Follow @pbrmichigan

To view the 2019 Scout Blog, click here.

Interested in attending a PBR Michigan event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

PBR Michigan Division 1 Team Of The Week - Woodhaven

BROWNSTOWN - Prior to last season Woodhaven had never won a district baseball title. But a memorable 34-6 season found the Warriors going all the way to the state championship game.

While seven seniors are gone from that squad, the 2019 team is off to an 8-0 start and PBR Michigan’s Division 1 Team of the Week.

“It’s more than just a couple players, we’ve had a great team effort every game,” noted head coach Corey Farner. “Our pitching has been solid and the top of our order has been solid.

“Last year was a great ride,” Farner continued. “We had never won districts before, so after that we had nothing to lose. But once we got on the big stage we did not play to our potential. That motivated the competitive kids we have.”

The hope is to make a return to the finals.

“We have some good players at the top end and each has their own role,” Farner noted. “We have some unfinished business and we want to get back there.”

If that happens Colin Czajkowski (Video), the Michigan Preseason Player of the Year, will likely play a lead role. The second-rated senior in the state and University of Michigan commit, is currently 3-0 with 35 strikeouts and a 0.42 ERA in 16 innings. The left-handed 6-4 195-pounder who plays center field when not pitching, is also batting .360 with four doubles and 13 RBIs out of the three-hole.

“He’s a game changer,” Farner said of Czajkowski, who is also getting MLB draft interest.

Another key player is senior Kyle Ray, a Wayne State recruit ranked 88th in Michigan’s 2019 class. The 6-1 175-pound left-handed hitter, who plays catcher, outfield and pitches, is currently averaging .300 with a 0.00 ERA on the mound.

Cleanup hitter Avery Carnicom tops the Warriors in batting average with a .500 mark to go along with three doubles, one home run and 11 RBIs. The 6-2 202-pound senior is an Alma College commit.

Junior Nate Overton, a middle infielder who bats second in the order, gives Woodhaven another big stick with a .483 average.

“We’ve had a lot of guys that have stepped up with some big hits,” Farner noted. “Now we need a couple more to reach that level.”

Admittedly, the recent success has been a little surprising to the head coach of a team that is moving up to number one in the state in this week’s Power Rankings.

“To be honest, going into last year I thought we had a talented team with a lot of returnees,” Farner said. “We expected a good run but not a state championship game. But the guys stepped into their roles and we had some sophomores step up.

“This year we have a good mix of returning players with some new guys coming in that are learning their roles. They’ve shown up every day enthusiastic and ready to learn.”.

A 5-0 win over twelfth-ranked Orchard Lake St. Marys has highlighted a season that also includes shutout victories over Farmington and Trenton.

“When I came in I wanted to build a competitive culture and do things the right way,” explained the fifth-year head coach, who is in his 11th season overall in the coaching ranks. “We spend a lot of time in the weight room, the weight room doesn’t lie. It holds kids accountable. The kids see how hard you have to work and once they get on the field that’s the easy stuff.

“I think the kids have fun in our program,” Farner continued. “We make sure they know we support them and have their best interest at heart and the kids have responded.”

The head coach is looking for the final pieces with this year’s squad as the Warriors look to make another strong tournament run.

“We still have a couple positions up for grabs,” Farner noted. “We need to find out who’s going to be the last three in our lineup.

“But it will come down to pitching, that’s the key. By the time it gets to state, that’s when you have to have options, especially with the new format. You need more than one or two guys to throw.”