 mark, went hitless for the first time all spring to finish at 591.
While the chase to hit .600 is obviously an entertaining story, it's only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amazing parallels between the lives of Koscielniak and Williams, who lived 170 miles apart growing up in Gaylord and Hastings, respectively.
Both, for example, were outstanding dual-sport athletes. Koscielniak graduated second on the Michigan football career rushing list with 5,078 yards from 1987-90, and he still owns the state single-game record of 529 yards against Pellston on Oct. 26, 1990. Williams, meanwhile, averaged 24 points per game as a senior in basketball and could have been a dual-sport athlete at the next level if not for sticking with baseball.
In addition, both went on to stellar collegiate careers. Williams was a second-team all-Mid-American Conference selection in 1995 as a junior, and Central Michigan University captain as a senior. Koscielniak played two years at Mott Community College before becoming a slugging catcher/infielder at Ferris State. He was named Player of the Year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1994 when he won the league’s triple crown hitting .403 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs.
Both had flirtations with pro ball as Williams was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 48th round of the 1991 MLB draft and later drew interest from Boston and Cincinnati following his time at CMU. Koscielniak was drafted by San Diego in the 32nd round in 1994 and reached High-A a year later. He batted .261 with 32 RBIs in 64 games over two minor league seasons.
Koscielniak and Williams, who unknowingly played against each other with their college teams in 1994, also both wound up in athletics after college. Williams became an associate athletic director at Central Michigan, while Koscielniak coached baseball at Gaylord St. Mary.
There's more as both players are fathers of college-level talents. Williams' daughter Jayden ran track at Central Michigan while another daughter, Taryn, is playing volleyball at Delta College. Koscielniak's sons Steven and Christopher both played baseball at Delta College, daughter Brooke is an equestrian at Saginaw Valley State, and youngest son Brett is a three-sport athlete at Gaylord St. Mary.
If there's one more nugget which Williams and Koscielniak have in common, it’s that both credit long hours of work for becoming outstanding hitters. Williams would use a tarp in the family garage for a makeshift hitting cage, while Koscielniak's offseason hitting quarters was a cage stuck away in a pole barn. Both said they would never have approached being .600 hitters without putting in loads of extra time.
"I got my swings in several times a week in the offseason, and that really helped me," said Koscielniak, whose professional career received its earliest spark when a Ferris State science teacher/part-time MLB scout wandered past the school's gymnasium and noticed Koscielniak practicing throws to second base from his spot as catcher during winter workouts.
Williams remembers getting in about 200 at-bats with summer travel teams in Hastings, Grand Rapids and Battle Creek between his junior and senior years.
"I had a lot of success as a hitter because I put the time in," said Williams, who remembers half a dozen scouts at every Saxons game as a senior. "I didn't play a fall sport, and I put in a lot of time just hitting. I became aware of being able to hit the ball the other way, and I think my confidence began to grow."
As for approaching the .600 mark during their final seasons, Williams and Koscielniak said they were blissfully unaware of any state batting records. Williams does recall never considering trying to preserve a .600 average by taking a game off down the stretch.
"No, I never (had) a thought of that – not even a conversation," he said. "A lot of time has passed since then, but I don't remember sitting out at all. No way. I was always going to play, and that's it."
Koscielniak also doesn't recall worrying about hitting 600. While Koscielniak was the first .600 hitter in state history, only 17 others have gone on to become MHSAA-recognized .600 batters. Dan Taylor of Kingsley holds the state record for highest average with a .688 mark in 2007.
Koscielniak also hit 17 home runs as a senior and finished his career with 35, which continues to rank eighth on that statewide all-time list.
"Back then if you loved the game, you just played. How it turned out for me is how it turned out," he said. "I was competitive and played hard. I played well at Mott and then Ferris State, and the door opened up for me a little."
Williams and Koscielniak remember one huge drawback in trying to hit .600: walks. Pitchers would simply not give them anything to hit. Williams remembers a doubleheader against Coldwater where he hit home runs in his first at-bats in both games, then received two intentional walks in both games. Koscielniak's two homers in his final game were followed by two intentional walks.
