Hope springs eternal as the weather warms up (we hope) and we awaken from the cold of winter into the warmth and sunshine (we hope) of spring time. With it comes the hopes of area baseball teams as they hit the field to begin another season.
In the West Michigan Conference, Montague, Whitehall and Ludington appear to be early favorites in the Lakes Division for the 2023 season.
In the WMC Rivers Division, North Muskegon and Mason County Central appear to be the frontrunners.
How will it all play out? We take a look at all 14 West Michigan Conference baseball teams in the capsules below, which are arranged alphabetically in the respective divisions.
WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE LAKES DIVISION
FREMONT PACKERS
Coach:
Kevin Driscoll (1st season as head coach after serving as JV coach for 5 years; 32 seasons of total coaching experience)
Last Season:
N/A
Returning Starters:
Gabe Van Vleet (Senior)
Brenden Maka (Senior)
Joey Drzewicki (Senior)
Carl Vliem (Senior)
Justin Dirheimer (Senior)
Hayden Threat (Senior)
Johnny Keena (Junior)
Key Returners:
Paxton Borgman (Junior, INF-P)
Michael Romero (Senior, C)
Levi Wimmer (Junior, OF)
Briar Hambrock (Senior)
Easton Herman (Junior)
Luke Langley (Junior)
Ben Mellema (Junior)
Owen VandenBerg (Senior)
Outlook:
The Packers look at their strength to be a solid pitching staff. However, a number of questions remain in regards to development in a few key positions and also how the Packers will meld into the new league.
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LUDINGTON ORIOLES
Coach:
Evan Kroeze (3rd season)
Last Season:
The Orioles finished 19-11, good for 2nd place in the Lakes 8 Conference.
Returning Starters:
Jonny Weinert (Senior, 2B-C-P; 4-2 pitching record last season with 2.61 earned run average)
Nathan Dillehay (Senior, 3B-P, 5-2 pitching record last season with 2.30 earned run average; .280 batting average and .380 on-base percentage)
Evan McCarthy (Junior, SS; .270 batting average and .383 on base percentage)
Gage Jones (Junior, C-OF-P)
Cole Johnson (OF)
Robbie Killips (1B-OF-P)
Returners and Newcomers:
Matthew Westhouse (Senior, DH)
Kol Anthes (Senior, OF)
Joe Benz (Junior, 3B-OF)
Ryan Kandelac (Junior, 2B-P)
Spencer Holmes (Junior, OF)
Jack Stidham (Junior, 1B-3B-OF-P)
Outlook:
“We are extemely athletic and fast with a number of two- and three-sport athletes,” Kroeze said. “I like our pitching and defense. We will have to use our speed to manufacture offense.”
In addition to competing for a conference championship, the Orioles are hoping to get over the hump in the postseason as they have fallen in three consecutive district championship games.
RELATED: Ludington’s 2023 baseball team cuts loose at CatchMark media-day session
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MANISTEE CHIPPEWAS
Coach:
David Edmonson (5th season)
Last Season:
13-15-1
Returning Starters:
Ethan Edmonson (Senior, SS; 35 stolen bases)
Adam Workman (Senior, OF; .432 batting average and .524 on base percentage)
Donavyn Kirchinger (Senior, 1B-P; 27 RBI and 1 Home Run)
Jeffrey Huber (Senior, P-INF)
Tyler Protasiewicz (Senior, OF)
Jaret Edmonson (Junior, C)
Mason Robinson (Sophomore, 2B)
Eli Workman (Sophomore, P-C-3B)
Key Newcomers:
Miles Joseph (Freshman, OF)
Luke Olson (Freshman, 1B)
Owen Polcyn (Freshman, C-2B-OF)
Keegan Shannon (Freshman, 3B-C)
Landin Sowa (Freshman, INF-OF)
Josh Weiss (OF-INF)
Braylen Zimmerman ( Freshman, INF-OF)
Outlook:
“We are bringing back a solid group of players for their senior season,” Edmonson said. “We have good team speed and a good middle of our lineup.”
