Auburn Bay City Western’s girls track and field team was second last week in Division 1-2 at the Saginaw Valley Invitational with 95 points. Stephanie Paiot was second in the shot put at 38-2 ½.
Menu
Auburn Bay City Western’s girls track and field team was second last week in Division 1-2 at the Saginaw Valley Invitational with 95 points. Stephanie Paiot was second in the shot put at 38-2 ½.
Midland’s girls track and field team was first last week in Division 1-2 at the Saginaw Valley State Invitational with 117.5 points. Amy Smith was first in the 800 meters in 2:30.24. Midland won the 1,600-meter relay.
Ovid-Elsie lost 5-3 to Midland Bullock Creek in girls tennis action on Thursday. Ovid-Elsie lost in all four singles matches but won three of the four doubles. Grace Samson and Danyelle Frink won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1, Kayla Duckert and Shyler Stehilk prevailed 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2 and Natalee Whitford and Kelsey Church won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4.
Midland Bullock Creek defeated Ovid-Elsie 5-3 in girls tennis action on Thursday.
Bullock Creek won all the singles matches with Mattie Brown 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1, Kim Newman 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2, Sara Terwilleger 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 and Cassy Korson 2-6, 6-6, 7-2 at No. 4. Rachel Dark and Lyndsey Smokovitz won 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles.
By BUTCH HARMON
In just two years, the DeWitt softball team has made a complete turnaround. Even though it was hit hard by graduation last year, it’s primed to build on the positive momentum.
After winning two games in 2012, the DeWitt softball team won the CAAC Red with an 8-1 record and finished 16-11 overall in 2013. While seven senior starters graduated, the Panthers do have some standout players back.
Abby VanLake returns at catcher, where she earned all-league honors last year and hit number five in the batting order. Ally Hawkins returns in the outfield, where she earned all-district honors and was the team’s leadoff batter. Both VanLake and Hawkins are sophomores and team captains this season.
The Panthers also have a pair of senior captains in Katelyn Simon, an outfielder in her third year on the varsity, and Anne Schultz, who plays first and third base. Sophomore Kenzie Kost is back for her second year on the varsity as a middle infielder.
DeWitt also brings in a pair of talented newcomers. Freshmen Nikki Willard and Erica Lee are powers hitters. Willard will also be a pitcher while Lee is an infielder.
“While we are young, I think we will be able to have a strong mental game and overcome adversity,” said coach Keeley Byrnes. “This team has great chemistry and truly loves the game of softball. Our goal is to win the league and districts.”
To do that, the Panthers must avoid injury. “The key will be staying healthy,” Byrnes said. “We have low numbers this year on varsity and junior varsity. If we can stay healthy, we have a shot at winning the league for the second year in a row.”
Fowlerville, Owosso, and St. Johns will be battling the Panthers for the top spot in the league this year.
By BUTCH HARMON
The Chippewa Hills softball team dominated the Central States Athletic Association last year, and with plenty of talent back, the Warriors will be the team to beat once more.
Two seniors, shortstop Teagan Denslow and utility player Taylor Sellers, graduated from last year’s team that won the CSAA with a 17-1 record and finished 22-9 overall. It also won a district title and defeated Fremont in the regional before dropping a 5-4 decision to Escanaba in the regional final.
Pitching will be a strong point this year, as all three pitchers return. They are senior Danielle Eldred and juniors Cassiday Johnson and Kendall Boone.
Senior catcher Lotti Halm also returns, as do Hali Earl, Olivia Wolfe, Brooke Lewandowski, and Kathy McCall.
By BUTCH HARMON
Last season was a memorable one for the Chippewa Hills baseball team. The Warriors not only turned in a 27-8 overall record, but they also won conference, district, and regional championships before falling to eventual state champion Grand Rapids Christian in the Division 2 state semifinal.
While key players like Jake Tarbell, Ty Schafer, Devin Esch, Hayden Denslow, Brent Martin, and Shane Travis have graduated, the Warriors do have talent around which to build this spring.
A pair of juniors lead the charge. Infielder Hunter Conley hit .387 last year, with 10 doubles and 26 stolen bases. Outfielder Tyler Kelsey hit .351 a year ago, with seven doubles and three triples. He also went 4-0 as a pitcher. Senior infielder/pitcher Tyler Williams went 4-1 last year on the mound with a 3.68 ERA.
Senior outfielders Trevor Purdy, Nolan Denlsow, and Kavan Peterson return along with senior infielder Jarrett Humpula.
The team will count on a number of newcomers, including freshman Brett Walcutt, sophomores RJ Simon and Kedrick Adams, and juniors Austin Issette, Zack Sellers, Caleb Martin, and Cole Cummings.
