New Lothrop’s baseball team had designs on a Division 4 title when it played University Liggett School on June 14 in Battle Creek in the semifinals. But the Knights had designs on the title also and ended New Lothrop’s season at 25-6.
New Lothrop had beaten Our Lady of the Lakes 8-5 and Potterville 2-1 in the regional. In the quarterfinal, the Hornets posted a 5-3 victory over Harbor Beach.
In the semifinal game, the Hornets lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Liggett, which scored the game’s only run the bottom of the sixth inning on Nicholas Azar’s sacrifice fly.
Connor Fannon of Liggett tossed a two-hitter, didn’t walk anyone, and fanned eight batters. Mitch Perizzolo pitched a strong six innings for New Lothrop, allowing one earned run on five hits, walking none, and fanning four. Neither team had an error. Mitch Perizzolo and Chris Jamik had the Hornets’ only two hits.
Keith Villano of New Lothrop has amassed a coaching record of 80-19-2 in three years. “As a team, we developed very nicely throughout the season,” he said. “With such a young team, it’s not easy to go out there and play crisp every single day. Somehow we were able to pull things together the middle of the year. We were a team that grew well together.”
Th Hornets had a seccond-team all-stater in sophomore Grant Steinborn. “I preach throwing strikes more than any other coach, and that is what he does best. He throws strikes. When he keeps the ball down in the zone, he’s effective. Our defense was solid behind him; that helps,” Villano said.
Quentin Taylor, a freshman, was the leading hitter at .538.
Steinborn hit .378, while junior Kyle Chappelle hit .308 and played strong at third base.
“It seemed like everyone from top to bottom was able to contribute,” Villano said. “They did a great job of picking each other up.”
New Lothrop lost six seniors from a team that went to the quarterfinal last year. “Coming in, I knew we would have a very young team, as freshmen and sophomores would have to step up and fill some roles,” Villano said. “Young guys can surprise you. I know things have to go well for that to happen, and it did. They played with a lot of confidence. That makes a big difference.”