Five new coaches take reins for Region high school baseball teams
There are new faces in a lot of places when it comes to Monroe County Region baseball.
There was an unexpected change recently when Chris Clark took over at Monroe following the sudden resignation of Bubba Bezeau during pre-season practices.
Clark is one of five new coaches in the Region this season.
The other new men in the dugout are Jeff Goins at Airport, Nicholas McGuire at Gibraltar Carlson, Peyton Harding at Milan and Jared Janssen at St. Mary Catholic Central.
More: Bezeau resigns as Monroe baseball coach on eve of the season
Bedford’s Craig Trychel, who is entering his 27th season after eclipsing 600 career wins last spring, is the dean of Region coaches.
Dundee’s Paul Walters is second on the seniority list. He is beginning his 13th season and Terry Pant of Whiteford is entering Year 12.
Previews of all of the teams follows.
AIRPORT
Coach: Jeff Goins, first year.
2023 record: 30-5.
Returning starters: Seniors Nolan Zajac (c), Jack Mills (if), Jayden Harper-Lewis (if), Colin Nowak (of), Sean Langton (p-of), Seth Jones (p), Cooper Nye (p).
Other players: Senior Jonathan Daniels (p-of); juniors Tyler Carroll (c), Lance Choike (of), Preston Daly (p-if), Bryce Kull (p-if), Casey Monroe (p-if), Brady Smith (p-of), Carter Smith (p-if).
Season outlook: The Jets bring back the heart of a team that won 30 games last spring.
Coach’s comments: “Our focus this year will be to throw strikes and play solid defensively. If we can do that on a consistent basis, we feel that we can have solid year. We've set up a challenging schedule which will hopefully prepare us for competing in a tough Huron League.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Craig Trychel, 27th season.
2023 record: 21-19.
Returning players: Seniors Nolan Laskey (1b-p), Gabe Bock (p-3b), Ty Zapadka (ss-2b), Aiden Schoch (of-p); juniors Isaac Garrow (of-p), Cade McNamara (p).
Other players: Juniors Jace Bloomer (ss-2b), Braylon Czarnik (3b-p), Jack Decker (2b-ss), Andrew Kuebbeler (c-3b), Zachary Weiher (c-3b); sophomores Griffin Brush (cf-p), Brody Leonhard (of-p).
Season outlook: Trychel believes he has the makings of a solid pitching staff. The Mules need some younger players to develop quickly.
Coach's comments: “I think this group can be a very good and exciting team to watch. This group really loves to play and is willing to put in the work to be successful.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Paul Walters, 14th season.
2023 record: 21-16.
Returning starters: Seniors Chris LaFountain (of), Cooper Buhl (if-p), Ethan Layton (of-p); junior Ryan Zanger (if-p).
Other players: Juniors Quinton Lephew (if-p), Joey Brink (c-p), Carter Ray (of-p), Jacob Foster (of), Ashton Viers (if), Jay Hickey (if); sophomores Camden Fairchild (if-p), Evan Bennett (if-p).
Season outlook: Dundee graduated seven seniors who were major contributors. There are plenty of opportunities for younger guys to earn playing time.
Coach's comments: “We have typically been a defense-first type of program, but with some new approaches and a lot of work, we are aiming to score runs in bunches this season.”
ERIE MASON
Coach: Blain Moore, second year.
2023 record: 5-21.
Returning players: Seniors Cole Kreger (c), Tyler Groves (of), Xavier Wise (2b); juniors Karter Stubleski (ss), Carson Ellerbrock (of), Collin Brooks (of); sophomores Anderson Moore (3b), Brody Koehl (1b), Preston Adkins (of).
Other players: Senior Vaughn Brown (if-of); junior Phoenix Stefko (of); sophomores Bowie Jacobs (of), Lucas Hutson (1b); freshmen TJ Langenderfer (of), Lucas Neely (c-if), Rylan Woods (of).
Season outlook: Mason had just one senior and two players with varsity experience last year. Brown joins the team as a senior this spring after sitting out last season.
Coach's comments: “We didn’t have a very good record last year but we developed some talent and team chemistry. The boys love putting in the work. … We are expecting a much-improved record this year.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Josh Godfrey, second year.
2023 record: 14-13.
Returning starters: Juniors Mike Giroux (ss-p), Adam Szalay (p), Logan Coplen (of), Anthony Hernandez (of), Alex Dropiewski (c); sophomores Jayden Yancey (if-p), Evan Szalay (cf).
