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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: Forest Hills Eastern Hawks

FOREST HILLS - Ian Hearn is finding baseball enjoyable at Forest Hills Eastern.

“We have very passionate kids that love to play baseball,” explained the ninth-year head coach of the Hawks. “They’re getting additional training and games in during the off-season. They keep on coming and keep on working. It’s continued to grow in the lower levels. It’s important here. People are excited about it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Winning helps the cause for Hearn, who has an overall coaching record of 635-253-4 after last year’s 32-9 mark that ended with a loss in the Division 2 state semifinals.

“We lost some good competitors from last season,” noted Hearn, whose biggest losses from a year ago are first-team all-state pitcher Jacob Pallo, now at Hillsdale, all-conference hurler Walker Brockie, who finished 8-0 in 2023, and center fielder and leadoff hitter Collin Fridsma, who set school records in runs scored and stolen bases and is now playing at Grand Rapids Community College.   

“We do have pitching depth this year,” proclaimed Hearn, who led Eastern to the Division 2 state championship in 2022. “We have guys coming in to provide that depth. Time will tell, we don’t have that big-game experience yet, but we do have a lot of good ones.”

Owen Nies, Landen Lindley, Cam Pallo, Keegan Penkevich, Manel Conners and Max Ferrick are expected to lead the way on the mound this season for the Hawks. Nies is the 79th-rated senior RHP in Michigan, Lindley the 26th-ranked junior right-hander in the state and Pallo the fifth-ranked sophomore righty in Michigan. Penkevich, Conners and Ferrick are all junior right-handers, with Ferrick, a returning all-state performer in the outfield after batting .385 with 16 extra-base hits, 37 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

The sixth-ranked 2025 outfielder in the state is expected to be joined in the outfield by a pair of seniors, Drew Patten, who carried a .277 average last season, and Ben Dingman, who saw part-time action in 2023.

Brendan Thompson will anchor the infield after earning all-state recognition a year ago. The second-rated 2025 shortstop in Michigan hit .361 with a .450 on-base percentage, scoring 38 runs, driving in 31 and stealing 19 bases.

Pallo will likely be at second base with Ferrick or Matt Stotts playing third base. The 18th-ranked senior catcher in Michigan, Stotts, a Lee University commit who was all-state following a .371 season with 31 RBIs in 2023, will share time behind the plate with James Dempsey, the ninth-ranked junior catcher in the state who batted .291 a year ago.

First base is wide open according to Hearn, whose biggest concerns this year are new leadership, big-game experience on the mound and continued growth.

“I think our strength will be defense,” Hearn related. “We had quality offense last year and I think that will continue to improve. I also like our pitching depth.”

There is more that stands out to the Forest Hills Eastern mentor.

“We have pretty good balance from a lot of different classes,” Hearns noted. “Our ’24s have quality players, they’re just not large in number. The ’25s and ’26s are good and the ’27s look solid, too.

“The key that will help us is the growth of the team as the season goes on and the growth of the pitching staff.”

A challenging schedule that includes the addition of Mattawan, a D-1 state semifinalist last season, is valuable according to Hearn, whose Hawks are in search of a fourth-consecutive league championship. Eastern has also won five academic all-state team honors in a row.

Team Name: Forest Hills Eastern Hawks
Head Coach: Ian Hearn
Division: 2
2023 Record: 32-9
2023 Tourney Finish: State Semifnals loss to University Liggett
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/3

Coach Outlook: "The team will have a strong mix of experience and young talent. The focus will continue to be on improving, Getting Better Every Day, Team, while embracing the hard."

2024 Team Strengths:

• Defense
• Team Offense
• Pitching Depth
• Speed
• Experience Balance

Top Returning Players:

• Brendan Thompson, SS, 2025, 6'1, 175, R/R, outstanding player, prospect, played in future games.
• Cam Pallo, RHP/INF, 2026 outstanding player and prospect.
• Max Ferrick, OF, 2025, 5'10, 190, R/R, outstanding player, prospect, all state.
• James Dempsey, Catcher, 2025, 6'1, 180, R/R, outstanding catcher and prospect.
• Landan Lindley, RHP, 2025, 6'4, 200. Excellent pitcher, prospect, and high ceiling.
• Matt Stotts, 3rd/C/OF, 2024, 5'10, 200, Signed with Lee University.
• Owen Nies, RHP , 2024, 6'2, 155, Signed with Alma College.
• Ben Dingman, OF, 2024, 6'2, 175, R/R.
• Drew Patten, OF, 2024, OF, 5'10, 180, R/R.
• Manel Conners, RHP/OF, 2025, 6'1, 165, R/R.
• Max Jerow, RHP, 2025, 6'3, 180.

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Owen Nies (Alma College)
• Matt Stotts (Lee University)
• Ben Dingman (TBD)

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Brendan Thompson
• James Dempsey
• Max Ferrick
• Landan Lindley
• Keegan Penkevich
• Manel Conners

Class of 2026 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Cam Pallo
• Ben Fausey INF
• Kenric Penevich INF/RHP/OF
• Colton Brinks RHP

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