PREP BASEBALL TEAM CAPSULES 2016
Below are the 2016 Prep Baseball Team Capsules for schools located in the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage region. Email updates, corrections or general team information to Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans
Auburn Hills Avondale
HEAD COACH: Tom Kurczewski, 14th season.
2015 RECORD: 20-15, 8-4 OAA White Division (second)
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Birmingham Brother Rice (12-2).
KEY RETURNEES: Travis Janes, sr. OF-P (fourth-year starter, three-year captain, three-year all-league, second-team all-state 2014); Chris Andrus, sr. SS-P (fourth-year starter, all-league); Brad Kavka, sr. 1B-P (fourth-year starter, all-league); Jacob Pershern, jr. 3B-P (third-year starter); Matt Moy, jr. 2B-P (third-year starter, all league); Adam Mansfield, jr. C-OF (third-year starter).
KEY NEWCOMERS: Robbie Ginther, sr. P (returns to pitch after sitting out last season); Will Fahoome, soph. OF; Connor Gubariu, soph. C-OF.
OUTLOOK: With several players on varsity for third or fourth season, Avondale should have a seasoned ball club that will challenge Bloomfield Hills and Troy Athens for a league championship this season. Avondale will fall back into Division 2 his season for the postseason.
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
HEAD COACH: Brad Pyke, seventh season.
2015 RECORD: 14-16, 5-3 MIAC Red Division.
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Genesee (4-3); lost in D-4 district semifinals to Clarkston Everest Collegiate (5-1).
KEY RETURNEES: Thomas Washington, sr. SS-P (all-region, all-league); Jack Shelata, sr. LF-P (all-league);
Richard Steffan, jr. CF-P (second team all-league; year. led team with eight pitching wins); Zach Tison, jr. C (second team all-league); Mike Sweeney, soph. 3B; Riley Vaught, soph. 2B.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jesse Seckel, sr. OF; Luke McAlister, sr. OF; Cam Cotter, jr. INF; Devin Reyes, jr. OF-INF; Nate Barba, jr. OF.
KEY LOSSES: Caleb Cotter, C.
OUTLOOK: With an older team that features four seniors and five juniors, the Lancers hope to climb the MIAC standings this season. Oakland Christian will also play a tough non-conference schedule with the hopes of paying dividend in the postseason.
Clarkston
HEAD COACH: Phil Price, 18th season
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Waterford Mott (5-2); lost in D-1 district finals to Rochester Adams (1-0).
KEY RETURNEES: Camden Hadley, sr. OF (Rochester College); Jack Kuczmanski, sr. SS; Barik Momrik, jr. C; Chad Robinson, sr. P-OF; Anthony Reiner, sr. P-INF.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK: Top-five in the state in enrollment, Clarkston always fields a competitive team. Two years ago the Wolves made a run to the D-1 Final Four. A bulk of that roster in now gone. Clarkston will be competitive, but how competitive remains to be seen.
Clarkston Everest Collegiate
HEAD COACH: Joseph DeLisle, second season
2015 RECORD: 18-20
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (5-1; def. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (3-2, district finals); def. Unionville-Sebewaing (4-2); lost to Ubly in D-4 regional finals (4-2).
KEY RETURNEES: Grant Burgess, soph. 3B-P; Ryan Smith, jr. INF.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES: Sal Mastromatteo, SS; Lucas Neme, OF;
OUTLOOK: Since splitting off its own team from Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes last season, the Mountaineers quickly had some late-season success, winning a D-4 district crown before reaching the Sweet 16.
Holly
HEAD COACH: Benny Jackson
2015 RECORD: 19-15
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost to Milford in D-1 pre-district (!2-2).
KEY RETURNEES: Adam Tooley, sr. SS (fourth-year varsity); Chet Wyant, sr. C; Gaige Grondin, sr. P-1B-OF; DJ Tennis, soph. P-OF; Clay DeVries, jr. INF; Connor Caldwell, sr. OF-2B: Jacob Cavender, sr. INF-OF; Masen Syjud, jr. OF;
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES: Peyton Molzahn, P; Frank Richmond, INF; Noah Apfel, INF.
OUTLOOK: Holly has won two league titles in the past five years and has steadily become one of the best teams in the FML. Expect the Bronchos to again battle for a top-four finish and perhaps even a league or district.