Such a stingy pitching philosophy was par for the course, they say.
"That becomes very difficult for a hitter," Williams said. "You have to be dialed in when you get your opportunities. It was a fun year for me, but a struggle at times because (the walks) make you feel like you're not doing your job for the team.
"I don't think hitting .600 was a big deal. We didn't talk about stats and those things. You keep track a little, but I had no idea till the end of the year. And in the end, it's not about stats. I loved playing baseball."
These days, Williams is an instructor as part of the physical education and sport faculty at CMU, teaching courses on professional and collegiate athletics. Koscielniak is an operation manager for Schwan’s Food Service and with his wife Liz owns the Gaylord Equestrian Center.
PHOTOS (Top) Dwain Koscielniak, left, and Nick Williams stand for recent photos; they were the state’s top high school hitters in 1991 as both pursued a .600 batting average. (Middle) They continue to rank among the elite on the MHSAA record book list for top batting averages for a single season. (Photos courtesy of Koscielniak and Williams.)
Preview: Finals Weekend at McLane Stadium Offers Historic Guarantee
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 11, 2025
Nearly one-third of the field at this weekend’s MHSAA Baseball Semifinals & Finals – five of 16 teams – are hoping to play in their first championship game Saturday.
Two are guaranteed to do so.
Two of Thursday’s Semifinal matchups at McLane Stadium feature faceoffs of first-time hopefuls, and either Mason or Standish-Sterling in Division 2 and Marine City or Olivet in Division 3 will earn that long-awaited debut on the final day of the 2024-25 MHSAA sports year.
There will be no repeat champions this time around. But last season’s Division 4 runner-up Norway is back for another attempt at a first title. Bay City Western also is a making a repeat trip, advancing again to the Division 1 Semifinals.
This weekend's schedule is as follows:
Division 1 – Friday
Hartland vs. Grosse Pointe South – 9 a.m.
Macomb Dakota vs. Bay City Western – 11:30 a.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Mason vs. Standish-Sterling – 2:30 p.m.
Ada Forest Hills Eastern vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's – 5 p.m.
Division 3 – Thursday
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett – 9 a.m.
Marine City vs. Olivet – 11:30 a.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Portland St. Patrick vs. Norway – 2:30 p.m.
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Petersburg-Summerfield – 5 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Division 2 – 11:30 a.m.
Division 3 – 9 a.m.
Division 4 – 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $11 and may be purchased online only at GoFan. One ticket is good for all baseball, softball and girls soccer games at MSU’s Old College Field that day. All Semifinals and Finals will be broadcast and available with subscription from MHSAA.tv.
Below is a glance at all 16 teams taking the field:
Division 1
BAY CITY WESTERN
Record/rank: 36-7, No. 2
Coach: Tim McDonald, 33rd season (903-287-11)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2014 and 2013.
Players to watch: Jack Sequin, sr. P/IF (.385, 41 RBI, 6-2 pitching, 1.20 ERA, 80 K/52 1/3 IP); Luke LaCourse, sr. P/IF (8-2, 1.19 ERA, 118 K/65 IP); Mikey Deluca, sr. IF (.411, 37 R, 15 SB).
Outlook: Western is making a second-straight trip to the Semifinals and with five starters – including both pitchers – who played at McLane last season. LaCourse made the all-state Dream Team as the only junior and Deluca was a Division 1 second-team selection last spring, and Brayden Simmon (8-1, 1.25 ERA, .327) is another returning pitcher for a staff that will bring a combined 1.34 ERA to East Lansing. The Warriors advanced by defeating No. 4 Hudsonville and have given up a combined six runs over six postseason games.
GROSSE POINTE SOUTH
Record/rank: 35-8, No. 15
Coach: Dan Griesbaum, 42nd season (952-531-4)
League finish: Tied for first in Macomb Area Conference White
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2018 and 2001, runner-up 2014.
