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• Team Rankings | Heat Sheet | Preseason All-State | Team Previews

2023 MHSAA State Final Four Preview

DIVISION 1

Overview: All of the favorites are out. Only one state-ranked team remains and that is Novi, the No. 18 team in Division 1 that is not in the Prep Baseball Report Power 25 in Michigan. It makes for a wide open Final Four. Just a year ago, two of the teams that are left lost their district openers, Novi and Macomb Dakota. Those two also have the most impressive wins in the tourney to date, Novi knocking off top-rated Northville 6-2 in the regional semifinals and Macomb Dakota posting a 5-1 victory over Lake Orion, a team that upset defending state champion Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in districts.

For Fun Prediction:  

Dylan Hefflinger

• Woodhaven over Dakota
• Novi over Mattawan
  
  • STATE CHAMP - Novi

Bruce Hefflinger

• Dakota over Woodhaven
• Novi over Mattawan
  • STATE CHAMP - Novi

Fan Vote:

• Dakota over Woodhaven
• Novi over Mattawan
  
  • STATE CHAMP - Novi

Brownstown Woodhaven vs. Macomb Dakota

When: Thursday, 9 a.m.

Woodhaven: The Warriors, winners of 18 of their last 20, come in off a 9-7 victory over Grosse Pointe South in the quarterfinals. Woodhaven trailed 7-2 going into the bottom of the sixth but sent 12 to the plate and scored seven runs. Andrew Phillips, Jimmy Chwalek and Michael Budai all had two hits in the game. Senior Evan Langlois, a Wayne State commit, picked up the save after throwing a seven-hitter in a 9-2 win over DeLaSalle in the regional finals. Leadoff hitter Gary Pilgrim, the eighth-rated junior catcher in Michigan, had four hits and scored three runs while Jacob Wright, the 12th-ranked 2024 outfielder in the state, had a home run, double and walk. This marks the second trip to the Final Four in school history for Woodhaven, which was state runners-up in 2018.

Macomb Dakota: An 8-6 win over Grand Blanc has Dakota in the state semifinals for the second time ever. Tied 5-5, Dakota tallied three runs in the fifth inning en route to the victory. Sophomore Luke DeMasse started and pitched four innings. Will DeMasse, the winning pitcher in a 4-2 regional semifinal win against Sterling Heights Stevenson, had four hits and three RBIs in the regional final 5-1 triumph over Lake Orion. Dakota tied Grosse Pointe South for second place behind Stevenson in the Macomb Area Conference Red Division.

No. 18 Novi vs. Mattawan

When: Thursday, 11:30 a.m.

Novi: For the first time in 50 years Novi is in the state semifinals after beating Battle Creek Lakeview 12-2 in the quarterfinals. The 30-8 Wildcats got a two-run double from Brendan Bennett in a 4-0 victory over Hartland in the regional finals, giving Novi its first regional title since 2000. Sophomore Uli Fernster pitched 4.1 innings of no-hit relief with eight strikeouts for the win. Andrew Abler tossed four shutout innings in a 6-2 win over No. 1 Northville with Fernster pitching the final three innings. Bennett, a Clemson recruit ranked number one among junior left-handed pitchers in the state, and Alex Czapski each had two-run doubles for Novi.

Mattawan: The Wildcats have outscored the opposition 17-0 in their last two games and permitted just seven runs in six tournament contests. Drew Atkinson hit a two-run triple against Traverse City West in a 5-0 quarterfinal win and junior Brendan Garza threw 5.1 innings of two-hit ball, fanning six before Michigan commit Kaden Jominy, the 66th-rated freshman right-handed pitcher in the nation, came in for the save. Garza, a junior committed to Ball State who has pitched in all six playoff games, combined with Brendan Schultz, a senior signed with Albion, on a three-hit shutout versus Cedar Springs in the regional finals, while Ian Bouche pounded out three hits, including a home run.