“We have good athleticism and versatility this year,” said coach Ben Wright. He looks for Newaygo, Big Rapids, Central Montcalm, Hesperia, Holton, White Cloud, Reed City, and Morley Stanwood to all be solid in the rugged CSAA.
By BUTCH HARMON
When it comes to bringing heat from the mound, few teams can rival the hard-throwing arms that the Portland baseball team has this spring.
In senior pitchers Tanner Allison and Andrew Click, Portland has as hard-throwing a duo as any team in the state. The pair helped Portland to a 21-14 record last year and a second-place finish to Grand Ledge in the Diamond Classic.
“Tanner and Andrew may hit 90 mph on their fastballs,” coach John Davids said.
Allison and Click, along with fellow senior Austen Brandt, also get the job done at the plate. Allison hit a scorching .491 last year, with 16 doubles, four triples, 29 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. Brandt hit .367, with 10 doubles, 34 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. Click was Portland’s power source last year, as he hit .276 with eight home runs, seven doubles, and 27 RBI.
All three players will be playing college baseball next year, as Allison signed with Western Michigan University, and Click and Brandt have signed with Davenport University.
Blending in with the veterans are some skilled newcomers, including senior Tyler Schrauben, who is returning from an injury; junior Clay Morris; and sophomore Noah Hengesbach.
“We need to develop a young inexperienced infield,” Davids said. “All of the 2013 infielders are gone with the exception of catcher Andrew Click.”
Even so, with the return of Allison, Brandt, and Click, the season looks promising for Portland. The trio has combined for 62 wins over the last three seasons and has won two district championships and reached the regional final twice.
By BUTCH HARMON
Although young this season, the Merrill baseball team has an asset that also makes it dangerous: quality pitching.
Graduation hit the team hard, as key players like all-state catcher Dustin DeBeau, Brandon Mudry, and Derek Good have graduated.
The cupboard is not bare, however, as Hunter DeBeau is back on the mound and will also see action at first base. Kyle Jungnitsch is back at second base for the Vandals, while Chris Marke also returns. Ryan Kade and Julius Glazier are two more pitchers who return with varsity experience, as both earned varsity wins last year. DeBeau will be the staff ace, as he won eight games a year ago, including a win in the district and in the regional tournaments.
“We have a very young team this season, but we have some pitching to really help us out this season,” said coach Dave DeBeau, who is entering his 29th year at Merrill. “We will go as far as our pitching will take us. Our pitchers only start one game a week, unlike most other teams around, but we feel confident that keeps them healthy for the end of the season.”
The key for the Vandals this season will be at the plate. “My biggest concern is on the offensive side,” DeBeau said. “Losing Dustin, Brandon, and Derek takes out 90 hits and 52 RBI from last season along with the senior leadership and program guys. Our guys are working, they know what the expectation are, which is tough after a rough football season and a long basketball season.”
By BUTCH HARMON
With a large group of talented players returning and with some impact transfers, expectations are high for the St. Johns girls soccer team this season.
Last season the Redwings turned in a 10-4 mark, and plenty of talent is back in the fold as the team looks to make a run at its first league title since 2005. Senior sweeper Katie Curley leads the list of returnees. An all-conference player, Curley also earned honorable-mention all-state honors in Division 2 last season. Defense will be a strong point for the squad, as senior defenders Olivia Gearld and Chelsey Thelen and junior defender Dani Schaub all made honorable-mention all-conference. The Redwings also welcome back senior goalkeeper Hannah Trevino, who also earned honorable-mention all-league honors.
St. Johns is also solid in the midfield. Sophomore midfielder Erika Curley was an all-conference and all-district pick a year ago, and junior midfielders Anna Clarizio and Kylie Hollis earned all-conference honors last season.
Junior midfielders Cassie Rapelje and Emily Wenzlick are two more players who earned honorable-mention all-league honors.
A pair of transfers from Laingsburg will give the Redwings even more talent at their disposal. Junior forward Sarah Drury was a first-team all-state selection in Division 4 last year, while junior midfielder Maddie Wilsey was a second-team all-state pick.
“We lost a huge scoring threat in Megan Feldpausch to graduation, but we picked up two transfers from Laingsburg in Wilsey and Drury,” coach Kim Brewbaker said. “We also return our entire defensive back line, led by Katie Curley. We return a very strong midfield that will be complemented by several talented underclassmen that will round out a very talented team. If we can stay healthy, we can compete with the area’s best and hopefully make a run in the state tournament.”
2021© High School Sports Scene. All rights reserved