Michigan Regionals: Division I Picks and Predictions

June 7, 2013

By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

Here are your final regional predictions. Lets finish with the big boys: Division I

Visit the Michigan High School Athletic Association's website here to view complete interactive brackets.

Regional 1

Teams:
Grand Blanc vs Flushing
Traverse City West vs Bay City Western

It is Michigan vs Michigan State as Brett Adcock (Bay City Western) and Walter Borkovich (Traverse City West) face off. This is one of the best matchups in the state along with Deeg and Lowery (see below). The winner of this game should advance to the quarters. We think Bay City Western is deeper.

Our Pick: Bay City Western

Regional 2

Teams:

Rockford vs Forest Hills Central
Mona Shores vs Hudsonville

Michigan commit, Oliver Jaskie is liable to throw a gem. Expect the Forest Hills Central/Rockford game to be close. We like Rockford by a little bit. In the finals it will come down to the two rivals as Rockford and Hudsonville will face off. Hudsonville is playing for more as teammate Tom Sikkema is battling a brain tumor.

Our Pick: Hudsonville

Regional 5

Teams:
Livonia Stevenson vs Grosse Pointe South
Detroit Western vs U of D Jesuit

Hector Gutierrez vs TJ Shook , both Michigan commits, in Game 2 will be a big one. Shook has the edge and U of D Jesuit's pitching has just enough to squeak through to the quarters.

Our Pick: U of D Jesuit

Regional 6

Teams:
Macomb Dakota vs Sterling Heights Stevenson
Warren Woods Tower vs Warren Cousino

We have been singing the praises of Sterling Heights Stevenson all year long. Why stop now? We like Stevenson to beat Dakota for a third time this season but it will be close. If Cousino can get through Woods Tower without using ace Rob Cleary then they may be in business.

Our Pick: Sterling Heights Stevenson

Regional 7

Teams:
Hartland vs Lake Orion
Rochester Adams vs Stoney Creek

Lake Orion's pitching staff is second to none. But their offense just isn't up to par. Lake Orion just doesn't have enough to beat Jake Lowery (Hartland). In a low scoring affair Hartland wins. Stoney Creek will have to use Kyle Schweiger to get to the finals but Hartland stops them there.

Our Pick: Hartland

Regional 8

Teams:
Northville vs North Farmington
Walled Lake Northern vs Birmingham Brother Rice

Sterling Sharp (North Farmington) should lead his team over Northville but that may be the end of the line. Brother Rice is just too deep in this regional. If they play the way they can, it should be a no brainer.

Our Pick: Brother Rice

Regional 3

Teams:
Ann Arbor Huron vs Howell
Portage Northern vs Grand Ledge

Huron has had a nice run but it stops against Howell. Howell is too deep. Jacob Gividen struck out 14 against Mattawan and he is hot right now but after him they may have some trouble. Howell breezes through Game 1 and moves on to the quarters after Game 2. Expect to see them in Battle Creek.

Our Pick: Howell

Regional 4

Teams:
Belleville vs Edsel Ford
Bedford vs Taylor Kennedy

Belleville is young and may get through Edsel Ford but we assume they will face Jackson Lamb in the finals. Bedford has just enough depth on the mound to make this work. Plus they know how to win.

Our Pick: Bedford