Players to watch: Henry Domzalski, sr. OF (.388, 50 R, 15 2B, 31 SB, 19 SB); Jack Danielewicz, jr. P/OF (6-1, 0.51 ERA, 67 K/68 IP); Andrew Dilodovico, sr. C/IF/P (.398, 14 2B).
Outlook: This will be South’s first Semifinals trip since that most recent championship season of 2018, and both titles came under Griesbaum, who ranks fifth all-time in MHSAA history for baseball coaching victories. Dilodovico made the all-state second team last season and catches a deep staff that also includes sophomore Charlie Michelotti (7-0, 1.58 ERA), senior Griffen Szatkiewski (8-0, 2.50) and junior Dane Lezotte (5-0, 2.09). Lezotte also is the leading hitter at .402 for an offense that’s batting .345 as a whole this spring.
HARTLAND
Record/rank: 26-15-1, unranked
Coach: Brad Guenther, sixth season (119-58-4)
League finish: First in KLAA West
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2015.
Players to watch: Michael Zielinski, sr. OF/P (.371, 36 R, 15 SB, 8-1 pitching, 1.31 ERA, 85 K/53 1/3 IP); Roman Forcia, sr. IF/P (.404, 19 R, 1.33 ERA); Bobby Griffon, sr. SS/P (.346, 24 R, 25 RBI, 13 SB).
Outlook: Hartland emerged from a KLAA West that also included No. 8 Howell, No. 12 Novi and No. 14 Brighton, plus 2024 Division 1 champion Northville, and the Eagles also downed No. 18 Livonia Franklin during the league playoffs. Novi won Division 1 in 2023, and Hartland will attempt to give the league a third-straight title winner by finishing a tournament run that’s included four-straight one-run wins. Senior Ty Kraut (8-2, 1.97 ERA) and junior Michael Bernardi (4-3, 2.21) are two more reliable throwers who have seen significant action this spring.
MACOMB DAKOTA
Record/rank: 35-6-1, No. 1
Coach: Angelo Plouffe, third season (92-29-2)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Luke DeMasse, sr. IF/P (.351, 12 SB, 7-0 pitching, 0.36 ERA, 75 K/57 2/3 IP); Evan Morrison, sr. C/IF (.420, 13 2B, 32 RBI); Braylon Ryan, sr. IF/OF (.415, 37 R, 11 2B, 3-0 pitching, 1.72 ERA).
Outlook: Dakota has won District titles all three years under Plouffe and will make its second Semifinals trip over those three seasons after also advancing in 2023. There are plenty of standouts to feature, with Ryan Petrovich (8-0, 0.85 ERA, 78 K/49 1/3 IP) and James Nuechterlein (8-0, 0.32 ERA) also heavy contributors to a staff with a combined 1.57 ERA. Catcher Evan Kavalick (.314) made the all-state second team last season, and senior Jadon Ford (.384, 34 R, 18 SB) is among several more big bats. Brother Rice has outscored its five tournament opponents by a combined 34-3 with wins over No. 6 Warren De La Salle Collegiate and No. 10 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice along the way.
Division 2
ADA FOREST HILLS EASTERN
Record/rank: 40-1, No. 1
Coach: Ian Hearn, 10th season (272-86)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2022
Players to watch: James Dempsey, sr. C (.456, 14 2B, 43 RBI, 10 SB); Brendan Thompson, sr. SS (.391, 39 R, 12 2B, 37 RBI, 12 SB); Ben Fausey, jr. 2B (.372, 45 R, 12 2B, 35 RBI, 16 SB).