Other players: Seniors Jaycob Piepryzk (of), Reagan Engelbert (p-u); juniors Brendan Smouthers (if-p), Sawyer Scott (c), Landon Dwyer (of), Drew Booth (1b), Gabe Harrison (of), Colten Williams (if-p); freshman Ty Bergeron (1b-p).
Season outlook: The Rams, who set a goal of reaching 20 wins this season, have seven returning starters and all of them are underclassmen.
Coach’s comments: “Our extremely young team from a year ago now have a year of varsity experience under their belt and are ready to take the next step forward. We have a good crop of young talent who want to continue to progress and play winning baseball.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Nick McGuire, first year.
2023 record: 10-23.
Returning players: Seniors Jackson Zachary (of-p), Brady Robinson (1b-p), Dom Laskowski (c-u), Aiden Scarberry (c-p); juniors Joe Krolak (of-p), Matthew MacBride (of).
Other players: Seniors Nolan Pizzo (c-3b), Samuel Stirling (1b); juniors Joe Krolak (of-p), Landon Vida (of), Jon Cifaldi (of-p), Preston Eighmey (if-p), Matthew MacBride (of), Joeseph Garrick (if), Brandan Frisch (if-p), Troy Hunter (if-p); Kyle Salisbury (if-p), Joe Borowski (p), Brady Wilkins (if-p), Teegan Nagy (c-of-p).
Season outlook: McGuire is a 1998 Lincoln Park graduate who was an assistant baseball coach at Schoolcraft College from 2018-2022 who eventually rose to associate head coach. He stepped down to spend more time with his family.
Season outlook: “I am excited about this team. We have a ton of talent and I think we are going to surprise some teams especially after last year’s record.”
IDA
Coach: Jimmy McMonagle, sixth year.
2023 record: 14-13-1.
Returning starters: Seniors AJ Schrader (ss), Noah Adkins (c-p); juniors Dean Thomas (3b), Jaxon Millican (p), Evan O’Dell (of); sophomores Owen Snyder (2b-ss), Gavin Albring (of), Jacob Town (c).
Other players: Seniors Landon Wolfenbarger (of), Jak Kocinski (3b), Alex Noland (of); juniors Nolan Savett (1b), Josh Johnson (of).
Season outlook: Ida returns 90-percent of the innings from a pitching staff that carried a 2.81 earned-run average last season.
Coach’s comments: “We have the ability to be elite defensively. The guys have been working really hard in the off season to take the next step offensively. If we can do that, we will have a good chance to win a bunch of games this year.”
JEFFERSON
Coach: Tyler Bondy, third year.
2023 record: 8-27-1.
Returning players: Seniors Cody Byrd, Elijah Foster, Joey Neckel; juniors Jaxin Betts, Jace Arnold, Chene Mielen, Cody Flint; sophomores Griffin Bennett, Keegan Stefko, Jake Brewer, Owen Kostoff.
New players: Senior Gabriel Hall; junior Nathan Todd; freshmen Luke Beaudrie, Bret Gennoe, Jonathan Leffew.
Season outlook: Bondy believes a strong freshman class will help the Bears improve defensively.
Coach’s comments: “Although we return a good amount of players we are still young in terms of experience. We will look to continue to build on fundamentals and teaching points throughout the entire season. … I anticipate some early growing pains but this group is eager to learn. I am extremely encouraged about the direction this team and the program are heading.”
MILAN
Coach: Peyton Harding, first year.
2023 record: 19-13.
Returning starters: Senior Jaxon Morawski (ss); junior Gunnar Kruise (3b-p).
Other players: Juniors Lewis Wiard (lf), KJ DeMars (p-2b); sophomores Lukas Linzell (c), Cameron Dessellior (p).
Season outlook: Harding has assembled a staff of former college baseball players to replace Adam Gilles, who racked up 451 wins in 24 seasons as Milan’s coach. Gilles resigned following the 2023 season.
Coach’s comments: “This baseball team is adapting to the changing of the coaching staff and fully committing to our core team values. … I am beyond excited to watch these guys prepare and perform on the practice field and game field.”
MONROE
Coach: Chris Clark, first year.
2023 record: 25-9-1.
Returning starters: Seniors Breylon Richards (1b-3b-p), Brandon Bice (3b-of-p), Logan Loveland (of-2b), Brady Welch (p-of-1b); junior Bryce Lechner (p-of-3b); sophomores Aiden Homer. Carson Liedel (p-u).
