Whiteford's Tammerine leads impressive group of diamond stars

When Logan Tammerine was a freshman, Whiteford coach Terry Pant called him the best hitter he has ever coached.

Tammerine has lived up to those high standards and a lot more.

Pant also considers him the best defensive third baseman he has ever coached.

Tammerine has earned a spot on the All-State Team selected by the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association in each of his first three seasons at Whiteford.

And last year, he didn’t even make it for his hitting talents or defensive ability in the infield.

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He was an All-State pitcher.

Tammerine ranks as one of the top baseball players in the Monroe County Region as he prepares for his senior season.

His final season of high school baseball could be his best.

Tammerine is an elite hitter and a pitcher who hits the mid 80s to low 90s on the radar gun.

This spring, he will get to move back from shortstop to his natural position of third base because of the arrival of freshman Trey Eitniear – a player who Pant says may have as much or more natural ability as Tammerine.

“It’s almost like getting a mirror image,” Pant said of Tammerine and Eitniear. “Trey does things you can’t teach – kind of like Tammerine.”

What did Pant see from Tammerine as a freshman that led him to lavish the youngster with praise?

“He was confident, and his swing was effortless,” the coach said. “It’s the only sport he plays. He puts in a lot of time.”

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Tammerine has yet to choose where he intends to play college baseball, but Pant says that Lincoln Trail Junior College in Illinois is the favorite.

“It’s a powerhouse junior college program,” Pant said. “Most guys wind up in Division 1 after a few years there.”

Tammerine is one of the Region players to watch this spring. A list of some of the best follows (in alphabetical order):

Noah Adkins, Ida, senior, c-p: Carried a 1.84 ERA last season and won four games.

Jaxin Betts, Jefferson, junior, u: Capable of playing almost every position on the field. “He has had a nice off season working with the bat,” Jefferson coach Tyler Bondy said.

Gabe Bock, Bedford, senior, p-3b: Went 7-2 last season on the mound with a 2.80 earned run average and 51 strikeouts.

More: Logan Tammerine leads high school baseball stat leaders

Collin Brooks, Erie Mason, junior, of: Batted .352 with 20 runs, 20 hits, 27 walks and 15 stolen bases. “We are expecting big things out of him this year,” Mason coach Blain Moore said.

Cooper Buhl, Dundee, senior, p-if: Tied for fourth in the Region last spring with 33 RBIs. Hit .300 with 25 runs.

Drew Bylow, SMCC, senior, c: The Monroe County Region Swimmer of the Year for Dundee led the Falcons last year with a .378 average and 27 RBIs. “One of the better catchers in the area,” SMCC coach Jared Janssens said.

Cody Byrd, Jefferson, senior, 1b: Earned a spot on the All-Region team last season with a .343 average. “He has been our clubhouse leader the past two years,” Jefferson coach Tyler Bondy said.

Tyler Dafoe, Summerfield, junior, p-u: “Tyler can play almost any position for us and can play them well,” Summerfield coach Reid Olmstead said. “He does a great job on the mound coming out of the bullpen.”

Trey Eitniear, Whiteford, freshman, p-ss: Started at quarterback for Whiteford’s football team and led the Bobcats to the state finals. His best sport is baseball.

Mike Giroux, Flat Rock, junior, ss-p: A wrist injury ended his season earlier last spring, but he still hit .417 with a 646 slugging percentage and 18 RBI.

Connor Grant, New Boston Huron, senior, c: His bat (.380) and skills behind the plate landed him a scholarship from Alma.

Kyle Kantola, New Boston Huron, senior, p-of: Earned a spot on the All-Region team last spring by hitting .316 and logging a 0.76 ERA.

Logan Keane, Whiteford, senior, p-if: Transferred from Summerfield to Whiteford after hitting .422 and going 6-2 on the mound with a 2.30 ERA to make the All-Region team last spring.

Owen Kostoff, Jefferson, sophomore, of-p: “Pitches and plays outfield at a high level and continues to improve,” Jefferson coach Tyler Bondy said.

Cole Kreger, Erie Mason, senior, c: “Cole is our catcher and leader,” Mason coach Blain Moore said. “He is what every coach wants in his dugout. He works, puts in the extra time before and after practice.”

