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With 2023 now in the past, PBR Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2024. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2024 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2024 Team Preview, click here.

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Bay City Western Warriors

AUBURN - A season that started out with so much promise ended in heartbreak last season for Bay City Western with a 2-1 loss to Midland Dow in the district finals.

Hopes are high that the 2024 campaign is every bit as good or better than a year ago when the Warriors won their first 30 games before splitting the final 10 for a final overall mark of 35-5.

“We’re experienced with 10 returners from last year,” related long-time head coach Tim McDonald, who begins his 32nd year at Western with a record of 832-275. “We have a much deeper lineup than in past years and are more athletic.”

There is more that stands out in making the Warriors a team to contend with in the upcoming campaign.

“We have a strong and deep pitching staff,” McDonald noted. “We’re also solid up the middle at center field, shortstop, second base and catcher.”

A trio of pitcher/infielders is back to bring versatility to the lineup with juniors Luke Lacourse and Jack Sequin returning along with senior Reese Southern.

The fourth-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Michigan, Lacourse is a Michigan State commit. Sequin, the 21st-ranked junior RHP in the state, is committed to play at Saginaw Valley State while Southern, the 15th-rated 2024 third baseman in Michigan, is signed to play for Alma. 

Two other seniors are also back to provide valuable leadership to the 2024 Warriors in center fielder Aidan Robinson and catcher Bryce Neitzel. A second-team all-state performer a year ago, Robinson is a Northwood commit while Neitzel, the 29th-ranked senior catcher in the state, has signed with Mott Community College.

There are big holes to replace on the mound with the graduation of Ben Kochany, a first-team all-state pitcher who was the MVP of the Saginaw Valley League, and Cole Schmidt. Kochany is currently pitching at Saginaw Valley State and Schmidt at Mott CC.

Brayden Simmon, the seventh-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in Michigan who can also play first base, is expected to help fill the void on the staff for Western.

There are other concerns as well according to McDonald.

“We have average team speed,” explained the Western mentor, who led the program to consecutive Division 1 state championships in 2013-14, the only school in MHSAA history to accomplish that feat in D-1. “We need to be more aggressive offensively.”

McDonald pointed to the bunting game as a big part of the Western offensive philosophy that has helped bring eight conference championships in the past 11 years.

“We are probably known for our ‘small ball’ and we traditionally have very strong pitching and defense,” McDonald said.

A pair of newcomers are being counted on to play important roles this season. Cal Plarske, the 219th-rated freshman in the country, is “strong with a highly-developed left-handed swing and a high baseball IQ” according to McDonald and could fit in at third base where he is the top-rated freshman in Michigan. In addition, junior Mikey Deluca brings versatility and athleticism as an infielder/outfielder.

“Staying healthy will be a key for us,” McDonald said. “Situational hitting to create offense against good pitching will also be important. We need to play big in big games.”

Grand Blanc and Flint Powers, expected to make deep runs in D-1 and D-2, respectively, will be teams to contend with in the Saginaw Valley League in the eyes of McDonald, with Midland and Mount Pleasant “traditionally quality programs” that should also be in the running along with Western this season. Bay City Western won the SVL by five games a year ago.

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