Mount Pleasant had an amazing baseball season, but the Oilers wish it could have been more amazing in some respects.
The team went to the quarterfinals in Division 2 and seemed ready to head to the state semifinals in Battle Creek. It had a 5-1 lead over Chippewa Hills going to the seventh inning, but the Warriors put together a stunning rally and won the game 6-5 in the last inning.
The Oilers finished the season with a 28-9 record. They were third in their conference under veteran coach Luke Epple. Bay City Western, the Division 1 state champ, took the league title.
In the regionals, the Oilers defeated John Glenn, which was ranked No. 1 in the state at that time in Division 2.
“We’re a young club and didn’t have too many seniors,” Epple said. “We played a very tough schedule. We played Grand Ledge; Grosse Pointe South; and Grand Rapids Christian, which won the Division 2 state crown; Bay City Western; and Midland.
“We played a tough schedule, and we got better as the season went on,” Epple said. “We dominated the quarterfinal until the last inning. They got two or three hits on us, we walked four or five guys, and they scored five runs and beat us 6-5. Baseball can be a funny game. We matched up well with them.”
Daniel Pulver, a shortstop and pitcher, batted .418 to lead the Oiler offense. He also scored 38 runs and knocked in 44, and had 11 doubles, five triples, and three home runs.
Corey Williams hit .378 with 10 doubles, three triples, one home run, and 32 RBI. He played centerfield and was one of the team’s starting pitchers.
“Quite a few guys are coming back,” Epple said. “Next year, we should be competitive again. We were in the quarterfinals, and that could be a goal again. We’ll have a few more seniors. We have good pitching coming back, including Aaron Leasher. He’ll be a senior and is a big lefty. He was 8-1 for us with one save.”