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Key questions I have heading into the 2024 Cheboygan area high school baseball season

jared greenleaf, cheboygan daily tribune
·4 min read

CHEBOYGAN – With the weather not looking promising, I’m not sure if we’re going to see any Cheboygan area baseball teams competing on the diamond this week.

I sure hope they play, but it probably won't happen. No matter when the season starts, there’s question marks going into the campaign for each area squad. So, here’s one question I have for each.

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Can Cheboygan shake off a subpar 2023?

After winning a district championship thriller over Escanaba in 2022, the Chiefs struggled for much of last season. It was always going to be a tough task for the Chiefs, who had to replace so much from that sensational 2022 team.

Cheboygan has its fair share of standouts returning, including senior catcher Dylan Balazovic and junior pitcher/infielder Sean Postula, so bouncing back with a winning season will likely be one of the goals for the Chiefs. I think the Chiefs have the quality to deliver a winning campaign, but it’ll be a challenge with a tough schedule that includes Straits Area Conference rival Sault Ste. Marie, area foe Inland Lakes, and Petoskey.

Will Inland Lakes three-peat in the Ski Valley?

The Bulldogs are hoping to get over their regional hump, especially after losses to Rudyard in each of the past two seasons. But with so much returning talent back – including two-time first team all-state pitcher Connor Wallace – the Bulldogs look well equipped to capture a third consecutive Ski Valley Conference championship. Of course, there’s the usual suspects that’ll look to dethrone Inland Lakes, like Gaylord St. Mary.

Inland Lakes' Connor Wallace (right) and Aidan Fenstermaker share a chat on the mound during a regional semifinal baseball game against Rudyard at Harbor Springs last season. The Bulldogs are aiming to capture a third consecutive Ski Valley Conference title this spring.
Inland Lakes' Connor Wallace (right) and Aidan Fenstermaker share a chat on the mound during a regional semifinal baseball game against Rudyard at Harbor Springs last season. The Bulldogs are aiming to capture a third consecutive Ski Valley Conference title this spring.

It’s never easy to win a conference crown, but the Bulldogs have the talent and experience to secure a three-peat.

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Is Mackinaw City an NLC title contender?

One of the most intriguing teams to follow these next few months will be the Comets, who have championship aspirations in the Northern Lakes Conference.

Mackinaw City returns firepower with seniors Nick Vieau, Sabastian Pierce, Lucas Bergstrom and Trystan Swanson leading the way, but will it be enough to topple the likes of Ellsworth and Harbor Light, a pair of tough NLC contenders? The Comets fell short last season and will have to win it this spring without Lars Huffman, a stellar pitcher who graduated last season.

Do Nick Vieau (pitching) and the Mackinaw City baseball team have a shot at winning the Northern Lakes Conference title this spring?
Do Nick Vieau (pitching) and the Mackinaw City baseball team have a shot at winning the Northern Lakes Conference title this spring?

If the Comets can put it all together, I believe they have a puncher’s chance to take it all in the NLC.

How much of a step will Onaway take?

The Cardinals have challenged for district titles in recent seasons but have fallen short. However, with a senior-stacked team, Onaway might be able to win a district in 2024.

They’ll have solid senior pitching with Alpena Community College signee Dylan Szymoniak, Cole Selke and Austin Veal, as well as talented players in Luke Lovelace, Jackson Chaskey and others, so it’ll be fascinating to see if the Cardinals can take a step forward in a tough Ski Valley conference. Inland Lakes and Gaylord St. Mary are the presumed favorites, but can the Cardinals put themselves in the upper tier of the conference?

I’m excited to find out!

What will Pellston look like?

Led by new coach Jared Anderson, Pellston will hope to avenge a difficult 2023 season and make some progress this spring. Longtime pitcher Zack Moyer graduated following last campaign, but the Hornets still have versatility in Jack Schmalzried, Noah Hansen and Jack Lane.

I have no clue what kind of team Pellston will yield this fall, but I’m on the side of the Hornets being competitive. The Hornets will take their lumps against more quality sides, but I believe progress will be made.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Storylines to watch during the 2024 Cheboygan area baseball campaign