Spring sports #1

Ludington Daily News Thursday, April 10, 2014

Your guide to MCE, and Pentwater’s upcoming sports seasons, featuring stories, team photos and schedules

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

| THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Mason County Eastern softball

Young Cardinals seek titles

BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR Mason County Eastern’s softball team will have nearly as much inexperience as last year.

But longtime coach Bill Cole said the Cardinals have a markedly different look this season.

“Last year’s team was a soccer team that played softball. Without the soccer team playing softball — eight of them played soccer out of the 12 — (there wouldn’t have been a team),” Cole said. “They were good athletes that played softball.

“This year we’re a softball team that plays soccer.

We’ve got some knowledge of the game. We’re ahead of last year with mostly freshmen and sophomores.”

The Cardinals return just four players from last year’s team that saw its 16-year grip on the Western Michigan D League championship come to an end. However, the Cardinals won their 28th district title consecutively.

And the leaders of this year’s team figure to be the four returnees: Emily Knizacky, Jordan Lake, Taylor Grimm and Lauren McCumber.

This will be Lake’s return to athletics since a car accident last fall.

“From what happened to her in her life and her to be able to play softball, which she loves, it’s an amazing thing,” Cole said. “She went through a lot.”

Knizacky, though, is the only returning starter.

The team brings in several new players and Cole said he’s still setting on who will be the player on the pitching rubber.

“Tammy Campbell is (probably) my No. 1 pitch-

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Mason County Eastern softball team are, from left, sitting, Madisyn McCormick, Jordan Lake, Emily Knizacky and Dejna Babcock; kneeling, Tammy Campbell, Ashlee Purple and Taylor Grimm; standing, coach Bill Cole, Ryann Oomen, Daly Narmore, Brooke Lee, Zwewssa Cregg and Ambriel Peters. Not pictured: Megan McCormick, Lauren McCumber and Sigrid Kjeldgaard. er, but she’s never thrown a varsity game,” he said.

“Meaghan McCormick and Emily Knizacky will be there as backups. . . Madison is a freshman. She does OK, and she’s working on speed and control. Emily worked all summer to be a pitcher and

she actually throws pretty good.”

Like all the other teams in the area, the confines of the gym have been the home of the spring teams. Eastern at times has gotten out into the parking lot, but beyond that, not much else has

happened. Cole expects the team to find its way when the weather breaks and the Western Michigan D League race gets underway.

“We’ll make young team mistakes. The kids are smart enough,” he said. “They’ve been through a couple of pro-

grams that struggled with the win aspect and they want to win. And, I want to win.”

Cole continues to set his sights on league titles, too.

He also knows it won’t be easy, either. “(Manistee) Catholic last year was pretty good. If we

could have beat them twice, we wouldn’t have shared the title. Onekama did a nice job last year,” Cole said. “Bear Lake has girl who can throw hard. . . Brethren is a decent program, too. There’s a bunch of teams that we have to be ready to play.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

Mason County Eastern golf

Eastern shoots for best play in May

BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR

Mason County Eastern’s golf team will be young and inexperienced this season with just one returning player back from last year.

Ian Rutledge, a junior, is the sole returning player from last year’s team. The Cardinals will bring in two players who decided to rejoin the team after a year’s hiatus — Sarah Hartley and Devon Harvey — and a pair of freshmen, Jonah Howell and Sanford Narmore.

Eastern coach Tod Howell would love to have a few more join the team, but exactly when they’ll play is an entirely different matter altogether.

“We’ve been putting in the hallway. . . There’s not a whole to do if the courses aren’t open. I’ll be greatly surprised if the courses are open before May 1,” Howell said. “I haven’t talked to anyone to verify it, but when I look outside and see snow on the ground, there’s not a whole lot you can do.”

The Cardinals may look into using the indoor video driving range above Sportsman’s in Ludington to help prepare for the season. And, where there are patches of grass starting to take hold, Eastern work on chipping and other short iron work.