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MONTAGUE WILDCATS
Coach:
Jeff Moss (1st season head coach after 20 seasons as assistant coach)
Last season:
23-15 overall, 14-0 conference, lost in regional finals to Lansing Catholic 6-5)
Returning Starters:
Kade Johnson (Senior, P-INF; 8-1 pitching record last season striking out 79)
Nick Moss (Senior, INF-P; .358 batting average, 39 stolen bases and .919 fielding percentage)
Chase Gowell (Senior, OF-P; .952 fielding percentage)
Owen Petersen (Senior, OF-P; 4-4 pitching record last season)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Mike Moore (Senior)
Skeets Dusenberry (Senior)
Bryton Belinger (Sophomore)
Ryver Jarka (Sophomore)
Kellan Francis (Sophomore)
Eli Petersen (Freshman)
Outlook:
“We have strong senior leadership,” Moss said. “We should have solid pitching, hitting and defense and we have a tough nonleague schedule early to get us ready.”
Look for the Wildcats to compete strong for a conference title and also make a good run in the postseason.
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OAKRIDGE EAGLES
Coach:
Brandon Barry (35 seasons)
Last season:
12-19 overall, 7-7 in the conference
Returning Starters:
Matt Danicek (Senior; .302 batting average last season)
Brody Jennings (Junior; .387 batting average, 4-4 pitching record, All-Conference and All District)
Ryan Cribbens (Senior)
Adrian Lanore (Senior)
Gage Lowry (Senior)
Caleb Osinski (Senior)
Kyle Weaver (Senior)
Evan Miller (Sophomore; All-Conference and All-District)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Taeven Watson (Senior)
Aiden Johnston (Junior)
Brayden Cunningham (Junior)
Noah McFayden (Junior)
Julian Primmer (Junior)
Arturo Romero-Serrano (Junior)
Michael Wambaugh (Sophomore)
Outlook:
“We need our pitching and defense to hold up,” Barry said. “We also need our offense to come around.”
The Eagles have eight three-sport athletes, who will help the cause. They will count on the trio of Jennings, Danicek and talented sophomore Evan Miller to lead the way. The Eagles, like everyone, will have to navigate their way around the new-look WMC.
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ORCHARD VIEW CARDINALS
Coach:
Alex Andrews (1st season as head coach after two years as assistant)
Last season:
4-24
Returning Starters:
Noah Smith (Junior, OF-1B-P; .378 batting average and .979 fielding percentage, All-District)
Daulton DeGroot (Senior, 2B-P)
Jayce “Chew Chew” Allen (Senior, 3B-1B)
Kellen Morgan (Senior, 3B-1B-P)
Korbin Tenbrink (Senior, 2B-SS-P)
Corbin Russell (Junior, OF-SS)
Zack Peterson (Junior, OF-3B-1B-P-C)
Chase Bundt (Sophomore, OF-2B)
Emilio Villareal (Sophomore, SS-P)
Jaxon Tuttle (Sophomore, C-1B-3B)
Newcomer:
Korson Bowen (Junior, SS-C)
Outlook:
“We are working on building a program with the goal of playing smart, disciplined, and aggressive baseball,” Andrews said. “Most of our players have played together for several years through the various levels, so we are looking for that experience to pay off.”
The Cardinals are young, but they have a key piece in All-District player Noah Smith, who comes back to lead OV through their inaugural season in the WMC. While they may be young in varsity experience, the core of this group has played together for a few years and that is the hope for getting better faster.
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WHITEHALL VIKINGS
Coach:
Warren Zweigle (30th season)
Last Season:
19-18 overall, 7-7 3rd in WMC
Returning Starters:
Landon Howe (Senior, C; .390 batting average last season)
Jack McDowell (Senior, OF-P, 2-2 pitching record last season with 1.19 earned run average)
Kyle Stratton (Junior, SS-P; .353 batting average and 58 stolen bases)
Ryne Christensen (Junior, P-2B, .320 batting average, 4-6 pitching record with 2.76 earned run average while striking out 52)
Taryn Hardy (Senior, OF-P)
Jaden Brinkert (Senior, 3B-P)
Isaac VanAmberg (Junior, P-3B)
Noah Meinert (Junior, 1B-OF)
Ryan Goodrich (Sophomore, OF-C)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Maddox Varela (Senior, OF)
Nolan Taranko (Junior, INF)
Cash Bloomberg-Brown (Sophomore, P-INF-OF)
Brock Morningstar (Sophomore,1B-P)
Outlook:
“We should be deep in pitching and have a solid defense,” Zweigle said. “We might struggle with the offense but hopefully will be able to utilize our team speed to manufacture some runs.”
