Robert Backus was deadly in the state finals as Mount Pleasant’s leadoff hitter, and he got the job done in the drive to the Division 2 state title.
Backus, the second baseman and leadoff hitter, had two hits and two RBI and scored one run in his team’s 7-2 victory over Richmond in the title game. In his team’s semifinal victory over Gull Lake, Backus had a hit and scored a run.
“It feels awesome,” he said. “It’s an amazing way to end my high school career. It’s crazy; can’t believe it.”
Mount Pleasant has established itself as a baseball-rich community. “Since 2007, they’ve been back here to the semis and finals,” said Backus. “Last year, we were in the quarterfinals. That made our senior class hungry. We came here with fire in our bellies and were ready to go.
“This is a great community and great coaching. It’s what Mount Pleasant is all about.”
Backus could feel the confidence from his team. “We’ve just been going since the playoffs, and our pitching has been outstanding, and we’ve been hitting the ball really well,” Backus said, adding that his team’s quick lead against Richland was huge. “I love leading off, and even more, I like leading off the game with a base hit. That’s the goal of a leadoff hitter. When I can do that, I live it. It sets the tone for the game.”
It’s his second season on varsity.
“I had a change of roles from last year, being a senior,” he said. “I had to step up, be a role model, and be a leader for all the younger guys. We had a lot of sophomores and juniors, even a freshman.”
Plenty of work was invested into the off-season to reach this moment.
“It really paid off,” he said. “This is what I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little kid, watching them win it in 2007. It’s what I and all the other seniors always wanted to do.”
Backus is now ready to take his talents to Northwood University, a Division II school that competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“There’s a couple of guys from teams I played with before that played there,” he said. “I’m looking forward to new things and good opportunities that will come for me.”