“I told the kids to bring pitching wedges,” Howell said during the preseason.

“We’ll find some spots, and do some short-game work.

Otherwise, there’s not a whole lot to do now.”

The schedule was already

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Mason County Eastern golf team are, from left, coach Tod Howell, Sarah Hartley, Sanford Narmore, Jonah Hawell, Ian Rutledge. Not pictured: Devon Harvey. completely changed because of the long thaw from winter.

Rutledge and Harvey figure to be the leaders of the team on the scoreboard. Rutledge played well last season for the Cardinals. Tod Howell’s son, Jonah, can play well, too, but the elder Howell said the game is only

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part of the interest his son shares.

“We’ll be OK. It’s a matter of getting out there and start playing,” Tod Howell said.

“We’re going to be young and inexperienced. It’ll be a learning year for us.”

Because of the inexperience that Eastern has, he

doesn’t expect the Cardinals to be challenging the likes of Pentwater, Manistee Catholic, Bear Lake or Onekama for the Western Michigan D League championship. Rather, progress toward the end

of the season and enjoying the game beyond this short spring season are Howell’s goals.

“We’ll do the best we can to improve as the season goes along,” Howell said.

“And I’d like to get at least some kids that can shoot in the 40s. Then I’ll be really happy. That’s the year-end goal. If three kids out of the five shoot in the 40s, I’ll be thrilled.”

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

| THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Mason County Eastern girls soccer

MCE has good mix for 2014

BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR Mason County Eastern’s girls soccer team will have an even blend of experience and newcomers when it comes to the pitch this spring.

The Cardinals will roster 16 players for this season, with eight returning players.

“There’s six new freshmen and a couple of foreign exchange students,” Eastern coach Dee McCumber said.

“I’ve got one girl triple-sporting and six girls doublesporting. It’s going to be a crazy season.”

Because of Eastern’s small size, some of the student-athletes compete in not just one single season but a handful. The school offers softball and track as well as soccer for girls in the spring.

The team will return athletes such as Anna Buswinka, Lauren McCumber, Elizabeth Bentley, Ryann Oomen, Marissa Kist and Emily Knizacky. Dani Schultz, who suffered an injury during the basketball season, may be out for the entire spring.

“She wants to play really bad,” Dee McCumber said.

“I know she’s got to have surgery. It depends on what happens afterwards.”

That leaves the newcomers with varying degrees of experience.

“I’ve probably got one or two that have never played before, but they’re learning really fast,” McCumber said. “The other four that are coming in are AYSO kids.

They’ve played since they were little.”

Last season, the Cardi-

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Members of the 2004 Mason County Eastern girls soccer team are, from left, sitting, Lily Rolston-Heitz and Elizabeth Bentley; kneeling, Danielle VanHeck, Veronica Baldi, Ambriel Peters and Alysha Watkins; standing, standing, assistant Russell Bentley, Ryann Oomen, Daly Narmore, Birgitte Kasin, Breanna Kist, Kaitlyn Maciag, Taylor Grimm and Emily Knizacky. Not pictured: coach Dee McCumber, Lauren McCumber, Anna Buswinka and Marissa Kist. nals went 6-4-4 overall.

Eastern will welcome some tough competition, including playing Mason County Central for a traveling trophy again this spring. But the Cardinals will also welcome in another soccerplaying school in the Western Michigan D League, the

co-op of Brethren and Bear Lake.

Brethren/Bear Lake, Pentwater and Eastern will head to Big Rapids Crossroads later this month for a oneday conference tournament.

“I’m very excited. I love Crossroads’ field,” McCum-

ber said. “The more schools that we get to play soccer, the better. We’ll go anywhere and play anybody.

I don’t care if they have to co-op, we want more soccer teams, more chances to play. It’s hard to find the schools in our division that play.”

