Algonac baseball ready for long-awaited state semifinal berth
ALGONAC — Written inside the hat of every player on the Algonac baseball team is "122".
It represents the number of miles between the Muskrats' home field and McLane Baseball Stadium in East Lansing, where the MHSAA state finals are held.
"Our goal all year long was to make it 122 miles," Algonac coach Scott Thaler said. "So, '122' has always been on mind. For 365 days, we've thought about that and reiterated that."
Now, for the first time in program history, the Muskrats are making that trip.
Algonac (36-3) will face Lansing Catholic (23-5) in a Division 3 state semifinal on Thursday. First pitch is 2:30 p.m.
"It feels really good just knowing that we're one of the few teams left in the state still practicing," junior captain Evan Saddler said. "It feels good to be a part of it."
"We set goals in the offseason and this was one of our big goals and dreams," senior captain Tyler Schultz said. "We're just trying to chase it."
Everyone in Division 3 has been chasing the Muskrats this season, as they've held the No. 1 ranking all year long. Since the team's last loss on May 24, Algonac is 9-0 and has outscored opponents, 89-12.
"It takes a lot of mental stability to be able to handle the situations you're in," Saddler said of the journey to get this far. "And when you handle it with perfection, you get used to it and start taking it one pitch at a time."
The Muskrats passed their biggest test yet on Saturday, when they held off Ecorse, 5-3, in a regional final at home. Later that afternoon, they only needed five innings to roll past Cass City, 11-1, in a state quarterfinal.
"We've had really good leadership," Schultz said. "Not just from the seniors, but with the guys all around. Everyone is playing their role."
With its state ranking and impressive record, Algonac may appear to be the favorite in Thursday's matchup. But the Muskrats have never put much stock into polls or predictions. They're expecting a dogfight.
"We know they're really good defensively," Schultz said. "They're a scrappy team and, as Coach Thaler said, they play baseball the right way. We've just got to stay confident. That's been the key to our success."
"They've got a great record and have played very tough competition," Thaler said. "I know that they're going to be a solid team. The coach has been there for quite a few years. I'm sure their defense is good and I'm sure they can hit the ball, too."
The winner advances to Saturday's Division 3 state final against Bridgman or Standish-Sterling.
"As it's the first time in (program) history, we've all got to soak it in," Saddler said of reaching the state semifinal. "Not just our team, but the community. I hope they take pride in it, too, as we're all coming together as a community."
"I'm looking forward to taking in the moment myself," Thaler said. "Because this moment will speed up on you. We've got more work to do, but we made it exactly 122 miles."
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Algonac baseball ready for long-awaited state semifinal berth
