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2022 Michigan High School Team Previews

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2022 Spring Team Preview: Grand Blanc

GRAND BLANC - With seven starters back, including the majority of the pitching staff from a Division 1 state championship team, Grand Blanc is certainly the favorite to repeat this season, correct?

“I’m sure we’re not going to sneak up on anybody but I don’t think we're the favorite since Orchard Lake is joining Division I,” noted Grand Blanc head coach Kevin Hubbs, referring to the nationally-rated defending D-2 state champs in Michigan.

But there is little doubt that Grand Blanc will most definitely be in the picture when it comes to contending for another state crown.

“The culture is probably our number one strength,” pointed out the sixth-year head coach of the Bobcats. “The attitude we have, it’s a good positive culture. Everyone gets along and works hard. We have experience on the big stage so we also hope that will be a strength for us. Our pitching staff is also pretty good.”

David Lally, Nate Helms and Damien Tipton headline a pitching staff that includes seniors Kyle Keener and Braxton McVicar, the lone left-hander. Junior Will Fockler and sophomores Nathan Fidelino and Bryce O’Mara are others that are expected to get innings.

“The key for us is to continue pitching well and playing defense,” Hubbs said. “Those two things we strive to always be consistent with. Having that same hunger and want as we did last year is also key.”

Lally, the 45th-rated 2022 right-handed pitcher in the nation, will be the pitching ace and play shortstop when not on the mound, while also batting third or fourth. The Notre Dame commit was 11-2 with a 0.67 ERA last year striking out 93 in 62 innings while also batting .440 with 53 RBIs, 14 doubles, seven triples and six home runs.

Helms, the number two pitcher who also plays first base, is a Northwood commit who was all-league and all-district a year ago after hitting .355 with six homers and 44 RBIs while recording a 7-3 record on the mound with a 1.78 ERA.

Tipton was the number three hurler last season with a 4-2 record for a staff that features a ton of depth this year with Keener, a Lansing Community College signee, and McVicar, an Albion commit with a 2-0 record a year ago.

“We also have some up-and-coming arms,” Hubbs said, pointing to the 6-7 O’Mara, the 22nd-rated 2024 right-handed pitcher in Michigan.

Strong pitching is not the only strength with this year’s Grand Blanc squad.

“We have a lot of guys that are interchangeable,” Hubbs noted. “That’s one of the nice things about our kids and the program. We like them to be athletic and be able to move around. We don’t pigeonhole that you’re just a second baseman or just a catcher. We have a lot of versatility with players that can move around.”

In addition to Lally at shortstop, Francisco Dionne and Hunter Ames can fill in at the position, with Dionne also playing second base and Ames catcher, a position the Hope commit for football and baseball earned all-league and all-district honors a year ago after driving in 29 runs and stealing 14 bases while averaging .375.

Jack Goldie, another Hope football commit, brings depth at catcher with junior Travis Parsons, another second baseman. Fidelino, the top-ranked sophomore third baseman in Michigan with “Power 5-type ability” according to Hubbs, is penciled in at third base in addition to seeing time on the mound. Fidelino batted .345 with eight doubles and 33 RBIs as a freshman

Dylan Bowen, a Delta Community College recruit and the 32nd-ranked senior outfielder in Michigan, will play center field with senior Seth Austermann in one corner outfield position. Seniors Jordan Allen and Connor Cooper, a Delta commit, along with juniors Alex Stuart and Cole Mead, the 133rd-ranked 2023 in the state, are also contending for playing time in the outfield.

Grand Blanc and Midland tied for first place in the always strong Saginaw Valley league last season with HH Dow, Bay City Western and Mount Pleasant other powerhouse programs.

“The biggest thing is the kids can’t rest on their laurels,” Hubbs noted. “Hitting is always a question, you don’t know how kids will react the first time they face good pitching. Last year pitching and defense carried us, we just hope the offense is consistent this year.”

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