Thoughts just a few days into the Cheboygan area spring sports season

CHEBOYGAN — OK, I have to say it.

Since last Friday up until now — it’s been a thrill being back outside and covering spring sporting events. Starting with Cheboygan baseball’s windy opener last week, to Inland Lakes and Onaway doing battle on Tuesday, to the Chiefs softball team putting on a show Wednesday — there’s a lot to be excited about early on.

So, here’s a look at what’s stood out so far about this spring sports season.

Cheboygan softball is legit

I’m not saying they’re the 2017 Inland Lakes Bulldogs juggernaut, but Cheboygan softball is going to be a problem for a lot of opponents.

Whether it’s senior pitcher Libby VanFleet, sophomore sensation Presley Chamberlain — or a collective group of players who will kick your butt — the Chiefs are going to be fun to watch this spring. I’m not sure if they’ll win a district title in June, but it's a team I feel will dominate the Straits Area Conference once again. It’s also a squad that features quality up and down the lineup. Whether it's VanFleet as your leadoff hitter, Emerson Eustice providing power near the middle of the lineup, or Emily Clark as a steady bat at the bottom of the order, this Cheboygan team is terrifying when you look at it.

I know they’re only a few games in and a lot can happen, but the Chiefs have all the makings of being the best and most entertaining team this spring. Stay tuned.

SWEEPING PETOSKEY: Cheboygan softball maintains early-season momentum, sweeps past Petoskey at home

ASHLEY SIGNS WITH ACC: Versatile Cheboygan softball star Jordan Ashley to join Alpena Community College program

Bulldogs show mental toughness; Onaway looks improved

Going into Tuesday, I thought two-time defending Ski Valley champion Inland Lakes baseball might make easy work of the M-68 rival Onaway Cardinals.

Wrong!

The Bulldogs received all they could handle from the Cardinals despite cranking out a sweep with a pair of close victories. Inland Lakes had to hold on in game one, then used the walk-off heroics of senior Connor Wallace to complete the sweep. It was a nice display of mental toughness from the Bulldogs, who are looking to improve in that department.

But plenty of praise also goes to the Cardinals, who scrapped, clawed and were a major threat against their rivals during two competitive contests. It might not have gone the way the Cardinals had hoped, but it’s a sign that this Onaway team is vastly improved and has all the makings of being a district contender come June.

BULLDOGS EDGE ONAWAY TWICE: Wallace's clutch at-bat helps Inland Lakes baseball seal hard-fought sweep over Onaway

INLAND LAKES SOFTBALL ROLLS: Inland Lakes softball coasts past Onaway; Cheboygan soccer cruises in season opener

A few other impressive performers

As for Inland Lakes softball, the Bulldogs looked impressive in a sweep over Onaway, being led by several talented players like Maggie Grant, Lexi Kovtun and Brooklyn LaBrecque, who each gave the Cardinals fits.

The Cheboygan girls soccer team — which graduated a ton of talent from last season — also started off with a bang, hammering Brethren in an 8-0 triumph on Tuesday.

We obviously don’t know how good both of those respective squads will end up being, but each could very well make this spring a memorable one.

TRACK ATHLETES TO WATCH: These are the Cheboygan area track and field athletes to watch for in the 2024 season

Special shoutouts

This has been an extra busy week — and for good reason. I wanted to say congratulations to a trio of area athletes on signing letters of intent to continue their respective sports at the college level.

Those would be Inland Lakes’ Connor Wallace, who signed to play baseball at Grand Rapids Community College on Sunday, Cheboygan’s Taylor Bent, who signed to play women’s soccer at GRCC on Monday, and Cheboygan’s Jordan Ashley, who signed to play softball at Alpena Community College on Tuesday. Well done to all.

What a week, indeed.

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: Early thoughts on the 2024 Cheboygan area spring sports campaign