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By Kyle Sheppard
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.

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+ Division 1
+ Division 2
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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.

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PBR Michigan Spotlight Game: District 23 Recap

District Semifinal

The second game of the day started out a little differently than game one as both pitchers had issues finding their command early on. LCN opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st with 2 singles, a hit batter and a bases loaded walk to lead 1-0.

2016 RHP Owen Tomaszewski (Anchor Bay) was able to induce an inning ending 5-2-1 double play to end the rally and likely keep AB from going to their bullpen.

Anchor Bay took the lead in the top of the third with a leadoff walk and back to back singles from 2018 SS Jacob Paul (Anchor Bay) and 2016 OF Jared Seamans (Anchor Bay) to go up 2-1. This time however, it was 2016 LHP Aaron Klebba (L’anse Creuse North) who induced an inning ending double play to keep AB from adding on.

Tomaszewski who was starting to find his groove with the help of another double play, put up a zero in the bottom of the 3rd and allowed his offence to get back to work. A lead off walk by 2016 DH Ryan Murphy (Anchor Bay) was able to make his way around the bases, scoring on a sac fly by 2016 C Noah Moore (Anchor Bay) to make the score 3-1. Knocking Klebba out of the game and reliever 2016 RHP Jacob Mackowiak (L’anse Creuse North) was able to come in and get out of the inning.

Anchor Bay would push their 4th run across in the top of the 4th and with Tomaszewski seeming to get stronger as the game went on, as he did not give up a hit the rest of the way for the complete game victory. AB advanced to the District final and LCN was eliminated.

Key Performers:

Anchor Bay:

2016 RHP Owen Tomaszewski P: 7 inn. 4 hits, 1 R, 3 K’s H: 1-2, 2B

2016 OF Jared Seamans H: 2-3, 1 RBI

L'anse Creuse North:

2017 OF Brendan Peck H: 2-4, 1 R

District Final

The district final match up came down to two teams AB and PHN that were Co-Champs of the MAC Blue division this year and as expected they played a very tight game in the district final.

After a clean top of the 1st inning by 2017 RHP Nick Trimble (Port Huron Northern) PHN immediately got to work against Anchor Bay’s top arm in 2018 RHP Eric Hildebrand (Anchor Bay). With the bases loaded and one out, PHN got 3 straight run scoring hits. The biggest coming off the bat of 2016 SS Isaac Raab (Port Huron Northern) who crushed a deep 2 run double to left center field. Hildebrand was able to strand two runners but the inning ended with PHN up 4-0.

To lead off the top of the 2nd 2016 DH Ryan Murphy (Anchor Bay) got on via an error and 2016 1B Zac Capaldi (Anchor Bay) crushed a double to right center, it seemed like AB was in business.

However, Murphy attempted to score on a fly ball to right field but was thrown out by 2018 OF Nolan Sciotti (Port Huron Northern) to complete the double play and Capaldi would end up stranded at 2nd.

Three singles in a row to start the bottom of the second for PHN would lead to Hildebrand being lifted from the game.

In relief of Hildebrand came 2017 RHP Evan Miller (Anchor Bay) and after giving up a sac fly to 2017 OF Brett Manis (Port Huron Northern) Miller was able to limit the damage to one run. PHN lead 5-0 through two innings.

The top of the 3rd inning however, is when Anchor Bay got back into the game.

Anchor Bay’s lead off hitter reached on an error, followed by an RBI triple by 2016 OF Jordan Irwin (Anchor Bay). Two singles would follow by, 2018 SS Jacob Paul (Anchor Bay) and 2016 OF Joey Slezak (Anchor Bay) each driving in a run, making the score 5-3. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Trimble appeared to induce an inning ending 4-6-3 double play but the AB runner advancing to 2nd was called safe after PHN shortstop Raab appeared to have missed 2nd base on the force. Slezak who was on 2nd when the ball was hit appeared to be halfway to the dugout, but scampered home when the runner at 2nd was apparently called safe. The score was now 5-4 for PHN headed to the bottom of the 4th.

Anchor Bay would have a few more chances to tie the game in the later innings. They would strand the bases loaded in the 5th and had what appeared to be a lead off double off the bat of 2016 2B Nolan Romanoski (Anchor Bay) to start the 6th.

Romanoski hit the ball down the left field line but 2018 OF Nolan Shagena (Port Huron Northern) picked the ball up in foul territory and threw a strike all the way in the air to nab Romanoski trying to stretch his single. Anchor Bay’s final chance to tie the game was after Murphy hit a one out single, a pinch runner was brought in and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch but PHN reliever 2016 RHP Anthoney Deittrick (Port Huron Northern) got a flyout and a groundout to end the game and give Port Huron Northern the district title.

Key Performers:

Anchor Bay:

2017 RHP Evan Miller P: 5 inn. 2 hits, 0 R, 4 K, 3 BB

2016 DH Ryan Murphy H: 2-4

2016 OF Jordan Irwin H: 2-3, 2B, 3B, 1 RBI, 1 SB

Port Huron Northern:

2017 RHP Nick Trimble P: 5 inn. 7 hits, 2 R, 2 BB, H: 2-3, 2B

2018 OF Nolan Sciotti H: 2-3, BB

2016 SS Isaac Raab H: 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R