Okemos, reigning champion Olivet lead field for Dean Shippey Capital Diamond Classic
EAST LANSING — Bill Whitely prefers to stay in the moment.
He never looks back and doesn't look into the future.
That approach has helped the Olivet baseball coach during a 33-year coaching career that included him earning his 700th career win last month.
And he hopes that approach helps Olivet continue to do special things on the diamond as it gets ready for the final stretch of the season. That final stretch includes a return trip to the Diamond Classic for the CAAC White-leading Eagles, who made history last spring by winning the Greater Lansing showcase for the first time in program history.
"I think the kids are excited again," Whitely said. "This year all the games are at Michigan State and the kids are excited about playing there. They are definitely excited. They know they have a lot to play for."
Olivet lost five key components from last year's Diamond Classic championship team and still has put together a strong season as it has transitioned from the GLAC to the CAAC White. The Eagles entered their Tuesday doubleheader against Lakewood with an 18-4 record and 9-0 mark in the CAAC White.
"It's been kind of a pleasant surprise," Whitely said. "We've had some key pieces back. We have four guys who have been three-year starters, but we knew our JVs didn't have a lot of depth last year and we were trying to fill in holes. A couple of kids have stepped up and done a pretty nice job to help us have a nice season so far."
CAAC Blue champion Okemos (18-6) is among the other top seeds for the tournament and has a talented roster that includes potential MLB first-round draft pick Caleb Bonemer.
More: Dean Shippey Capital Diamond Classic schedule
The rest of the 10-team field includes CMAC leader and Division 4 No. 6-ranked Portland St. Patrick (23-1), CAAC Red leader and Division 2 No. 13 Mason (15-8-1), St. Johns (17-6-1), Division 2 No. 8 Williamston (16-3-1), Portland (13-6), DeWitt (16-8-1), Grand Ledge (14-13) and Holt (12-9). Grand Ledge was last year's tournament runner-up and has won the Diamond Classic 29 times and most recently in 2021.
Olivet, Grand Ledge, Okemos, DeWitt, Portland, St. Johns and Williamston were each in the field last season. Mason and Holt are in the field for the first time since 2022, while Portland St. Patrick is in the Diamond Classic for the first time since 2019.
The tournament begins Monday with Williamston facing Portland, followed by Portland St. Patrick against Holt.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Okemos, reigning champion Olivet lead Diamond Classic field