Other players: Juniors Bryson Lane (2b-3b-c), Devin Brossia (p-u), Garrett Gottschalk (p-u), Gavin Bileck (p-of-1b), Izaiah Machuca (3b-of-p), Jax Jones (p-u); sophomores Cody Snead (p-c-ss), Isaac Lentz (p-1b-of); freshman Asher Simmons (p-c-if).
Season outlook: Richards, Loveland and Liedel all were All-SEC Red players last season. Machuca transferred in from Ida and Simmons and Jones could make an immediate impact.
Coach’s comments: “The potential to be a decent team is there. We have some talent. Being inexperienced could be a problem. … “if they can pull together and not care about who gets the credit, they could be a highly competitive baseball team.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Phil Yancey, eighth year.
2023 record: 23-8.
Returning players: Seniors Ethan Connor (p), Connor Grant (c), Jacob Handyside (1b), Kyle Kantola (p-of), Chad Martin (p), Nate Morse (if), Tyler Ramsby (if), Caiden Siggett (p), Micah Smith (3b-p); juniors Myles Grace (cf), Austin O’Dell (of), Gavin O’Hara (p); sophomores Noah Banas (ss), Dayton Miller (p-of).
Other players: Juniors Bradley Hughes (u), Tyler Phillips (p); freshmen Jakob Furkas (cf-p), Cash Moczydlowsky (p-ss), Jackson Surma (3b-p).
Season outlook: Huron should once again have a deep and talented pitching staff. Yancey said his hitters need to cut down on strikeouts and put the ball in play more often.
Coach's comment: “Excited about the season. We should have a great year. We have three freshman that can play at a high level.”
SMCC
Coach: Jared Janssens, first year.
2023 record: 17-16.
Returning starters: Seniors Drew Bylow (c), Nolan Moore (if), Jaden Paquette (if), Brady Runyon (p); Brennan Runyon (1b-p), Anthony Caladino (of-p), Joel Treece (if); sophomore Cameron Cole (p-of).
Other players: Senior Philbert Dietrich (of); juniors Griffin Worden (c-if), Riley Sommer (if), Sam Doyle (of-p), Tyler Rutkowski (if); sophomores Brock Cousino (of), Brady Decator (of-p), Ryan Hayden (if-p).
Season outlook: Janssens coached Ida’s boys basketball team before becoming the athletic director at SMCC. He says throwing strikes and playing solid defense are the keys for the Falcons.
Coach’s comments: “We have a great group of kids. They are really coachable and work really hard. We have great leaders on this team, and that will help us as we navigate the season.”
SUMMERFIELD
Coach: Reid Olmstead, third year.
2023 record: 15-12.
Returning starters: Seniors Jacob Wadsworth (of-p), Keegan Sieler (if-p), Tyrus LaRocca (if-c); juniors Brenden Myshock (if), Hayden Noland (of), Tyler Dafoe (if-p); sophomore Reece Kalb (of-p).
Other players: Seniors Aiden Lewis (of), Ethan Long (of); sophomores Allen Roof (if-c), Clark Ciacelli (if-p); freshmen Rylee Schiffler (of-p), Jude Flowers (if-p).
Season Outlook: The heart of the team that made it to the regional finals returns with some exciting new talent added to the mix.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of experienced starters returning this season. I think we have some talented younger players who will step in and fill some gaps. The key to our season is going to be our pitching and playing good defense behind them.”
WHITEFORD
Coach: Terry Pant, 12th year.
2023 record: 22-10.
Returning starters: Seniors Logan Tammerine (p-if), Luke Vida (p-of), Mason VanBrandt (p-if); juniors Nate Stevens (p-of), Brendan Masters (of-p-1b); sophomore Zayne Emch (c).
Other players: Seniors Logan Keane (p-if), Drew Knaggs (of), Noah Stevens (p-1b); juniors Avery Cousino (1b), Rylin Joerin (of); sophomores Gabe Spiewik (p-of), Luke Henegar (p-of), Jake Scott (c-1b); freshman Trey Eitniear (p-if).
Season outlook: Three-time All-Stater Tammerine leads an intriguing mix of returning starters and talented newcomers.
Coach’s comments: “I feel like we have the one of deepest pitching rotations in the Region and our defense all around will be very strong. … We’ve set our goals very high this season. I feel that if our bats are consistent, we can compete with anyone.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: High School Baseball Previews: Five teams open with new coaches
