HART – The Pirates had a storybook season a year ago. A year where they posted 16 wins and marked the most they’ve had in a single season in the last 20 campaigns. “While that season ended in the district championship, this year’s team is as ready as ever to continue to build. Building a culture of hard work continues to be the first goal,” Manager David Riley said.
Riley enters his 8th season managing the club and has a veteran pitching staff as well as three key bats he’s excited about.
The 2024 season ended in the district championship game against Shelby. Hart jumped ahead 4-0 early, but after three innings, the Tigers were able to muster up three runs to make it a one-run ballgame. Shelby, in a wild seventh inning, exploded for three runs to take a 7-5 lead. Hart’s Mitchell Slade knocked in an RBI single to cut the deficit to one. However, Shelby ace DayDay Garcia retired the final two batters to notch the district title.
2024 SEASON
16-14 Record
4th in WMC-Rivers
Loss in MHSAA District-Final
Most wins in a single season in 20 years
BATTING
Senior Aiden Coker has the bat to be an offensive leader for the Pirates this season. Coker hit .357 last season, including five doubles and a triple. “He has put in as much off-season work as any player I have coached, and he is eager to put that work to good use,” Riley said. Coker mostly plays the infield, specifically up the middle.
Halen Boos will be back behind the dish for the Pirates this season. Boos has been the starter at the position since he was a freshman. The junior had a slash line of .293/.326/.317 a season ago. Boos caught six runners stealing and only accumulated eight passed balls in 52 innings. “Halen has been a rock-solid catcher since his freshman year for the varsity team. He should be our anchor again, handling the bulk of the catching duties. His offense is ready to perk up, too, as an upperclassman,” Riley said.
Yet another infielder to go along with Boos and Coker, Carter Ramseyer is projected to put up solid numbers for Hart in his fourth and final season on varsity. Ramseyer picked up 19 singles and hit .241 a season ago. “Ramseyer will hit the ball consistently and play infield,” Riley said.
PITCHING
Hart has two solid arms this season, and both are southpaws. Ty Schlukebir is set to be the Pirates’ ace this coming season. The senior posted a 2.45 ERA in 60 innings pitched last season. “Ty is a leader for us as a four-year varsity player. He has a strong arm and certainly can control a game when he dials in his control,” said Riley.
The number two projected starter is senior Avery Guikema, a lefty with a great breaking ball coupled with a heater that is beginning to tick up in velocity as the off-season progresses. Guikema only appeared in 16 innings last season but was able to fan 19 guys while doing so.
Riley says the rest of the pitching staff will be sorted out as the season gets underway.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is this: Hart is matched up in a tough Rivers division this season with teams like North Muskegon, Ravenna, and Shelby fighting for top-three finishes. The Pirates can easily find themselves in that conversation if they get enough production from the bottom of their order. The 3-4-5 guys in the rotation must also be on point in case they need to eat some bullpen innings.
2025 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
3/26 – Vs. Whitehall DH
4/8 – @ Mason County Central DH
4/10 – Vs. White Cloud DH
4/16 – @ Ravenna DH
4/22 – @ Hesperia DH
4/25 – @ Ludington
4/29 – Vs. North Muskegon DH
5/6 – Vs. Shelby DH
5/8 – Vs. Fremont DH
5/13 – Vs. Holton DH
5/15 – Vs. Manistee DH
5/19 – @ Kent City DH
5/21 – @ Grant DH
Interested in more content from us? Check out our website catchmarksports.com, our Facebook page, or our YouTube page!