Outlook: Forest Hills Eastern also is returning to the Semifinals for the second time in three years, with its only loss this spring during a season-opening split with Sparta. The Hawks have defeated No. 13 East Grand Rapids and No. 15 Coopersville during this run. Thompson and senior Max Ferrick (7-0, 1.89 ERA, .306, 10 2B) made the all-state second team last season, and juniors Kenric Penkevich (.385, 15 SB) and Collin Ybarra (.373) and senior Manel Conners (.350, 33 R, 21 SB, 7-0 pitching, 1.56 ERA) also are top contributors to a lineup hitting .340 with 10 players with double-digit steals. Junior Colton Brinks (8-0, 0.52 ERA), senor Landen Lindley (10-1, 1.59) and junior Cam Pallo (2.18) also give the team plenty of options on the mound.
MASON
Record/rank: 31-6, No. 10
Coach: Kohl Tyrrell, seventh season (128-65-2)
League finish: Tied for first in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Colton McCaleb, jr. IF/P (.396, 35 R, 10 2B, 40 RBI, 8-1 pitching, 0.91 ERA, 92 K/61 2/3 IP); Ryan Myers, jr. IF/P (.342, 30 SB, 4-0 pitching, 1.12 ERA); Maddox Armour, sr. IF/OF/P (.341, 37 R, 29 SB, 4-3 pitching).
Outlook: This will be Mason’s first trip to the Semifinals, coming off its first Regional title in this sport. The Bulldogs advanced in part with a 6-1 Regional Final win over No. 7 Williamston, the other co-champ from the CAAC Red, and got past Chelsea in 10 innings in the Quarterfinal. While Myers is expected to get the start in the Semifinal, five pitchers total have at least three wins this season including also junior Alex Engel (8-0, 1.27 ERA). Five regulars are hitting at least .340 including as well juniors Joey Schild (.365, 34 R, 28 RBI, 18 SB) and Travis Davis (.346).
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 26-12, No. 6
Coach: Nick Di Ponio, eighth season (176-115)
League finish: Second in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Luke Crighton, jr. SS/3B/P (.415, 44 R, 13 SB, 5-3 pitching, 1.54 ERA, 69 K/45 1/3 IP); Paul Toovalian, sr. P (5-2, 1.36 ERA, 85 K/51 2/3 IP); Hudson Brzustewicz, jr. SS/P (.400, 12 2B, 50 RBI).
Outlook: Di Ponio returned as head coach last season after previously leading St. Mary’s to Division 2 runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2009, and the Eaglets are back in Division 2 this season after playing in Division 1 the last three. They too emerged from a powerful league that included De La Salle and Brother Rice, both ranked in Division 1, and among postseason wins were a 3-0 victory over No. 8 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and 6-1 downing of No. 11 Dearborn Divine Child. Juniors Drew Tribul (.339, 10 2B, 41 RBI) and Nate Bauman (.361) and senior Wyatt Borbi (.352, 11 2B) also bolster the top of the lineup.
STANDISH-STERLING
Record/rank: 36-5-2, No. 2
Coach: Ryan Raymond, ninth season (241-74-5)
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ben Briggs, jr. OF (.395, 57 R, 37 SB); Preston Kann, jr. P/SS (.365, 35 R, 32 RBI, 11-0 pitching, 0.36 ERA, 98 K/57 2/3 IP); Sam Briggs, sr. P/OF (.477, 38 R, 12 2B, 45 RBI, 21 SB, 9-2 pitching, 1.36 ERA, 82 K/56 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Raymond is bringing Standish-Sterling to the Semifinals for the third time in four seasons, this time after getting past No. 9 Petoskey and No. 12 Fruitport on Saturday. The Panthers are averaging more than eight runs per game and hitting a combined .348, with seniors Trace Collins (.366, 47 R, 30 RBI, 17 SB) and Brock Bartlett (.363, 30 R, 31 RBI, 24 SB) and juniors Rylee Blanchard (.351) and Carson Koin (.346, 31 RBI) among others also putting up big numbers. Sam Briggs made the all-state first team as an outfielder last season. Bartlett and Koin also are a combined 5-0 in the mound.
Division 3
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 23-12-2, No. 6
Coach: Jay Ricci, second season (40-29-2)
League finish: Tied for third in CHSL AA
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Andrew Johnson, sr. C (.366, 28 RBI); Deagan Barr, jr. 2B (.317, 28 R, 15 SB); Jackson Fetter, sr. 1B/P (4-3, 2.33 ERA, 58 K/36 IP, 10 2B).
