Preseason No. 1 state ranking doesn't deter focus for Algonac baseball

ALGONAC — There's no overlooking the Algonac baseball team anymore. Not after everything that's happened in the past year.

The Muskrats finished 29-12 and won their first-ever regional championship in 2022. They entered 2023 ranked No. 1 in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division 3 preseason poll.

Algonac also has star pitcher Josh Kasner, who was selected to the MHSBCA All-State first team last year. Did I mention the junior is committed to the University of Michigan?

In addition to high expectations, the Muskrats are now on everyone's radar. Sounds like a lot of pressure, right? Maybe it is. But Algonac isn't sweating.

"I don't really think about it that much," Kasner said. "I mean, I know we're a good team. But last year, we didn't start very well. We started off rough and lost a lot of games. So we're just trying to win more early in the season this year and keep it up."

"We try not to think about that (outside noise) too much," senior outfielder Brandon Williams said. "We know everyone is throwing their best at us. We're trying to play our best game and stay confident."

Despite all the buzz the Muskrats have generated, they remain prudent in their approach.

"It helps having eight seniors on the team," Algonac coach Scott Thaler said. "Those guys went through the battles last year and had the opportunity to be able to have some success.

"We talked early on about those (preseason) rankings once they came out. Those rankings mean nothing — it's a team on paper. In order to win championships and achieve your goals, you have to have a clear focus."

The team has been locked in since last fast fall. That's when Thaler first noticed how serious his players were about the upcoming season.

"(It happened) in November," Thaler said. "When the kids were asking to get swings or asking for open gyms or to do the four-man workouts. I knew we had something special then. And I'm hoping that it continues."

So far, so good. The Muskrats are off to 3-0 start and have outscored opponents, 16-1, in the process. They've also been careful not to let difficult situations rattle them.

"Early in the season, teams usually fold if there's guys on second and third with no outs," Kasner said. "But we're just trying to stay composed and not worry too much about that. We've been playing pretty good baseball."

Kasner is one of the reasons why. He's 2-0 and has yet to allow a run. But equally important is his demeanor, especially with all the extra attention on the Muskrats.

"He's just level-headed when it comes to that type of stuff," Thaler said. "He's a gamer. He's a bulldog out there on the mound and he loves that one-on-one challenge (with every batter)."

As for Williams, he's the new face on the team. His family moved from Marine City to Algonac last summer. And he's already a perfect fit in the dugout.

"I feel great," Williams said of the transition. "Everyone has made me feel like a brother since I came here. I feel like it's home."

"(He's adjusted) really, really well," Thaler said. "When a new kid comes into your school — whether it's in the classroom or (on the field) — you want to welcome him in. He's been great."

Williams got a hit in his first at-bat as a Muskrat during Algonac's 2-1 win over St. Clair on Thursday. He also initiated the game-winning double play on defense.

Algonac is loaded with other exceptional athletes, including Caleb Thomas, Tyler Schultz and Andrew Thomason. But while the Muskrats hope to be playing in June again, they know the road back won't be easy.

"First and foremost, we talk about winning the BWAC (championship)," Thaler said. "The BWAC is something that we have not won. That's our first goal. After that, it's whatever championships (may follow)."

"(We want) to go as far as we can and keep our playing our game" Kasner said. "We'll see where that takes us — hopefully pretty far so we can try and win a state championship."

"These (early wins) are cool and all," Williams said. "But we have (the goal of winning a state title) in the back of our head."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Preseason No. 1 state ranking doesn't deter focus for Algonac baseball