The Vikings have some key pieces in Howe, Stratton, McDowell and Christensen to name a few. That combined with the experience of wily skipper Warren Zweigle, look for Whitehall to be in the thick of things this season.
WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE RIVERS DIVISION
HART PIRATES
Coach:
Dave Riley (6th season)
Last Season:
12-16 overall, 0-14 WMC
Returning Starters:
Blake Weirich (Junior, INF-P; .329 batting average, Pitching 74 strikeouts)
Ty Schlukebir (Sophomore, OF-P; Pitching 48 strikeouts)
Kyan Clark (Senior INF-P; .279 batting average)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Halen Boos (Freshman, C)
Brendan Hiddema (Sophomore, Utility)
Avery Guikema (Sophomore, P)
Tyler VanderZanden (Junior, INF)
Eian Sawdy (Junior, DH)
Mitchell Slade (Junior, 1B)
Outlook:
“Our starting lineup at times will feature five underclassmen,” Riley said. “Kyan Clark provides senior leadership, while Blake Weirich enters his third varsity season looking to be our ace and provide solid offense.”
The young Pirates will battle for position in the Rivers Division.
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HESPERIA PANTHERS
Coach:
Ty Yakel (1st season)
Last season:
N/A
Returning Starters:
Travis Kurtz (Senior, P-OF-3B; Led the Panthers in batting last season)
Alex Sayer (Senior, 2B-3B-P)
Armando Escobedo (Senior, SS-P-C)
Degan Klaus (Senior, OF-P)
Christian Fuentes (Senior, 1B-P-DH)
Blake Sayer (Sophomore, SS-P-C-OF)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Marcus Hoaglin (Senior, OF-1B)
Ian Fox (OF)
Skyler Stalbaum (Sophomore, C-2B)
Anderson Boes (Sophomore, OF-2B-1B)
Ethan O’Neil (1B-P-OF)
Noah Walker (Freshman, 1B-3B)
Outlook:
“We should have solid pitching and defense,” Yakel said. “We have good team speed and great senior leadership. We’re looking to put a great product on the field.”
The Panthers look to the strong, accurate arms of Kurtz and Escobedo to lead them on the mound. They are also looking forward to playing Fremont at Muskegon’s historic Marsh Field.
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HOLTON RED DEVILS
Coach:
Laketon Belinger (2nd season)
Last season:
15-18 overall
Returning Starters:
Chase Albright (Senior, C-OF; .305 batting average)
Steve Kersting (Junior, P-INF; 2.80 earned run average)
Carter Brant (Junior, P-INF)
Newcomers:
Trent Kooman (Junior, OF)
Gabe Colon (Sophomore, OF)
Riley Rull (Freshman, 1B)
Outlook:
“We are extremely young and don’t have a lot of depth,” Belinger said. “We have a talented group, just not a lot of experience.”
For the second season, Holton has not been able to field a JV team, which means having to endure some on-the-job training at the varsity level.
***
MASON COUNTY CENTRAL SPARTANS
Coach:
Chris Carr (6th season)
Last Season:
19-12 overall, 6-8 WMC
Returning Starters:
Will Chye (Senior, OF-P; .560 batting average, 54 stolen bases, 3 homevruns, .953 fielding percentage, All-State)
Simon Shimel (Senior, C; .356 batting average, 20 stolen bases, .968 fielding percentage)
Owen Shimel (Junior, P-1B)
Peyton Merz (Sophomore, OF)
Brady Anes (Sophomore, SS)
Tyler Thurlow (Senior, OF)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Brayden Overmeyer (Junior, 2B)
Braylen Thurlow (Junior, P-1B)
Colten Sanders (Junior, 3B)
Outlook:
“We feel good about returning six starters,” Carr said. “I like our team speed and experience, however we do not have a lot of depth.”
