By BUTCH HARMON
DIVISION 1
Top teams statewide: Portage Central, Plymouth-Canton, Hudsonville
Top area teams: Mercy, Lake Orion, Clarkston, Bay City Western
Mercy may have the most devastating one-two hitting combination in the state, in senior Alex Sobczak and junior Abby Krzywiecki. A year ago, Sobczak hit .613 with nine home runs and 62 RBI. Krzywiecki hit .530 last season and is also strong on the mound, as she went 18-1 with a 1.62 ERA.
Lake Orion is strong in the circle, with senior pitcher Sierra Gonzales. Senior infielder Alex Carpenter hit .493 last season, while senior shortstop Rachel Dolland hit .433.
Clarkston, in the same district as Lake Orion, has a bevy of hitters. Senior Rachel Vieira, a Central Michigan University recruit, hit .500 last year, with six home runs and 44 RBI. Junior catcher Abby Skvarce, a University of Michigan recruit, hit .490 last season, while senior Mikayla Blaska hit .509.
Defending state champion Bay City Western was hit hard by graduation but still returns a good nucleus. Senior Blair Miller hit .441 last year with 25 RBI. An outfielder with a strong arm, she has stepped in at pitcher this season. The Warriors also return veterans Kelsie Popp, Madison Brewer, and Melissa Wegener.
More area teams to watch:
Bay City Central has a talented, veteran team this season. Senior Kelsey Coberley hit .487 with 21 RBI last year and struck out 147 batters as a pitcher. Senior Ally Skrzypczak hit .593 and drove in 36 runs, with senior Lauren Rogers returning to centerfield.
Midland has a strong group of hitters this season, led by Tara and Julia Gross, Maya Kiefmiller, and freshman Allison Gray.
Brandon is led by standout senior Katelyn Hendershott, who hit .527 last year and who had a 1.25 ERA as a pitcher.
Novi looks to be improved this year and is led by junior standout Nicole Ireland, who hit .385 last year with four home runs and 34 RBI.
St. Johns returns plenty of veteran talent. Senior Kayleigh Smith will pitch and play the outfield, while senior Alex Davis returns at first base. Junior Adriann Simison returns behind the plate.
Holt returns junior pitcher Bry Chapman, who earned all-state honors last year. The Rams also have senior Lindsay Reed in the middle infield and senior Ashley Lounds at first base.
DIVISION 2
Top teams statewide: Lakeshore, Wayland, Escanaba
Top area teams: Bullock Creek, Swan Valley, Portland
Bullock Creek suffered some graduation losses, but enough talent returns that it is again one of the top teams in the state. Shelby Bailey and Megan Robinette give the team some talented pitching. The potent offense is led by Sabrina Ferrell, Rylie Kalina, Ellie Juengel, Savannah Lambert, Bailey, and Robinette.
Swan Valley has plenty of new faces this season but plenty of talent, as well. Senior first baseman Paige Churchfield is a proven power hitter. Madison McLeod and Karlee Larson are also strong hitters. Callie Burgess is a solid hitter and one of the top pitchers. Kalynn Gulliver is another strong pitcher.
Portland is another young and highly talented team. Freshmen pitchers Shelby Battley and Abby Grys are a talented pair. Grys is also a solid hitter. Junior second baseman Olivia Roe is a big hitter as is Chloe Adams. Junior Rachel Click is an outstanding catcher and hitter, while Jaylen Barker returns in the outfield.
More area teams to watch:
John Glenn has a potent offense and is led by sophomore infielder Kennedy Clyde, who hit .486 last year with 10 home runs and 62 RBI.
Essexville-Garber has a potent offense this year, led by Allison Newton, Casey Blundell, and Kaylee Meyers.
Frankenmuth features strong pitching, with senior Amariah Wright. Wright is also part of a potent offense that includes Kayla Brooks, Ivy Holland, and Makenzie Sipes.
Mt. Pleasant has a solid squad this season, led by pitcher Megan Kramer. Rebecca Curtis, Hannah Carson, and Kramer pace the offense.