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DIVISION 2

Overview: Four of the top six rated teams in the state are in the Final Four field including defending state champion Forest Hills Eastern. A state final rematch with Grand Rapids Christian is a possibility, but each has a tough road to get past the semifinals. University Liggett, which was stunned in the districts a year ago on a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh while leading Edison 4-1, has 11 seniors on a squad that has outpointed the opposition 68-4 in the tournament. Flint Powers Catholic, winners of a school record 33 games, is in its first state semifinal since 1984.

For Fun Prediction:  

Dylan Hefflinger

• Grand Rapids Christian over Flint Powers Catholic
• University Liggett over Forest Hills Eastern
  
  • STATE CHAMP - University Liggett

Bruce Hefflinger

• Grand Rapids Christian over Flint Powers Catholic
• University Liggett over Forest Hills Eastern
  • STATE CHAMP - University Liggett

Fan Vote:

• Grand Rapids Christian over Flint Powers Catholic
• University Liggett over Forest Hills Eastern
  
  • STATE CHAMP - University Liggett

No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian vs. No. 6 Flint Powers Catholic

When: Friday, 9 a.m.

Grand Rapids Christian: The Eagles are at state after a mercy rule 12-2 win against 21st-rated Olivet in the quarterfinals. Ty Uchman, the sixth-ranked senior southpaw in the state and a George Mason commit, gave up two runs on four hits in 4.1 innings before Cam Seth finished up. Uchman had two hits in the game. Kyle Remington, a Minnesota commit who threw a five-hitter in a 9-1 win over Grosse Ile in the state semifinals last year, tossed a six-hitter against 10th-ranked Stevensville Lakeshore in an 8-2 regional final win. Cam Seth pitched the final frame for GR Christian, which had RBI singles from Luke Gelderloos, Parker Seth and Isaac Hubka. Western Michigan recruit Jackson Isaacs, the fifth-rated 2024 outfielder in the state, bats third for the Eagles, which have six of their top seven hitters back from last season. Senior center fielder Josh Winkle and junior 3B/2B/RHP Cannon Paul are other key players for the sixth-ranked team in the PBR Power 25. The Eagles have won state in 2013, 2012 and 1985 (Class B) while finishing second last year, 2011 and 2005.

Flint Powers Catholic: The Chargers look to continue a record-setting season highlighted by a 9-5 win over eighth-rated Frankenmuth in the quarterfinals. Isaac Sturgess gave up three runs in 5.2 innings and Fisher Hendershot had two hits and four RBIs for Flint, with Sturgess, Connor Kelly, Gavin Darling and Elijah Britton also producing a pair of hits apiece. Grant Garman, an Oakland commit rated seventh among junior left-handed pitchers in the state, struck out 15 and did not walk a batter in a five-hit 6-1 win over Madison Heights Lamphere in the regional finals. Nik Stimac had two hits including a home run while Sturgess, Kelly, Hendershot, and Jack Dauley all produced a pair of hits for the Chargers, the 24th-rated team in the PBR Power 25, which won state in 1974 and 1980.

No. 3 University Liggett vs. No. 4 Forest Hills Eastern

When: Friday, 11:30 a.m.

University Liggett: The Knights, a state Final Four participant 12 times and a state finalist nine times, are going after state title number seven. Liggett has cruised in the tournament with a 4-1 win over Riverview in the regional finals the only non-double digit victory. Preston Barr had a three-hitter with eight Ks and no walks in that game with Jarren Purify, the 29th-rated senior shortstop in the country, going 2-4 with an RBI. Barr and Joey Randazzo also drove in a run. Purify, a Clemson signee, was 3-4 in a 14-3 victory against 20th-rated Adrian in the quarterfinals while Oliver Service, a Texas signee rated third among 2023 catchers in Michigan, went 2-3 with a home run and four RBIs. Barr, a junior committed to Michigan, was 2-4 while Randazzo threw a complete game allowing four hits and no walks. Randazzo had consecutive perfect games in  three-inning wins over Southlake in the district finals and Detroit Prep in the regional semifinals for Liggett, which has won state in 2021, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011 and 1979.

