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By Spence Impellizzeri
PBR Michigan Intern

We look to bring the state of Michigan top-notch high school coverage throughout the entire state.

We will have the 2016 Scout Blog, Spotlight Games, Inside the Recruitment Articles, Unsigned Senior Spotlights, The Recruiting Trail, All-State Selections, Full Coverage of the MHSAA State Tournament as well as numerous other articles throughout the spring.

To view the Preseason All-State Selections, click below:
+ Division 1
+ Division 2
+ Division 3/4

To view the Team Power Rankings, click below:
+ Division 1
+ Division 2
+ Division 3/4

To view the full list of 2016 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

For insider information and scouting notes from the PBR staff during the 2016 spring season visit the 2016 Michigan Scout Blog by clicking here.

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

PBR Michigan Spotlight Game: Diamond Classic - Grand Ledge vs DeWitt

DeWitt jumped out to an early 4-0 through two innings, but the Panthers couldn’t hold the lead as Grand Ledge won 10-4 in the semi finals of the Diamond Classic.

After three walks loaded the bases with one out, 2018 IF Nolan Knauf and 2018 OF Josh Robinson hit back-to-back RBI singles to give DeWitt a 2-0 lead after the first inning. The Panthers doubled that lead in the second inning, thanks three consecutive hits. 2018 IF Mark Connelly hit a one out single and advanced to second after the ball was misplayed in the outfield. The next batter, 2017 OF Michael Stygles, hit a triple that plated Connelly, and 2016 IF/P Donovan Tarn, who started on the mound for DeWitt, hit a double that scored Stygles to help his cause.

A pair of miscues allowed Grand Ledge to cut the lead in half in the top of the third inning. Following a leadoff walk and a single, Grand Ledge scored both of its runs before an out was recorded thanks to an errant back pick at first base and a passed ball.

DeWitt was held in check the rest of the game as Grand Ledge reliever, 2016 IF/P Brendan Baker was dominant after entering the game in the second inning. The senior allowed just four base runners from the third through the sixth inning, crushing any momentum DeWitt once had.

Following a scoreless fourth, Grand Ledge took advantage of an error in the outfield to tie the game. 2017 IF/P Wyatt Rush hit a ball into the gap with two runners on, and the ball got by the outfielders, allowing both runners to score. 2018 OF Cal Johnston drove in Rush in the next at bat with a double down the left field line, giving Grand Ledge the lead for good.

The Comets added five runs to blow the game open in the top half of the seventh inning, doing the damage against DeWitt’s bullpen. Baker and 2017 IF Xavier Farr drove in a pair of runs, while Rush had a triple to highlight the inning.

In the bottom half of the inning, DeWitt threatened, loading the bases on three hits, but Baker was able to work his way out of the jam with three fly outs. 

Baker led the way for Grand Ledge. The Senior got the win on the mound, throwing 4.2 shutout innings to go along with two hits, two RBIs and a run scored at the plate, while Rush and Farr both added a pair of hits and a pair of runs scored.

Tarn was the tough luck loser for DeWitt, striking out eight in five innings of work. Connelly and Stygles led the way at the plate for DeWitt, scoring two runs apiece.