Outlook: Liggett has won Regional titles both seasons under Ricci, last year in Division 2 before moving back into Division 3 this spring. The Knights have navigated a playoff path that’s included wins over No. 3 Jackson Lumen Christi and No. 4 Detroit Edison, and the regular-season schedule was filled primarily with Division 1 and 2 opponents. Fetter is expected to start the Semifinal, but five pitchers total have won games including also seniors Edwin Narva (6-0, 2.10 ERA) and Mack Phillips (4-3, 2.16, 64 K/45 1/3 IP).
MARINE CITY
Record/rank: 25-10, unranked
Coach: Ryan Felax, third season (66-27)
League finish: First in MAC Gold
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Paul Muscat, sr. SS/P (.393, 30 R, 36 RBI, 25 SB); Daniel VandeVyver, sr. OF/P (.365, 36 R, 10 SB, 7-4 pitching, 2.59 ERA, 63 K/70 1/3 IP); Cooper Letson, sr. C/P (.455, 10 2B, 39 R, 43 RBI, 6-1 pitching, 0.49 ERA, 52 K/43 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Marine City also has advanced after claiming its first Regional title, reaching MSU in part thanks to tournament wins over No. 11 Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, No. 8 Lansing Catholic and No. 16 Algonac. Total, the Mariners have won 16 of their last 19 games. Freshman Tucker Volkman (4-0, 1.58 ERA) also has been among key arms for a team that otherwise is senior-heavy with 10 total.
OLIVET
Record/rank: 22-6, No. 17
Coach: Mike Whitely, first season (12-1)
League finish: Third in CAAC White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Trip Burkett, jr. IF/P; Lalo Aguirre, sr. IF/P; Jack Masters, jr. IF/OF/P. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Olivet is making its first trip to the Semifinals after winning its second Regional title over the last three seasons. The Eagles did so by upending the last two Division 3 champions over their last two games, No. 10-ranked and reigning champion Watervliet in the Quarterfinal and 2023 title winner Bridgman in the Regional Final. Aguirre made the all-state first team last season as an infielder, and Burkett made the second team as a pitcher.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 29-8-1, No. 14
Coach: Tom Passinault, 11th season (292-91)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Class D champion 1990, Division 3 runners-up in 2017 and 2021.
Players to watch: Sam Wildfong, jr. P/C (.366, 31 RBI, 17 SB, 6-3 pitching, 1.06 ERA, 88 K/59 2/3 IP); Matthew Kane, jr. 1B (.417, 29 R, 36 RBI, 13 SB); Charlie Olivier, sr. OF/P (.350, 27 RBI).
Outlook: St. Francis is back at the Semifinals for the second time in five seasons, this time on a seven-game winning streak after losing four straight over a tough three-day stretch in mid-May. Along the way, the Gladiators downed No. 13 Negaunee for a Regional title. Kane is a returning all-state first-team selection. Wildfong will start the Semifinal but the pitching staff is augmented by junior Tyler Endres (8-1, 1.17 ERA, 65 K/48 IP) and sophomore Lanse Vos (4-2, 1.19, 51 K/47 IP). Passinault formerly served as head football coach at Grand Rapids Catholic Central from 1993-2006 and Traverse City Central from 2007-15.
Division 4
NORWAY
Record/rank: 28-4-1, No. 9
Coach: Tony Adams, 11th season (200-86-4)
League finish: First in Skyline Central Conference
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2024.
Players to watch: Cameron Varda, jr. OF/P (.568, 52 R, 32 RBI, 40 SB); Cole Baij, sr. IF/P (12-2, 1.11 ERA, 130 K/63 IP, .307, 15 SB); Landon Amundson, sr. IF/P (.505, 41 R, 42 RBI, 23 SB); Owen Baij, jr. IF/P (.524, 38 R, 15 2B, 48 RBI, 39 SB, 6-1 pitching, 0.53 ERA, 73 K/40 IP).