Lake Orion
HEAD COACH: Andy Schramek, 18th season.
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 pre-district to Rochester Adams (5-2)
KEY RETURNEES: Cam Miller, sr. P (6-foot-10, Central Michigan); Jacob Christiansen, sr. INF-OF; Dillon Gibbons, sr. OF; Bay Smart, sr. C; Mike Falter, INF-P; Ian Simek, sr. 3B-OF (Northwood);
KEY NEWCOMERS: Travis VandenHoeval, jr. CF; Andre Orselli, soph. P-INF.
KEY LOSSES: Josh Bays, P; Miles Hardy, OF; Ken Guldi, P-INF.
OUTLOOK: Since taking over the program in 1999, Andy Schramek has built the Dragons into one of the oat consistent teams in talent-laden Oakland County by finishing above .500 17 straight years with a multitude of championships.
Lake Orion Baptist
HEAD COACH: Cole Welby, fifth season.
2015 RECORD: 16-5.
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in Michigan Association of Christian Schools state semifinals to Davison Faith Baptist.
KEY RETURNEES: Scott Streetman, sr. 2B-SS; Daniel Cone, jr. CF; Ben Gingell, jr. P-1B; Josh Bryson, jr. 3B; Hunter Krajci, jr. P-OF-1B; Jon Noruk, jr. INF; Max Gomez, jr. OF; Mason Rowe, soph. 2B; Evan Shonts, soph. 3B; Josh Wiggins, soph. OF-3B.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES: Micah Bryson, SS; Josh Jenkins, LF; Jacob Magar, P-INF; Jacob Noruk, C.
OUTLOOK: As far as programs with enrollments far under 100 go, the Lions have done fairly well since the program began in 2003. There are 10 of 14 players from last season, plus some quality newcomers that will help this team contend in the FBAC and possibly a long postseason run in the small-school MACS.
Ortonville Brandon
HEAD COACH: Dale Kirk, first season.
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to Lapeer (5-0).
KEY RETURNEES: Caleb Carter, sr. P-OF; Curtis Stimac, sr. 1B-P; Dawson Nichols, sr. C-P; Zach Bunting, jr. P-OF; Dusty Dickens, jr. SS.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Oxford
HEAD COACH: David Herrick, second season.
2015 RECORD: 12-22, 4-11 OAA Red Division
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to Rochester Adams (5-1).
KEY RETURNEES: Devon Davenport, sr. P-3B; Jared Dymond, sr. P-INF; Brad Wood, sr. P-INF; Justin Allen, jr. SS.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Anthony D’Alessandro, jr. CF; Brandon Barrows, jr. 2B; Jack Kitchner, jr. P-OF; Braun Mayette, jr. C-2B; Mario Scribner, jr. 1B-OF-P; Garrett Tyrrell, jr. OF-2B; Jacob Watt, jr. P-OF; Gage Warzecha, soph. OF; Evan Brunning, fr. 3B-P; Nolan Hiler, fr. C.
KEY LOSSES: James Rogers, P (Jackson College); Scott Stubenrauch, C-OF (Marygrove College); Max Blackburn, OF.
OUTLOOK: The bad news is that Oxford graduated quite a bit from last season. The good news is that this program has widely underachieved the past several years and there are many fresh faces in the lineup that have already shown vast improvement under second-year coach David Herrick. The Wildcats could be one of the most improved squads in Oakland County.
Pontiac Academy For Excellence
HEAD COACH: Mark Croxton, first season.
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-3 pre-district to Memphis (7-0)
KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
HEAD COACH: Darren Audia
2015 RECORD: 25-8.
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-2 district semifinals to Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (7-3).