Alma’s offense is led by Kendall Vedrode, Taylor Kinunin, and Emmi and Evalan Vandemark. Amanda Efaw heads up the pitching.
Ionia has a solid one-two pitching combination of Keegan Kelley and Bre Miller. The Bulldogs also have a solid offense, led by Cosby Franks, Rhyleigh Kelley, Ashley White, and Makayla Delo.
Lakewood has a solid one-two pitching combination of sophomores Kennedy Geiger and Miranda Barton. Kennedy Hilley leads the offense, along with Kate Richmond, Aaron Kietzman, and Geiger.
Eaton Rapids was hit hard by graduation but always has a solid squad. Senior shortstop Olivia O’Connor returns, along with outfielder Kay Zimmerman and Miranda Hector.
Owosso has a strong group of returnees, led by seniors Haylee Zyrowski, Brooklyn Jodway, and Sarah Vreibel.
DIVISION 3
Top teams statewide: Gladstone, Clinton, St. Mary Catholic Central
Top area teams: Valley Lutheran, Reese, Ithaca
Valley Lutheran returns power hitter Gabrielle Newman, along with pitching standout Sydney Little.
Reese is led by the pitching of junior Kaylee Roles and Mackenzie Coulter. Senior Mikaela Stricker leads the offense, along with junior Maddie Coulter, Abbey Ackerman, and Carlee Selle.
Ithaca is primed for a big season with the return of junior standout Kylee Chaffin, who is a shortstop and pitcher. Freshman Kayla Belles will also pitch and play shortstop. Senior Kenzie Thompson returns at first base, and Courtney Cooley is at third. Brooklyn Dolloff is a talented junior outfielder.
More area teams to watch:
Shepherd welcomes back junior Haley Buckley, who is a standout pitcher. Senior Charlie Bryant, a Central Michigan University recruit, hit .415 last season with 38 RBI. Ryanne McKenna and Bailey Brown also add to the hitting.
Carson City-Crystal is strong in the circle, with pitching ace Whitney LaVictor.
Saranac is one of the premier teams in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference. Junior Maddie Miller and Josie Manion are a pair of pitching aces. The team has plenty of offense, with seniors Kaylee Hardy, Haley Lake, Macaela Perry, and Sydney Gage.
Lansing Catholic has a strong offense, paced by senior Eliese Hornberger, who hit .495 last year.
Perry is led on offense by senior Lauren Aldrich, who hit .457 last season with eight home runs.
DIVISION 4
Top teams statewide: Rogers City, Unionville-Sebawaing, Holton
Top area teams: Fowler, Coleman, Sacred Heart Academy
Fowler reached the state semifinal last June, where it fell to Rogers City. The Eagles have the talent to make a return trip this season. Senior shortstop Tori Wirth is a returning all-stater. In the circle is talented pitcher Sydney Feldpausch, who was honorable-mention all-state. Kara Schafer is a returning all-state catcher, while junior Taylor Schmitt is back at second base.
Coleman has an imposing offensive team, led by junior Grace Staley, who hit .505 last year with 24 RBI. Junior third baseman Carley Starnes hit .403 last season. The Comets also return senior outfielder Chelsea Gordon, along with pitchers Laken Berthume and Miranda Coty.
Sacred Heart Academy is paced by senior Riley Terwilliger. Terwilliger hit .430 last year and is helping with the pitching this season. Lauren Fox is the ace of the staff that also includes Lexie Methner, who is a top hitter. Freshman shortstop Hayden Terwilliger is a newcomer to watch.
More area teams to watch:
Morrice has a solid team this spring, led by junior catcher Averi Munro, a returning all-state player. Senior Lauren Barnes returns at first base, and senior Melissa Allen is at second base. Sophomore Julie O’Berry is stepping up at pitcher.
Vestaburg reached the state semifinal a year ago. Almost all of the starters off that team graduated, so rebuilding is in the cards this spring.
Beal City is led by standout senior Jordan Schneider.
Breckenridge has a solid pair of pitchers in Sydney Sheldon and Holly Gregory. Sheldon and Gregory are also part of a potent offense that includes Nicole Olander, Kirby Huntoon, and Emily Chapin.