Northwest claims first regional title since 2006
MOWING DOWN: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest senior Luke McCatty struck out 13 batters against Webberville in the Crusaders' 11-2 regional semifinals triumph. File Photo
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
WATERFORD — Even with only three seniors and a record barley above five-hundred, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest is proving to be a formidable opponent in the postseason.
The Crusaders captured their fourth Division 4 regional championship Saturday, all within the past eight years, at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, topping Webberville, 11-2, in the semifinals before rolling past Pewamo-Westphalia, 8-2, in the finals.
The unranked Crusaders (15-10) advance to Tuesday’s state quarterfinals at Saginaw Valley State University, where they will face unranked Merrill at 12 noon.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what our boys were able to accomplish this weekend,” said Northwest coach Mario Borrocci. “These guys just refuse to quit.”
Northwest entered the postseason 9-10 and were 11-10 after winning its district. The Crusaders added a pair of non-league wins this past week before outscoring its two regional foes by a commanding 19-4 margin for two more wins.
The Crusaders’ 1-2 pitching punch of Eric Mischley and Luke McCatty were near-dominant on Saturday.
In the finals, Mischley, a senior, allowed one earned run and scattered five hits in the win over Pewamo-Westphalia.
Mischley added three hits and a pair of RBI for Northwest.
McCatty (5-3) mowed down Webberville in the semifinals. The senior struck out 13 and walked only two in a complete-game effort.
Mischley led the Northwest offense with four RBI on the strength of two hits for Northwest. McCatty added a pair of RBI for the Crusaders.
Northwest won the D-4 state championship in 2004, topping Bay City All Saints in the finals (6-5). The Crusaders lost in the state quarterfinals in 2005 to Southfield Christian (9-3) and then were ousted in the state semifinals in 2006 by nationally-ranked and eventual state champion Homer (9-1).
“This is the first time that we’ve won a district since I’ve been here,” admitted Borrocci, who took over the Northwest program in 2007 but who ranks in the top 10 all-time for career coaching wins with 600-plus victories. “I think the guys now believe in themselves.
“We have two pretty good pitchers and some great leaders,” added Borrocci, who has only three seniors on his roster, and the aforementioned Mischley and McCatty are the only two senior starters. “I can’t say enough about what this group of boys have been able to accomplish.”
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Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Hills Lutheran NW
