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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: Beal City Aggies

MOUNT PLEASANT - It was quite a return to the head baseball coaching position for Brad Antcliff, the Beal City mentor from 2007-16 who came back to lead the Aggies to the 2023 Division 4 state championship.

“Our program is built around discipline and teamwork,” explained Antcliff, who has now led Beal City to state titles in 2009, 2010 and 2023 along with runners-up finishes in 2013 and 2014.  “We have a next man up mentality and our goal every year is to finish in East Lansing.”

The prospects of making that destination become a reality are strong in 2024, with just one starter lost from last season’s squad.

“Our strength is baseball knowledge,” noted Antcliff, who has a 339-72-5 record in 12 seasons as head coach at Beal City, including a 31-8 mark a year ago.

A pair of first-team all-state players are back from the Highland Conference champions to lead the cause this year in seniors Jack Fussman and Josh Wilson. Fussman, a center fielder who batted in the three-hole, hit .465 with 46 RBIs, 51 runs, 19 HBP and 25 stolen bases. Wilson, the cleanup hitter, carried a .445 average with five home runs, 49 RBIs, 42 runs and 15 steals.

Wilson also returns as part of a one-two punch on the mound after going 8-3 with a 1.76 ERA, fanning 60 and walking 28 in 55.2 innings. The senior right-hander threw a three-hit shutout in an 8-0 win over Kalamazoo Hackett in the state semifinals. 

Cayden Smith also returns after the Kent State commit went 6-2 with a 1.57 ERA a year ago, striking out 84 and allowing 13 walks in 44.1 frames. The fourth-rated senior RHP in Michigan, who produced two hits in both state games, driving in three runs in the semifinal as the leadoff hitter, carried a .414 average with two homers, 29 RBIs, 55 runs and 37 stolen bases a year ago while reaching base 13 times on a HBP.

Lane Gross, who was 5-0 with a 1.66 ERA, throwing 33.2 innings with 45 Ks and 17 walks, is another returnee on the mound as well as at third base, with sophomore Blake Walcutt, a left fielder who came on to record a save in the 2-1 state championship game win over Plymouth Christian, adding depth to the pitching staff. 

Catcher Jake Gauthier, who was second-team all-state last season, is another key returnee for the Aggies after batting .330 with 28 RBIs, 20 runs, 14 walks, 6 HBP and 11 stolen bases during the 2023 campaign.

Junior Owen McKenny is also back after playing shortstop and left field last season, with second baseman Cole Tilmann another starter returning.

Westin Anderson, Jamison Latham, Caleb Lehnert, Ryan Bushong and Parker Srenkizwicz are others that Antcliff lists as key components to the 2023 team.

“Our goal every year is to compete for a conference championship,” Antcliff related. “We are a veteran team this year and we hope that we can reach our goals.The keys to success are to stay in the moment, have fun and compete everyday.”

Team Name: Beal City Aggies
Head Coach: Brad Antcliff
Division: 4
2023 Record: 8/7
2023 Tourney Finish: D4 State Champions
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/7

Coach Outlook: "We return all but one starter from last season. If we continue to build and do the little things correctly then we will be competitive all season. We added some solid teams to our schedule that will hopefully help us prepare for a good post season run. "

2024 Team Strengths:

• Pitching
• Defense 

Top Returning Players:

• Cayden Smith SS/P 2024 Kent State Signee .414 AVG 8 2B 3 3B 2 HR 29 RBI- 6-2 1.57 ERA 84 K 28 BB
• Josh Wilson 1B/P .445 Ave 12 2B 1 3B 5 HR 49 RBI- 8-3 1.76 ERA 60 Ks 28 BB
• Jack Fussman .465 Ave 10 2B 1 3B 1 HR 46 RBI

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Cayden Smith (Video Below)
• Jack Fussman
• Josh Wilson
• Lane Gross

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Owen McKenny

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