Forest Hills Eastern: The defending champs have a pair of impressive 2-0 wins in the tournament, beating 23rd-ranked Allendale in the regional semis and second-rated Bay City John Glenn in the regional finals. Jacob Pallo fired a two-hitter against Allendale while Walker Brockie gave up three hits in five innings versus John Glenn with Owen Mast recording the save. Brendan Thompson had the only Forest Hills Eastern hit against John Glenn, stealing second and scoring from second base on a wild pitch for one of the two runs. The Hawks tallied four runs in the seven in a 7-2 win over Spring Lake in the quarterfinals.

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DIVISION 3

Overview: With the exception of Standish-Sterling, the other three teams have not been to the Final Four in at least a decade. For Algonac, it is the first ever. While Algonac and Lansing Catholic came into the tournament highly ranked, it has been far from easy for any of these teams. Algonac has had three double-digit wins and a pair of close wins, including a 5-3 victory over Ecorse in the regional finals. Lansing Catholic had a tight game with Watervliet in the quarterfinals. Bridgman has won its last two games 4-3, including a nine-inning battle in the quarters. Standish Sterling, a state semifinalist a year ago for the first time since 1976, had to rally from a two-run deficit in the seventh inning to get to state.

For Fun Prediction:  

Dylan Hefflinger

• Algonac over Lansing Catholic
• Standish-Sterling over Bridgman
  
  • STATE CHAMP - Algonac

Bruce Hefflinger

• Algonac over Lansing Catholic
• Standish-Sterling over Bridgman
  • STATE CHAMP - Algonac

Fan Vote:

• Algonac over Lansing Catholic
• Standish-Sterling over Bridgman
  
  • STATE CHAMP - Algonac

No. 2 Algonac vs. No. 6 Lansing Catholic

When: Thursday, 2:30 p.m.

Algonac: The Muskrats have lived up to their high ranking with a 10-0 win over Montrose in the regional semis and 11-1 over Cass City in the quarterfinals. Southpaw Andrew Thomason and Cole Thaler combined on a no-hitter versus Montrose, Thomason fanning eight in four innings. Josh Kasner, the third-rated junior RHP in the state and a Michigan commit, has thrown two no-hitters this season for the Blue Water Area Conference champions. Sophomore lefty Bryce Simpson adds depth to the staff. Tyler Schultz, a second baseman/catcher headed to Mid-Michigan Community College, and Cal Meleski, a junior outfielder, are among the standouts for head coach Scott Thaler, whose team is ranked 12th in the PBR Power 25.

Lansing Catholic: A five-run second inning propelled Lansing Catholic past fifth-ranked Watervliet 6-4 for the school’s first state semifinal berth since 2012. Tyler Rakan had a triple and drove in three runs while Drew Diehl gave up one earned run in a three-hit performance. The Cougars won their second straight regional title with a 7-0 win over No. 4 North Muskegon. Drew Burlingame had two hits and three RBIs while Drew Tolfree fired a three-hit shutout with seven Ks and no walks for Lansing, which defeated 17th-rated Pewamo-Westphalia in the district final.

Bridgman vs. Standish Sterling

When: Thursday, 5 p.m.

Bridgman: The Bees are in the Final Four for the first time since 2013, thanks to a walkoff single by Alec MacMartin, the 27th-rated junior shortstop in the state. Riley Gloe led off the ninth inning with a single for Bridgman and scored the game-winning run in the 4-3 quarterfinal victory over Ottawa Lake Whiteford. Bridgman nipped Grass Lake 4-3 in the regional finals. The Bees also had a tight one in the district finals, going eight innings to defeat Nile Brandywine 10-9. Bridgman’s lone state championship came in Class D in 1987. The Bees lost in the state finals in Division 3 in 2011 and in Class D in 1994.

Standish-Sterling: The Panthers, which lost to Buchanan 6-1 in eight innings in the 2022 state semifinals, are back in East Lansing after a come-from behind 5-4 victory over 19th-ranked Gladstone in the quarterfinals. Trailing 4-2, one-out RBI doubles by Ty Yourton and Carson Koin tied the game in the seventh and Kasen Wendel followed with a suicide squeeze to plate Yorton with the game-winning run. Freshman Preston Kann then closed it out with a 1-2-3 seventh. Kann and Cooper Pratt had two hits each, Sam Briggs had a home run and Cody Bartlett gave up one run in five innings. Prout went the distance in a 10-6 win over 18th-rated Charlevoix in the regional finals. Brayden Schabel had four hits and three RBIs and Koin also drove in three for the 29-14 Panthers. 