Eastern is playing the likes of Leland and Fruitport Calvary Christian in nonconference games as well to help get the number of scheduled games increased.

Remember, though, that’s scheduled because the spring took some time to take hold.

McCumber believes her team will be strong this season, and she likes its chances.

“We’re a young building team, half and half on returning players,” she said.

“The new ones that are coming up that are going to be good strong athletes.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the Mason County Eastern baseball are, from left, kneeling, Sanford Narmore, Joe Mickevich, Conor Porter, manager Kyle Lee, Fischer Spencer, Josh Pomorski, Daniel Busch and Cal Lundquist; standing, Mason Saya, Alex Oomen, Abe Shoup, Ben Cossette, Justice Gilchrist, Jimmy Appledorn, Travis McCormick, Michael Matzen, Johnathan Stewart and coach Dan Hanson. Not pictured: Gregory Bender and Cain Stone.

Mason County Eastern baseball

Defense behind pitching will be critical for Eastern 9

BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR Defense will be the key for Mason County Eastern’s baseball team this spring.

The Cardinals go into the 2014 season with six returning players from last year’s team out of a roster of 18.

And the players that suit up and play will be looking to back up the pitching in the field as best as they can.

“With us, we don’t have a per se dominant arm,” Eastern coach Dan Hanson said.

“We have guys who will pitch to contact. They’re hittable.

How well we field the ball behind them will determine

where we’ll go.”

Jimmy Appledorn, Michael Matzen, Justice Gilchrist and Travis McCormick are all returning players from last year who will be called upon to pitch. Gilchrist was tabbed as the No. 1 pitcher

by Hanson with McCormick possibly being the No. 2.

Appledorn will also play at first base and McCormick will catch. Gilchrist will also play in the middle infield, either at shortstop or second base.

Conor Porter also is a returning player and will be looking to fill a position either at second or third base as well was in one of the corner outfield spots.

The means the balance of the roster, 12 players, are newcomers.

Eastern’s roster: SENIORS: Michael Matzen, Justice Gilchrist, Jimmy Appledorn and Calbert Lundquist.

JUNIORS: Jonathan Stewart, Cain Stone and Travis McCormick.

SOPHOMORES: Josh Pomorski, Conor Porter and Greg Bender.

FRESHMEN: Joey Mickevich, Daniel Busch, Mason Saya, Sanford Narmore, Alex Oomen, Ben Cossette, Fischer Spencer and Abe Shoup.

The key to the 2014 season is the number of fresh-

men that are out for the sport, eight.

“That’s something we’ve needed and what we haven’t had in a while,” Hanson said.

“Three or four of them will play and play a lot.”

Hanson said the team has four different players as prospective third basemen and the outfield was a question mark as the spring break was coming to a close. The team had 11 practices leading up to the break, but all of those were indoors.

The team worked on the fundamentals of the game during its practices, something that most need as their baseline knowledge and play

in the game is fairly limited for the most part. “l only have two boys that played summer ball,” Hanson said. “A lot of imes, we’re starting from the ground back up. It’s just a return to the basic fundamentals. Hopefully that will transfer to the field when we get there.”

Hanson pegged the schools to the north — Brethren, Bear Lake and Manistee Catholic — as the ones to beat in the Western Michigan D League this season. Onekama will be tough, too.

“If I had to guess and pick us, I’d say we’d be some-

where in the middle,” he said. “Hopefully better.”

What is good for the Cardinals is the team’s overall attitude. They want to wipe away a tough season from a year ago and compete better.

And they want to be in the hunt for a district title if not for a league title.

“A lot of those boys are back and worked harder.

They don’t want to see a repeat of how we played last year,” Hanson said. “I do believe, like a lot of years, we’ll start out a little slower. By the end of the year, we’ll be playing much better. A lot of times, that’s the one that matters.”

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

| THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Mason County Eastern track

Cardinals look for individual successes on track

BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR Mason County Eastern’s track teams are small in numbers again this spring, both for the boys and the girls, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t several athletes who will be knocking on the door of the MHSAA state meet next month.