Outlook: Six starters are back from the team that made its first Semifinals run and made last season’s final day. Cole Baij, Varda and Amundson all made the all-state first team, and Owen Baij made the second team. The Knights’ only losses this season were a pair to Division 2 Escanaba and one apiece to No. 4 Plymouth Christian Academy and Bonduel of Wisconsin. Four of the team’s six postseason wins ended early because of run differential, and for the entire spring Norway is averaging 10 runs per game. The team’s 183 stolen bases (in 195 attempts) ranks 11th in MHSAA history.
PETERSBURG SUMMERFIELD
Record/rank: 21-10, unranked
Coach: Reid Olmstead, fourth season (49-57-2)
League finish: Third in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2019.
Players to watch: Jude Flowers, soph. P/IF (5-2, 1.59 ERA, 59 K/48 1/3 IP, .270, 41 R, 39 SB); Reece Kalb, jr. P/IF (8-5, 1.36 ERA, 88 K/67 IP, .286, 30 RBI, 13 SB); Tyler Dafoe, sr. IF (.347, 27 R, 29 SB).
Outlook: Summerfield is returning to the Semifinals after winning all of its postseason games by at least five runs, the closest a 5-0 Quarterfinal victory over No. 10 Decatur. The 10-2 District Final win over Britton Deerfield avenged a regular-season sweep. Summerfield finished only 12-17 a year ago but has won 11 straight games to get to championship weekend. Dafoe at shortstop and Brendan Myshock (.302) at first base are the team’s only seniors, and junior Russell LaRocca has been another top hitter at .333 with 26 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Record/rank: 28-7, No. 4
Coach: Eero Perkola, second season (50-19)
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2023.
Players to watch: Cooper Weaver, sr. 3B (.379, 32 R, 28 RBI, 12 SB); Dylan Beasley, jr. UTY (.374, 39 R, 15 2B, 34 RBI, 16 SB); Michael Fernandez, jr. SS/P (.353, 11 2B, 34 RBI, 9-1 pitching, 0.78 ERA, 85 K/53 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Perkola took over following Plymouth Christian’s run to the Finals in 2023 and has the Eagles back two seasons later with a group that should return several contributors next spring. PCA downed No. 8 Royal Oak Shrine in the Regional Final and No. 15 Marine City Cardinal Mooney in the Quarterfinal, and has won 20 of its last 21 games. Senior Micah Lavigne (.344, 34 R, 32 RBI, 11 SB, 5-0 pitching) made the all-state second team last season and is among several more contributors; others include sophomores Carter Dattilio (.419, 33 R, 23 RBI) and Justin Shollack (.370, 14 SB) and junior Luke Janigan (.360, 41 R, 24 SB, 5-2 pitching).
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
Record/rank: 32-1, No. 1
Coach: Bryan Scheurer, 20th season (475-150)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2017, four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jerryd Scheurer, soph. SS/P (7-0, 0.22 ERA); Brady Leonard, jr. P/CF (11-0, 0.89 ERA, 90 K/55 1/3 IP); Charlie Thelen, jr. C/IF. (Hitting statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: The Shamrocks’ lone defeat this season came to No. 2 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart – and St. Patrick avenged it with a 5-4, 12-inning Regional Final victory. The Shamrocks also have defeated No. 11 Fowler, No. 6 Fulton, Dansville and No. 18 Maple City Glen Lake during the postseason. Jerryd Scheurer made the all-state first team, and Thelen made the second team last season. Senior Brayden Simon (6-0, 0.48 ERA, 70 K/44 IP) and sophomore Sean Fedewa (4-0, 0.00 ERA) give St. Patrick two more high-performing arms. Simon is one of only four seniors on the roster.
PHOTO Macomb Dakota’s Braylon Ryan (2) drives a pitch during his team’s 4-0 Division 1 Quarterfinal win over Lake Orion. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)