Beal City faces Whitmore Lake in semis
They’ve been ranked No. 1 in Division 4 for the better part of two seasons now, going 59-5 over the course of the last two seasons.
They’ve got a high-octane offense that averages over 13 runs per game and a deep pitching staff that runs five or six deep.
In short, they’ve got it all and now they want it all.
On Thursday afternoon from the campus of Michigan State University the top-ranked Beal City baseball team takes on 13thranked Whitmore Lake in a Division 4 semifinal at 2:30 p.m. The winner of this contest advances to Saturday’s D4 final at 11:30 a.m.
Coming into the semifinal contest the Aggies have been playing stellar baseball as they rolled through regionals and through last weekend’s quarterfinal round without too much resistance. Yet, once you get to this point in the postseason, every game and opponent is equally deft.
“With the quality pitching I’m thinking it’s going to be a close game, two or three runs,” said Beal City head coach Steve Pickens, whose team has outscored its opponents 65-8 this postseason. “We’re averaging 13 runs per game (No. 1 in state history), but the last game we lost was to a lefthander (2-1).”
Whitmore Lake left-handed ace Zane Gregg will likely get the start on the bump for the Trojans and he’s been very good this postseason, leading his team to its first-ever appearance in the semifinal round. He’s crafty and he’s a lefty, which kind of go handin-hand.
“We’ve got to show up and pick each other up,” said Pickens.
Number-wise the Aggies have had one of the best seasons in program history.
Offensively, they’re great.
For example Kaiden Andrews (.477 BA, 31 RBIS, 11 2B, 49 R, 12 SB) has been great atop the order. Add in Cayden Smith (.500
BA, 35 RBIS, 10 2B, 48 R, 20 SB), Brayden Haynes (.511 BA, 63 RBIS, 4 HR, 10 2B, 44 R), Jake Gauthier (.367 BA, 24 RBIS), Hunter Miles (.494 BA, 46 R, 43 RBIS, 13 SB), Wade Wilson (.421 BA, 34 R, 22 RBIS) and Josh Wilson (.494 BA, 40 RBIS) and you’ve got a line-up with thump.
Pitching-wise the Aggies feature star Brendan Martin (11-0, 50 IP, 73 K, 4 W, 5 ER), who has won 20-straight games dating back to his freshman season. Smith (6-0, 31 IP, 65 K, 11 W, 5 ER) and Wade Wilson (5-1, 23 IP, 36 K, 10 W, 4 ER) are also both rocksolid and could figure heavily into Thursday’s game as Martin developed a blister on his throwing hand last weekend.
For the Aggies the key from here on out centers on themselves as that’s where the focus needs to be. They need not worry too much about what is going on on the periphery, rather keep the focus on Beal City.
In terms of just how much fun this run has been, well it’s been lots and lots and lots of fun.
“It’s been a blast,” said senior Brayden Haynes. “For the past four years we’ve been trying to get here and now we’re here. It feels like our best chance. There’s been a lot of pressure this season because we’ve been ranked No. 1 and everyone gives us their best game. But we’ve handled it well.”
Martin added, “This group has been playing together since Little League so it’s been a great ride, a lot of fun.
“We’ve had a great season and we want to keep it rolling. We’re ready.”
Rudyard takes on Riverview Gabriel Richard in the other D4 semifinal Thursday at 5 p.m.