Former PHS athlete to toss first pitch in Memorial Day Tourney
PETOSKEY — The Petoskey baseball program never forgets what the long weekend ahead is truly all about.
While many look forward to the welcomed time off and chance to get together with friends and family as the weather warms, the Petoskey baseball program looks forward to again honoring the real meaning of Memorial Day.
For over a decade now, Petoskey has brought opponents to town for its annual Memorial Day Tournament, welcoming a local veteran to deliver the ceremonial first pitch, while of course remembering those who didn’t make it home from their service as well.
On Saturday, Petoskey will welcome 2019 Petoskey High School graduate and U.S. Marine, Keegan Piehl, back to deliver the first pitch before the start of the tournament. Keegan is also the older brother of 2021 Petoskey baseball all-state outfielder, Ian Piehl. Keegan stood out as both a football and track athlete in his days at PHS.
Making their way to Petoskey to compete with the Northmen this weekend include Saginaw Heritage, Frankenmuth and L’Anse Creuse.
Heritage will enter with a 17-15-2 record, having already faced the Northmen in their April season opener and taken both games. L'Anse Creuse has gone 9-25 this season, while Frankenmuth enters at 17-6-2 and with one of the top 2023 prospects in the state.
Frankenmuth senior pitcher Drew Titsworth is signed to play for Clemson and the 6-foot-3, 225-pound righty has also garnered MLB interest for the summer draft ahead. He's currently ranked as the No. 3 player in the state according to Prep Baseball Report.
Petoskey will meet L’Anse Creuse at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27 at Turcott Field, where the ceremonial first pitch from Piehl will take place just before game time.
Also at 10 a.m. on the Petoskey junior varsity field will be Saginaw Heritage meeting Frankenmuth.
The consolation game between game one losers will take place at Noon at Turcott, followed then by a matchup between winners at 2 p.m., also at Turcott.
The Petoskey JV field is located behind Petoskey Middle School.
Earlier this week, Petoskey baseball players and coaches also once again placed American flags at veteran gravesites at Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey, a gesture by the team that's also become synonymous with the Memorial Day games.
The Northmen have found great success in its Memorial Day Tournament over the years, which included a walk-off tournament title a year ago over L’Anse Creuse in a 5-4 final. The Northmen also defeated Rochester last season.
Petoskey will enter Saturday’s tournament with a current 14-14 record and a chance to build some momentum for their Division 2 district baseball tournament next week.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Former PHS athlete to toss first pitch in Memorial Day Tourney