KEY RETURNEES: Adam Burnick, sr. P (6-foot-6); Kory Czajkowski, sr. P-SS; Matt Sollmer, sr. 2B; Ben Mancini, sr. P-OF; Joey Agro, sr. OF; Brett Pelper, sr. OF-INF; Ryan Knutson, soph. C-P; Ben Mancini, sr. INF; Kory Czajkowski, sr. OF; Patrick Bridges, sr. OF-1B; Joe Mukhtar, sr. INF; Paul Romzek, sr. P;
KEY NEWCOMERS: Tom Cavanaugh, soph. INF; Joe DePillo, soph. P-INF; Luke Zerona, soph. INF; Brian Blakeslee, soph. INF; Will Baldwin, soph. INF-P; Jack Krausmann, fr. OF; River Shea, fr. OF;
KEY LOSSES: Will Mullen, P-INF (Western Michigan); Mark Marrone, P-INF (Northwood); Luke Shilling, C-P (Illinois); Joey Vyskocil, INF (Wisconsin-Milwaukee); Jake DePillo, INF; Mike McLean, 1B;
OUTLOOK: The Fighting Irish face a major rebuilding year after graduating eight players to college rosters the last two years. There is some quality holdover talent and a solid core of newcomers, but expectations will not be as high as the last couple of years.
Rochester
HEAD COACH: Eric Magiera, seventh season
2015 RECORD: 20-12, 8-7 OAA Red Division (fourth)
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Rochester Stoney Creek (3-2); lost in D-1 district finals to Utica Eisenhower (2-1).
KEY RETURNEES: Tyler Frankhouse, jr. 3B-P (All-District; D-1 recruit; 41 hits .364 BA); Thomas Loftus, jr. SS-CF (All-District, 40 hits, .333 BA); Ryan Gladstone, jr. C-OF; Albert Nagy, jr. P (fastball that reaches the mid-80s); Kyle Matynka, sr. OF. (third-year starter).
KEY LOSSES: Jake Stout, P-OF (Toledo); Mitch Weber, 1B (All-State Second Team);
OUTLOOK: Although the Falcons bolster only two seniors and graduated their two best players, Rochester may have one of its best rosters since competing as a state powerhouse in the 1990s. The Falcons’ junior class is deep and this year’s roster features 12 pitchers.
Rochester Adams
HEAD COACH: Jeff Hall, sixth season.
2015 RECORD: 28-10, 10-5 OAA Red Division (tied-first).
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Lake Orion (5-2); def. Oxford (5-1); def. Clarkston (1-0, district finals); lost in D-1 regional semifinals to Troy Athens (3-2).
KEY RETURNEES: Joey Prechtel, sr. RHP-3B-1B-OF (fourth-year varsity; signed with Toledo; .813 OPS, 21 RBI last season); Bo Lineberger, sr. LHP fourth-year varsity, 6-1 pitching record, 1.26 ERA); JD Seablom, sr. RHP-2B; Matt McClennen, sr. OF (.747 OPS; signed with Northwood); Spencer Fleming, sr. P-OF; Michael Girdler, sr. P-INF; Alex Kapitula, sr. P-OF.
KEY LOSSES: Jordan Wiley, SS (three-time all-league, two-time all-district; signed with Kalamazoo College); Weylin Frisbie, P (Tiffin University); Tyler Durand, C; Steven Milke, 3B;
OUTLOOK: The Highlanders won both the OAA-Red Division and D-1 district titles last season, and with eight returning starters on a 21-player roster and ample depth all over the diamond, will boast a team that will be capable of contending for championships once again.
Rochester Stoney Creek
HEAD COACH: Clint Rodger, 14th season
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to Rochester (3-2).
KEY RETURNEES: Brett Pokley, sr. P-INF; Jordan Skidmore, sr. P-OF-INF;
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK: Stoney Creek has competed as one of the top teams in the area the past 5-6 years, but faces a season of uncertainty with a roster full of question marks and newer players.
Rochester Hills Christian
HEAD COACH: Nathan Heatherly, second season
2015 RECORD: 2-10, 1-7 FBAC (fifth).
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in Michigan Association of Christian Schools first round to Clinton Township Faith Christian (7-4).
KEY RETURNEES: Brendan Stephens, sr. P-1B; Bradley Stephens, fr. 2B-SS; Michael Childress, fr. SS-P-C; Guillermo Critcher, fr. C-P-INF; Alec Spiegel, fr. CF-1B-P.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Jared Montgomery, 8th OF-C;
Matthew Cheng, fr. OF.
KEY LOSSES: Brandon Tuttle, INF-P; Timothy McMahon, jr. OF (transfered).
OUTLOOK: With just one senior and a team full of underclassmen, the Eagles may take their lumps again this season. The good news for RHC is there is a promising freshman class that could make this program competitive in the her future.
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest
HEAD COACH: Steve Flores, third season.
