Novi wins first D1 baseball title over Woodhaven, 8-3, led by Uli Fernsler's complete game

The Novi Wildcats defeated the Woodhaven Warriors, 8-3, in the Division 1 baseball state championship to earn the first state title in program history Saturday morning in East Lansing.

Uli Fernsler pitched a complete game for Novi, striking out the final Warrior batter.

"It was a 3-2 pitch, and it was a changeup," Novi head coach Rick Green said. "I just closed my eyes actually and I heard the roar, and that's when I knew it."

Woodhaven pitcher Tyler Harris struck out the first batter to start the game, then walked Caleb Walker and allowed a single to Brendon Bennett, putting Novi runners on first and third. Harris collected himself and recorded two straight outs to end the early threat.

Gary Pilgrim singled to shallow center field, but was left on base as Fernsler found his stride.

The Wildcats broke through in the third.

MICK MCCABE: Novi baseball coach knew Uli Fernsler was the man after seeing just one pitch

Walker started the inning with an infield single, followed by two straight groundouts. Andrew Kummer nearly got the scoring started with a high fly ball over the head of the left fielder, but it landed just foul. He responded with a two-out single to center. Brent Reed then walked to load the bases, and Thad Lawler delivered a hit past the diving second baseman to bring home two runs.

"We left some runners on at first," Green said. "I thought we kind of dominated the game at the beginning. Even though we weren't scoring runs, I knew we'd break through sooner or later and we sure did."

The early momentum energized the Wildcat defense, holding Woodhaven to just one hit and no runs through three innings.

Novi added to its lead in the fourth inning against multiple Woodhaven pitchers. Harris exited after giving up his third run on an RBI single from Bennett. Brad Styles was then tasked with ending the inning.

Instead, Kummer extended the lead on another RBI single, causing yet another pitching change. Jacob Wright entered the game and allowed the Wildcats one more run on a single from Reed, before finally ending the inning on a popout. The damage had been done however, and Novi hopped out to an early 5-0 lead.

Woodhaven scored in the bottom of the fourth in part because of errors.

Wright put down a bunt and overthrow allowed him to reach second base. Nick Phillips then singled to right and yet another throwing error from the Wildcats allowed Wright to score.

Woodhaven then struggled with some wild throws of their own in the sixth inning.

Bennett hit a comebacker at Wright, allowing him to reach first base. Wright then gave up a walk to put two runners on base, and a wild pitch advanced both runners to second and third. Yet another wild pitch allowed Bennett to cross home plate for a 6-1 lead.

Andrew Phillips entered as the fourth Woodhaven pitcher of the game. Reed, with no outs, came up with a two-run double to center to extend the advantage to 8-1.

Woodhaven was able to get some momentum in the bottom of the seventh inning, but not enough to complete a comeback.

Jace Davis hit a double to deep center and advanced to third base on a groundout. Phillips legged out a single to score Davis. Dante Perry beat a close call at first to put runners on first and third, and Michael Budai's RBI single cut the Warriors' deficit to 8-3.

Fernsler rebounded to get the final out, leading to a celebration in the middle of the diamond.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Novi takes D1 baseball title in 8-3 win over Woodhaven