Northwest wins first district since 2006
THE THROW TO FIRST: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest's Justin Novack fires this ground ball to first base in a recent contest. Novack and the Crusaders won their first district crown since 2006 Saturday. File Photo
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Four straight years, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest was issued form the Division 4 baseball tournament in the district finals.
In three of those years, the Crusaders were knocked out by Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes.
Saturday on its own diamond, Northwest gained a measure of revenge with a 4-1 triumph over WOLL in the district semifinals.
Northwest (11-10) will advance to the regional play at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, where they will face Webberville on June 10 at 10 a.m. New Lothrup and Pewamo-Westphalia will meet in the other regional semifinal.
“Every year that I have been here, we’ve lost in the districts,” said Northwest coach Mario Borocci. “It’s nice to finally win one. The boys have worked hard.”
Like all season, Northwest rode the arms of Luke McCatty and Eric Mischley in the district finals. McCatty pitched 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts, while Mischley came on in relief to shut the door on the Lakers.
Austin Karbowski took the loss for WOLL.
McCatty slammed a three-run home run in the second to put Northwest up for good. Mischley, who picked up the save, scored on a delayed steal for the Crusaders’ other run.
PITCHER OF RECORD: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest's Luke McCatty fires this pitch in a recent outing. McCatty pitch a district semifinal win Saturday against Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes. File Photo.
Karbowski drew an RBI walk for the Lakers’ sole run, part of four consecutive walks in the fourth.
Northwest had no problems with Oakland Christian in the finals. The Crusaders beat the Lancers for the third time this season.
Oakland Christian (5-16) advanced with a forfeit win over Auburn Hills Christian Academy, which opted out of the tournament.
Justin Novack was 2-for-3 with four RBI for the Crusaders, and Travis Kersten was 2-for-3, including a three-run homer, and Mischley was also 2-for-3 for Northwest.
“We only have three seniors, but we’ve had some good leadership from our seniors,” praised Borrocci. “Eric Mischley has had a great season. He and Luke have had some solid (pitching performances) and have led us. You need that in the postseason from your seniors.
Northwest is making its first appearance in the regionals in five years. The Crusaders were state semifinalists in 2006, when they lost to nationally-ranked Hudson, while they were also D-4 state champions back in 2004.
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Category: Clarkston Everest Catholic, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