You are always a team to watch when you have an All-Stater like Will Chye in your lineup. Look for MCC to battle North Muskegon for the top spot in the Rivers Division.
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NORTH MUSKEGON NORSEMEN
Coach:
Garret Moyer (2nd season)
Last Season:
24-12-1
Returning Starters:
Troy McManus (Senior, OF-P; .472 batting average, 15 doubles, 49 RBIs, 48 runs, 28 stolen bases; Pitching 6 wins, 63 strikeouts, 1.65 earned run average)
Ben Meyers (Junior, C-Utility; .450 batting average, 12 doubles, 5 homevruns, 33 RBIs, 50 runs)
Sam Gallo (Senior, 1B-P-3B; .420 batting average, 6 doubles, 1 home run, 37 RBIs, 28vruns; Pitching 2 wins, 2.75 earned run average)
Denny Belmonte (Senior, SS-C-OF; .396 batting average, 10 doubles, 3 homevruns, 17 RBIs, 50 runs, 20 stolen bases)
Ryan Delora (Junior, 3B-P-utility, .358 batting average, 11 doubles, 1 homerun, 39 rbi, 24 runs; pitching 7 wins, 46 strikeouts, 1.45 earned run average)
John Caliendo (Senior, 1B-P-Utility)
Carsen Moat (Senior, OF-P)
T.J. Byard (Sophomore, OF-P)
Newcomers:
Alec Newville (Junior, INF-OF-P-C)
Carter Meiler (Sophomore, 2B-P)
Jaxon Bean (Sophomore, 1B-P-3B)
Logan Slimko (Freshman, P-INF-OF)
Outlook:
“We are returning eight starters with great senior leadership,” Moyer said. “Our offense features power and speed, while our pitching is deep with a couple of power arms and solid defense.”
When you return a handful of players who are among the best in the league, you have to like your chances. Look for the Norse to compete hard for the top spot in the Rivers, but also play some big games during the tournaments as well.
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RAVENNA BULLDOGS
Coach:
Andrew May (1st season)
Last Season:
26-9 overall, 9-5 3rd in WMC
Returning Starters:
Collin Poley (Junior, P-SS)
Blake Homoly (Junior, 2B)
Tyler Brandtmueller (3B-P)
Drew Mabrito (Junior, C)
Key Returners and Newcomers:
Keigen Swan (Senior, P)
Hunter Hogan (Senior, OF)
Wyatt Young (Junior, P-3B-1B)
Chase Thomas (Junior, OF)
Jacob Haddock (C-OF)
Zeke Erler (C-OF-P)
Dylan May (Freshman, 1B-P-OF)
Outlook:
“We should be solid defensively,” May said. “We look to continually improve and be playing our best ball at the end of the season.”
A new era begins as coach May takes over for MHSBCA Hall of Fame coach Paul Herremans, who stepped down after 32 seasons as skipper of the Bulldogs.
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SHELBY TIGERS
Coach:
Brian Wright (42nd year)
Last Season:
4-15 overall, 2-12 in WMC
Returning Starters:
Travis Boughan (Senior, C)
Lalo Garcia (Junior, P-SS, .280 batting average; Pitching 59 strikeouts)
Trey Waller (Junior, OF-P)
Wyatt Dickman (Junior, 1B)
Newcomers:
Day Day Garcia (Freshman)
Chase Simon (Freshman)
Eli Kelley (Freshman)
Christian Wright (Junior)
Nick Cano (Junior)
Logan Selig (Junior)
Carson Stovall (Junior)
Trevor Fitzgerald (Junior)
Outlook:
“We are returning four starters, so how quickly our young players get accustomed to varsity baseball is the key,” Wright said. “Our guys are young and eager. After 11 rainouts last season, we are ready for some good weather to play the greatest game going.”
Wright certainly defines the term “baseball lifer.” His passion for sports and the kids are second to none. What does the 42-year coaching veteran call a good day? A sunny afternoon and players who love to play the game.