The boys track team has nine kids out, including four who are returning from last season. The girls team has three returning members from last season for the team that has seven on the roster.

For the boys team, Jimmy Appledorn, Hunter Hofmann, Cody Smith and Brent Swain all return from last year’s team. Appledorn will compete again in the throwing field events and run some long distance relays for the Cardinals. Hofmann excelled in the pole vault last season, including qualifying for the Meijer Meet of Champions in Muskegon. Smith ran middle and long distance last season and Swain will be relied upon to compete in the hurdles events and some relays.

The Cardinals add a handful of new runners to the team this spring. Preston Kelley will run sprints, middle distance and some relays, a contrast from his fall where he qualified for the MHSAA state cross country meet.

Abe Shoup will try the pole vault as well as run middle and long distance. Dustin Pickard will run long distance, too. The team adds two foreign exchange students, too: Fedderico Ferri and Arttu Pierinen. Ferri will run long distance and Pierinen is being groomed for the sprints and some relays.

The relays will be the key for the boys team, according to Mason County Eastern

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Mason County Eastern coed track teams are, from left, sitting, Veronica Baldi, Kaitlyn Maciag, Ryann Oomen, Jordan Goodman and Lily RolstonHeitz; standing, Dustin Pickard, Hunter Hofmann, Arttu Pierinen, Abe Shoup, Jimmy Appledorn, Fedderico Ferri, Brent Swain and Preston Kelley. Not pictured: Cody Smith, Megan McCormick and Lauren McCumber. coach Ben Knizacky.

“I don’t know how competitve we will be in the sprints, but we should be able to throw a pretty decent sprint relay,” he said. “We should develop into a pretty decent sprint relay. Individually, I’m not sure how they will do.”

Knizacky believes Appledorn and Hofmann can find their way to the state meet the final day of May. “Obviously, I have expectations of Hunter winning the pole vault (at the conference

meet) and expectations of him qualifying for state,” he said. “He just missed out last year. Likewise for Jimmy, he missed out on both (the shot put and discus). He was close in both of those events.”

The girls team will return three athletes from last season: Ryan Oomen, Lily Rolston-Heitz and Lauren McCumber. Oomen will again compete in the pole vault and she’s looking forward to running the 100-meter hurdles. Rolston-Heitz also pole vaulted last spring

and will do that as well as run some relays. McCumber, who hurdled last spring, will be limited to relays for the most part this spring.

Eastern’s roster is balanced out by a trio of freshmen — Kailtyn Maciag, Jordan Goodman and Meagan McCormick — and foreign exchange student Veronica Baldi.

Maciag is slated to run hurdles and relays for the Cardinals, something she excelled in during her time as an eighth grader. Good-

man also will run in the 300-meter hurdles and some sprints. She may also run some middle distance. McCormick will run middle and long distance and likely a leg of the 3,200-meter relay. Baldi will run some middle distance and relays.

“We’ve got some girls who could do well,” Knizacky said.

“Both Ryann and Lily tied one spot out from going to state last year in the pole vault.

Meagan McCormick is quite capable of qualifying in the longer distance runs. She’s ex-

tremely competitive.”

Both of Eastern’s teams are heading to a different regional, though. This year, instead of competing against schools from the northeast lower peninsula, which included the likes of conference foe Bear Lake and Traverse City St. Francis, the Cardinals are headed to Saugatuck.

“It’ll be nice to be away from Bear Lake and St. Francis,” Knizacky said. “I know there will be some competitive teams down there.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

Mason County Eastern schedules BOYS GOLF Thurs., April 10, Manistee, McBain NMC, 4:30 p.m.

Tues., April 15, WMD jamboree at Brethren/Bear Lake, 4 p.m.

Thurs., April 17, at Onekama Tues., April 22, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m.

