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PBR Michigan Division 3 Team Of The Week - Greenhills

ANN ARBOR - Greenhills has never won a regional title in baseball. But with eight starters back, including the entire pitching staff, Tom Ward’s squad had high expectations entering the 2019 campaign.

The Gryphons are meeting those hopes with an 11-0 start to the season and with it Greenhills is the Prep Baseball Report Division 3 Team of the Week.

“We thought going into the season our experience was a nice factor and it certainly has been,” Ward said.

Evidence came in two comeback wins, down two against Cranbrook before putting a three-spot on the board and trailing by one in the seventh inning against Jackson Lumen Christi Catholic before rallying for a 2-1 victory.

“That experience helped,” Ward noted. “Being seniors, these guys have seen a lot of good pitchers so what they’re seeing is nothing new. Plus, our whole lineup is hitting. That’s been a key.”

Senior leadoff hitter Aidan Brewer has led the way in that category with a .486 average, three home runs, three triples, three doubles and 10 stolen bases with a .650 on-base percentage.

“He’s had just a phenomenal start,” Ward said of the starting shortstop who also pitches.

Senior two-hole hitter Ben Cole led the squad in batting a year ago at .400, giving Ward firepower at the top of the order.

“One new starter that’s really helped is Owen Klein,” Ward added about the junior outfielder hitting .310. “He’s doing a great job of getting on base near the bottom of the order for Aiden and Ben.”

Another junior, Gabe Seir, is doing his part with a .333 average while “showing a little pop” pointed out the head coach of Greenhills.

Seir also does his part on the mound.

“He’s been a bulldog pitcher for us for two years,” Ward said of Seir, who has allowed one earned run with 19 strikeouts in 15 innings of work this season. “He’s 2-0 and started in both of those tough games.”

Alex Schneider, a senior right fielder and pitcher, is also 2-0 this year permitting one earned run in 11 innings.

Senior three-hole batter Alex Winning is hitting .324 and plays left field and can also catch while Stevie Snabes is the regular backstop.

“He’s been phenomenal behind the plate,” Ward noted about the senior catcher Snabes.

After following up the win over Lumen with a doubleheader sweep of Waterford Lady of the Lakes on Saturday, Greenhills is 6-0 in the league  with two games against Detroit Cristo Rey on Wednesday and a single contest with Monroe St. Mary Central a day later.

“The middle of our lineup is off to a little bit of a slow start at the plate, but we know they’re going to hit,” Ward said. “If the bottom can keep hitting the way it has, we have a chance to do some damage against good pitching.

“We’re phenomenal on defense. Aidan is one of the top shortstops in the state regardless of class and Ben Cole at second base is great as well, so we’re tremendously strong up the middle. We knew our pitching would be strong with everyone returning from last year, it’s just a matter if we can keep improving at the plate.”