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-3 pre-district to Memphis (3-1).
KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Troy
HEAD COACH: Tim Mullen, fourth season.
2015 RECORD: 16-16, 5-7 OAA Blue Division (tied-third)
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Berkley (3-2); lost in D-1 district finals to Troy Athens (2-0).
KEY RETURNEES: Mitch Hella, sr. C; Kevin Carlson, sr. P-INF; Colbe Green, sr. CF; Carter Scillion, jr. 3B; Scott Mittelbrun, jr. SS-2B; Connor Wilson, jr. LF;
KEY NEWCOMERS: Josh Corsello, jr. 1B-P; Nick Sacco, jr. 1B-P; Aaron Sexton, soph. SS-2B.
KEY LOSSES: Erik Papandrea, SS; Nick Bradley, RF-P; David Huang, P.
OUTLOOK: Troy has a nice mixture of experience (six returning starters) and new talent and hope this will be the recipe for a winning campaign. The Colts are projected to be middle-of-the-pack in their division but hope to surprise.
Troy Athens
HEAD COACH: Mike Morris
2015 RECORD: 18-11, 5-7 OAA Blue Division (tied-third).
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Royal Oak (12-2); def. Troy (2-0, district finals); def. Rochester Adams (3-2) def. Utica Eisenhower (4-1, regional finals); lost in D-1 state quarterfinals to eventual state champion Hartland (4-1).
KEY RETURNEES: Louis Kassak, sr. SS (led team last year in runs, batted over .400, third-year starter); Brendan Genereau, sr. LF (third-year starter, batted over .400 last year with power); Jeremy Patrick, sr. 1B-DH (led team last year in on-base percentage); Tyler Kukala, sr. P-OF; Jake Vincent, sr. OF; Joey Stark, jr. C-3B; Austin Sultzbach, jr. INF; Andrew Orow, sr. P-INF; Connor Amesse, soph. P.
KEY NEWCOMERS: Logan Frost, soph. IF; Dominic Haight, soph. LF; Josh DuFresne, jr. 3B; Jack Reeves, soph. C-3B; Clark Joslin, soph. P-1B; Grant Sweeney, jr. 1B-P; Brendan Small, jr. OF; Jeremy Murphy, soph. OF.
KEY LOSSES: Stephen Eng, INF-OF; Matt Lerdahl, P-INF; John Van Hoef, P-INF; Nick LaFleur, OF; Nieko Murphy, OF.
OUTLOOK: After underachieving in the regular season that featured many close losses, the Red Hawks made a run to their first regional championship and state quarterfinals berth. Athens lost a lot of firepower both from the lineup and pitching staff and will have to challenge with nine returnees and eight newcomers. On the roster there are nine sophomores.
Troy Bethany Christian
HEAD COACH: Evan Dawle, fourth season.
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state semifinals to Lake Orion Baptist.
KEY RETURNEES: Jacob King, sr. P-INF (all-league);
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:\
Waterford Kettering
HEAD COACH: Michael Malley
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to West Bloomfield (6-5).
KEY RETURNEES: Brenden Ewer, sr. P-INF; Henry Mistrzak, sr. P-INF; Josh Chekal, sr. P-OF; Riley Ellis, sr. P-OF.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Waterford Mott
HEAD COACH: Collin McGran
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in D-1 district semifinals to Clarkston (5-2).
KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Waterford Oakdale Christian Academy
HEAD COACH: Curt Motsinger
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Lost in Michigan Association of Christian Schools first round.
KEY RETURNEES:
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
HEAD COACH: Mark Smith, fourth season
2015 RECORD:
STATE TOURNAMENT: Def. Burton St. Thomas More Academy (4-2); def. Dryden (5-4); lost in D-4 district finals to Clarkston Everest Collegiate (3-2).
KEY RETURNEES: Brody DeMunnik, jr. 1B-P; Zack Erwin, jr. INF; Brody DeMunnik, jr. P-1B; Patrick Kaminski, soph. P-INF; Jake Csizmadia, jr. OF.
KEY NEWCOMERS:
KEY LOSSES:
OUTLOOK:
Above are the 2016 Prep Baseball Team Capsules for schools located in the www.northoaklandsports.com coverage region. Email updates, corrections or general team information to Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com. Follow on Twitter @LocalSportsFans
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