Tues., April 29, WMD jamboree at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Wed., May 7, WMD jamboree at Brethren/Bear Lake, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 8, WMD scramble at Brethren/Bear Lake, 4 p.m.

Tues., May 13, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m.

Wed., May 14, WMD tournament at Pentwater, 1 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER Sat., April 12, at Benzie Central, 10 a.m.

Thurs., April 17, at Leland, 5 p.m.

Wed., April 23, at Pentwater, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., April 25, at Hart, 4:30 p.m.

Sat., April 26, WMD tournament at Big Rapids Crossroads Tues., April 29, McBain NMC, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., May 2, at Brethren/Bear Lake, 5 p.m.

Tues., May 6, Brethren/Bear Lake, 5 p.m.

Tues., May 13, Pentwater, 5 p.m.

Fri., May 16, MCC, 4:30 p.m.

Tues., May 20, at Manistee, 5 p.m.

Sat., May 24, at Fruitport Calvary Christian

COED TRACK Fri., April 11, at Onekama invite, 2 p.m.

Tues., April 15, at McBain invite, 4 p.m.

Wed., April 16, WMD jamboree at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Thurs., Apirl 17, at Mesick invite, 4 p.m.

Wed., April 23, WMD jamboree at Brethren, 4 p.m.

Wed., April 30, WMD jamboree at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Sat., May 3, at Brethren invite Wed., May 7, WMD championship meet, 4 p.m.

Fri., May 9, at Manton Invita-

tional, 3 p.m.

BASEBALL Fri., April 11, at Ludington, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 14, at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Tues., April 15, McBain NMC, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., April 17, at MCC, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 21, Pentwater, 4 p.m.

Thurs., April 24, Baldwin, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 28, Walkerville, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 1, at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Sat., May 3, at Briggs True Value Invitational at Mason County Central, 9 a.m.

Mon., May 5, at Manistee Catholic, 4:30 p.m.

Wed., May 7, at White Cloud, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 8, Manistee, 4:30 p.m.

Mon., May 12, at BRCCCA, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., May 15, Brethren, 4:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL Fri., April 11, at Ludington, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 14, at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Tues., April 15, Marion, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., April 17, at MCC, 4 p.m.

Sat., April 19, at Frankfort Invitational, 10 a.m.

Thurs., April 24, Baldwin, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 28, Bear Lake, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 1, at Onekama, 4:30 p.m.

Sat., May 3, at Briggs True Value Invitational at Mason County Central, 9 a.m.

Mon., May 5, at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Wed., May 7, at White Cloud, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 8, Manistee, 4:30 p.m.

Mon., May 12, at BRCCA, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., May 15, Brethren, 4:30 p.m.

Sat., May 17, at North Muskegon Invitational, 10 a.m.

Pentwater schedules

Manistee Catholic schedules

COED TRACK

BASEBALL

BASEBALL

COED TRACK

Wed., April 9, at Mason County Eastern Relays, 4 p.m.

Wed., April 23, WMD jamboree at Brethren, 4 p.m.

Wed., April 30, WMD jamboree at MCE, 4 p.m.

Wed., May 7, WMD meet at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Wed., May 21, WMD meet at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Thurs., April 10, McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 4 p.m.

Thurs., April 17, at Manistee, 4 p.m.

Thurs., April 24, at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Fri., April 25, Holland Calvary Christian, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 28, Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 1, Baldwin, 4:30 p.m.

Mon., May 5, Walkerville, 4 p.m.

Thurs., May 8, at Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m.

Mon., May 12, at Brethren, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., May 15, at Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 10, at Lake Leelanau St. Mary, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16, Onekama, 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 24, Brethren, 4 p.m.

Monday, April 28, at Pentwater, 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 1, Big Rapids Crossroads, 4 p.m.

Monday, May 5, Mason County Eastern, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 10, at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 1 p.m.