Gunnar Kruise: Milan, junior, 3b-p: Hit .380 with 34 runs in 2023 while carrying a 1.20 earned-run average.

Sean Langton, Airport, senior, p-of: Went 7-2 with a 3.09 ERA last season. “Sean took the mound vs. many of our top opponents,” Airport coach Jeff Goins said.

Nolan Laskey, Bedford, senior, p-1b: Will play next season at Grand Valley State. He hit .409 as a junior with 36 RBIs and had a 5-2 pitching record with 50 strikeouts and 2 saves.

Dom Laskowski. Carlson, senior, c-u: Will provide senior leadership for the Marauders while playing catcher and other positions.

Ethan Layton, Dundee, senior, p-of: A great athlete coming off strong seasons in football and basketball. Led the Vikings with four pitching wins last season.

Carson Liedel, Monroe, sophomore, p-u: Made the All-Region team as a freshman by hitting .356 with 28 RBIs while going 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA on the mound.

Lukas Linzell, Milan, sophomore, c: “Arguably the best defensive catcher in the (Huron) league,” new Milan coach Peyton Harding said.

Logan Loveland, Monroe, senior, of-2b: Made the All-Southeastern Conference Red team last year by hitting .250 with 22 runs and 14 RBIs.

Jaxon Millican, Ida, junior, p: Opponents his just .164 against him last spring when he carried a 1.72 ERA and logged 48 strikeouts.

Jack Mills, Airport, senior, if: Hit .293 and played many positions for the Jets. “Has been a clutch hitter throughout his career,” Airport coach Jeff Goins said.

Nolan Moore, SMCC, senior, if: Hit .323 last season and has committed to play next season at Walsh University. “Leads by example and a great student of the game,” SMCC coach Jared Janssens said.

Jaxon Morawski: Milan, senior, ss: A four-year varsity starter who hit .347 with 27 RBI last season. Also picked up 2 saves.

Colin Nowak, Airport, senior, of: Hit .327 as a lead-off hitter last season. “Did a good job of getting on base and using his speed to put pressure on the defense,” Airport coach Jeff Goins said.

Jaden Paquette, SMCC, senior if: Will play next year for St. Clair Community College. “A four-year varsity player, hard worker and great leader,” SMCC coach Jared Janssens said.

Breylon Richards, Monroe, senior, 1b-3b-p: Hit .323 with 23 RBIs and a .535 slugging percentage last year. Tied for the Region lead with four home runs.

AJ Schrader, Ida, senior, ss: Tied for the Region lead last spring with 29 stolen bases and scored 32 runs.

Micah Smith, New Boston Huron, senior, 3b-p: Was recruited by Bowling Green as a pitcher after going 6-0 with 68 strikeouts and 3 saves last season.

Nate Stevens, Whiteford, junior, p-of: Won six games and compiled a 1.27 earned-run average last season with 66 strikeouts in 55.3 innings.

Adam Szalay, Flat Rock, junior, p: Led the Rams in wins last year and recorded 52 strikeouts.

Logan Tammerine, Whiteford, senior, 3b-p: Went 10-1 with a 1.07 ERA and 114 strikeouts on the mound last season and batted .391 with 33 RBIs and a .563 on-base percentage.

Dean Thomas, Ida, junior, 3b: Led his team with five pitching wins and a 1.66 ERA last season and stole 22 bases. Also hit .321.

Jacob Wadsworth, Summerfield, senior, p-of: Hit .388 with 29 RBIs and compiled a 1.65 ERA last season. Will pitch at Olivet next season. “He’s a great player,” Summerfield coach Reid Olmstead said.

Jackson Zachary, Carlson, senior, of-p: Tied for second in the Region last season with three home runs and also tied for second with four triples and made the All-Region team. He has committed to Michigan Tech for football.

Nolan Zajac, Airport, senior c: Beginning is fourth season on the varsity. “He has been one of our top hitters the past couple of years, and has provided us with great defense behind the plate,” Airport coach Jeff Goins said.

Ty Zapadka, Bedford, senior, ss-3b: Will play for Lourdes University next season.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Best on the diamond: Cast your vote for Region's top baseball player