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Division 3 Team Of The Week: Week 2 - Richmond

RICHMOND - Scott Evans is realistic when it comes to understanding what a 12-0 start to the season means for his Richmond baseball team.

“Some teams started two weeks late and some are fighting covid,” explained the head coach of the Prep Baseball Report Division III Team of the Week. “The end of the year is when we will find out how good we are.”

Right now the Blue Devils are playing well, highlighted by an 11-1 win this past week over Cardinal Mooney Catholic, the second-rated D-IV team in the state. There was also an 11-1 mercy-rule victory over Avondale to conclude last week’s action.

“So far our pitching has carried us,” Evans noted. “We have four guys throwing strikes and we’re making plays. We’ve been able to do that in most games and we’re getting better at the plate. It seems we’re also putting pressure on teams.”

Richmond is winning despite not being at full strength with Mitchell Dobbelaer, the 32nd-rated senior outfielder in the state, and Reese Rinna, the 14th-ranked 2021 outfielder, among those missing time.

“It’s been a tough start for the seniors,” pointed out Evans, who has four 12th-graders on the roster. “Luckily, the underclassmen have stepped up. We brought some young kids up over Easter and they did well. Now they’re battling for spots.”

Carson Gee is one senior that has been a major contributor to date according to Evans.

“Every time we’re flat, he seems to get us going,” Evans said of the senior, who plays catcher, second base, shortstop, outfield and is also used as a closer. “He’s a special kid with special tools.”

Denny Salagon is another who has been performing well. The 44th-ranked junior outfielder in the area, Salagon bats leadoff and also gives the Blue Devils a left-handed pitcher. Bennett Hitzelberger, the third-ranked 2022 LHP, is another southpaw producing on the mound while also playing first base

“He gives us a chance every time he’s on the mound,” Evans said. “He’s also got great feet around the bag.”

Hudson Davenport, an Eastern Michigan commit rated second among junior third basemen in the state, has also shut down opposing batters as has 6-4 junior right-hander Brock Riggs.

“I didn’t think we’d be where we’re at pitching wise because we’re pretty young,” Evans related. “We’ve had a couple surprises and had some great leadership from a couple guys. We also don’t give away quality at-bats.”

But it is on the mound where Richmond has really shined.

“Our pitching staff has been pretty lights out,” Evans said. “Even though we’re playing a D-I schedule, our pitching has been good.”

The strong schedule has featured an 8-5 win over Romeo.

“That surprised me,” Evans admitted. “They’re a senior-laden team and we managed to pull out a victory. They have five to eight guys going to college and Riggs threw a gem against them.”

Evans points to the challenging schedule as beneficial in the long run.

“You always want to schedule to your talent,” explained Evans, whose squad faces Croswell-Lexington and De La Salle two games each this week. “We try to schedule up to give our guys looks at quality pitching.”

Underclassmen Joey Parinello and Jackson Jones are among those producing at the plate for Richmond against the solid opposition, Parinello the 37th-rated junior catcher and Jones the 25th-ranked sophomore outfielder in Michigan.

“Everyone’s been getting on base,” noted the 26th-year head coach who has been at Richmond since 2012. “All our guys are hitting well and having good at-bats. If we continue to learn, get better and play unselfish baseball we have a chance to go as far as our mental game will take us.”

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