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DIVISION 4

Overview: Beal City and Rudyard are both back at state after coming up short a year ago. Beal City lost to Gabriel Richard 4-3 in the state finals while Rudyard fell short against Gabriel Richard 10-3 in the semifinals. Also in this year’s field is Plymouth Christian, which was defeated by Gabriel Richard 12-3 in the regional semifinals in 2022. Hackett Catholic Prep, is back after winning the 2021 state crown.

For Fun Prediction:  

Dylan Hefflinger

• Beal City over Hackett Catholic Prep
• Rudyard over Plymouth Christian
  
  • STATE CHAMP - Beal City

Bruce Hefflinger

• Beal City over Hackett Catholic Prep
• Rudyard over Plymouth Christian
  • STATE CHAMP - Beal City

Fan Vote:

• Beal City over Hackett Catholic Prep
• Plymouth Christian over Rudyard
  
  • STATE CHAMP - Plymouth Christian

No. 11 Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep vs. No. 2 Beal City

When: Friday, 2:30 p.m.

Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep: The prep school in Kalamazoo cruised past third-ranked Decatur 7-0 in the quarterfinals with sophomore Preston Cosby allowing just four hits in 6.1 innings while fanning 14. Nick Verduzco, a senior committed to Ashland, had a pair of doubles and a single. In the regional finals, Hackett Catholic jumped out to an 8-0 lead over Petersburg and held on for an 8-6 win. Freshman David Verduzco pitched the seventh inning for a save after a six-run Petersburg rally. Hackett opened regional play with a 5-1 victory over 13th-rated Byron Center Zion Christian.

Beal City: The Aggies have outscored opponents 53-4 in the tournament including an 11-2 win over sixth-ranked Fowler in the quarterfinals. Kent State commit Cayden Smith, the seventh-ranked junior shortstop in Michigan, struck out 15 in a three-hit performance, allowing two hits and both runs in the first inning. Smith also hit two doubles as did Braylon Zuker. Jack Fussman went 4-4 in the quarterfinals after reaching base in all four plate appearances in a 10-0 regional final win over No. 10 Glen Lake. Josh Wilson was the winning pitcher for Beal City, the state runners-up in 2022, 2018, 2014 and 2013 after winning championships in 2009 and 2010. Beal City also claimed the 1993 Class D title.

Rudyard vs. No. 5 Plymouth Christian

When: Friday, 5 p.m.

Rudyard: After not permitting a run in the regionals, Rudyard outlasted Painsdale-Jeffers 7-4 in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs, known for their ability to steal bases, beat a pair of state-ranked teams in the regionals, No. 4 Indian Lakes 5-0 in the semis and No. 15 Rogers City 12-0 in the finals. Aiden Bickel had a two-hitter with five Ks against Inland Lakes with junior Kallen Lawler throwing the final two innings. Bickel, a shortstop when not pitching, is one of a handful of standout juniors on the squad, including third baseman Cam Peterson, 2B/RHP Landen Mayer and centerfielder Eli Sprague. 

Plymouth Christian Academy: The Eagles are in the Final Four for the first time in school history. After knocking defending state champion Gabriel Richard out of the tournament 9-2 in the regional semifinals, Plymouth Christian edged Brown City 7-4 before taking out 20th-ranked Royal Oak Shrine Catholic 10-0 in the quarterfinals. Jordan Scott threw five scoreless two-hit innings with a dozen strikeouts against Brown City for his 11th win of the season. Riley Brodhagen had two hits. Tyler Scott tossed a two-hitter in the five-inning quarterfinal victory. Noah Etnyre hit three doubles and scored three runs in sending the Eagles to state while Joey Weertz and Scott each had three hits, with Scott driving in three runs.