By John Raffel
Bay City Western is currrent Division 1 state champion in both baseball and softball.
While no one is predicting repeat dual state titles for the Warriors, both teams seem to have enough talent to make it interesting in June.
Western baseball has earned back-to-back titles. The 2014 championship was a surprise to some, perhaps even to coach Tim McDonald, whose squad won 1-0 over Brother Rice in the 2013 title game and 6-2 over Grosse Pointe South last year.
But this is a brand-new season, McDonald points out. “We lost three senior starters who were big losses,” McDonald said. “I’ve seen improvement in all of the returners. But they’re just high school kids, so there’s a fine line between trying to move on and make sure we don’t dwell too much on last year. It’s a good group. They’re focused and they’re hard workers and they’re hungry.
“It’s a new year. We’ve turned the page. We’re proud of what’s happened the last two years. We’ve got some goals we want to meet this year, as well.”
Top returners from last year include junior Jason Clark, who pitched a three-hitter in the state championship game as a sophomore, and No. 2 pitcher Brandon Wise, who also was a sophomore last season and who pitched a shutout in the quarterfinal.
“He’s gotten better and made some strides from last year,” McDonald said.
Alec Justin is a transfer from Midland Dow who gives Western depth in the pitching rotation.
Carson Eby is a three-year starter who was second-team all-state last season, and who has already signed with Saginaw Valley State University’s baseball program.
David Fegan is the team’s senior center fielder and lead-off hitter. “He’s fast and has gotten off to a great start this year,” McDonald said. “He makes our offense go from the lead-off spot.”
Clark, a middle infielder when he doesn’t pitch, is among his team’s top hitters. Hunter David, the starting right fielder, “will be the best example of someone who has a bigger role in terms of run production,” McDonald said. “He’s done well at that.”
The team’s philosophy has stayed the same. “We won’t necessarily be the most talented team,” McDonald said. “We expect to play close games. Our pitching will keep us in games and make us competitive. We pride ourselves on our defense. We will bunt a lot. That’s no secret. We pride ourselves on maybe doing more things right than the other team and finding ways to win.”
While the baseball squad is going for a three-peat state title, the softball team will aim at being repeat champion under new coach Kris Popp, who was an assistant for two seasons.
Four girls graduated from the 2014 team, and two did not come back. The 2015 team has started out 4-1. “We’re doing OK,” Popp said. “We won the county tournament.”
It’s still too early to predict the team’s prospects. “By the end of the season, I think we’ll be out of the growing pains phase and pretty well set in what they’re doing,” Popp said. “They need experience at the varsity level.”
Top returners include Blair Miller, an outfielder and pitcher and top hitter. Kelsie Popp is a second baseman and hits with power, Aliyha Vandervort will do most of the catching, and Madison Brewer will be the primary center fielder. Also back is Melissa Wegener at third base and outfield.
Teamwork will be a key this year, Popp indicated. “By the end, I think they’ll be solid defensively,” she said. “They’ll be playing primarily the same positions all year.”