Monday, May 12, at Onekama, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 22, at Buckley, 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23, WMD jamboree at Brethren, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 30, WMD jamboree at Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 7, WMD meet at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14, WMD meet at Onekama, 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER Wed., April 9, Mason County Eastern, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., April 11, at Manistee, 5 p.m.

Tues., April 15, Bear Lake/ Brethren, 5 p.m.

Wed., April 16, Mason County Central, 4:30 p.m.

Fri., April 18, at Holland Calvary Christian, 5 p.m.

Tues., April 22, at Bear Lake/ Brethren, 5 p.m.

Wed., April 23, Mason County Eastern, 4:30 p.m.

Sat., April 26, WMD tournament at Big Rapids Crossroads Tues., April 29, Big Rapids Crossroads, 5 p.m.

Fri., May 2, at Hart, 4:30 p.m.

Wed., May 7, at Montague, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., May 8, McBain Northern Michigan Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Tues., May 13, at Mason County Eastern, 5 p.m.

Mon., May 19, Manistee, 5 p.m.

Wed., May 21, at Newaygo, 4:30 p.m.

BOYS GOLF Wed., April 23, WMD jamboree, 4 p.m.

Tues., April 29, WMD jamboree at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Wed., April 30, Oceana County Tournament at The Colonial, 3:30 p.m.

Tues., May 6, WMD jamboree at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Tues., May 13, WMD jamboree at Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m.

Wed., May 14, WMD tournament, 1 p.m.

SOFTBALL Thursday, April 10, at Lake Leelanau St. Mary, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16, Onekama, 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 24, Brethren, 4 p.m.

Thursday, May 1, Big Rapids Crossroads, 4:30 p.m.

Monday, May 5, Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m.

Monday, May 12, at Onekama, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 22, at Buckley, 4:30 p.m.

BOYS GOLF Tuesday, April 29, WMD jamboree at Manistee Catholic, 4 p.m.

Tuesay, May 6, WMD jamboree at Onekama, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 7, WMD jamboree at Brethren/Bear Lake, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13, WMD jamboree at Mason County Eastern, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14, WMD tournament at Pentwater, 1 p.m.

Monday, May 19, at Onekama with Manton, Mesick, 4 p.m.

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

| THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Manistee Catholic softball team are, from left, front row, Alexis Miller, Alysha Heck and Amber Robke; back row, Jodi Janowiak, Kaytlin Heck, Paige Picardat, Shelby Papes, Elizabeth Nelson and Johnna Hansen. Not pictured: Selena Loredo, Molly McLinden, Jenna Kempf, Maegan Sorenson, Courtney Sorenson, Hannah Janicki, Elizabeth Silvka, Devon Edmondson and Autumn Carter.

Manistee Catholic softball McLinden in charge of Sabers

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — There’s a wealth of experience returning for Manistee Catholic’s softball team on the diamond.

In the dugout, though, it’s a slightly different story. Everett McLinden, who graduated from the school in 1993, takes over for Dave Lijewski this spring.

And he’ll be taking over a

team that split the Western Michigan D League title with Onekama.

McLinden played baseball in high school and continued to play slowpitch softball. His coaching experience comes from the junior varsity volleyball team last fall.

But he’s raring to go.

“It was an opening for a sport that I really, truly like,” McLinden said of the softball position. “It’s a good set

of girls that I coached over the volleyball season. These girls are hard workers, and I figured step up and participate in part of this.

McLinden’s task is made a little easier with four of the five seniors returning starters, leaving him with only a few positions to fill. Everyone on the roster has some experience, including the freshmen.

SEE SOFTBALL, 12

Right Under the Water Towerr

Skipski coaching thinclads

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

has presented unique challenges, and a lack of work in the field events, the Sabers MANISTEE — Kevin Skip- have been working on handski said being able to coach offs in the relays. The Sabers any sport at Manistee Catho- have been doing a lot of runlic Central is a “dream come ning. true,” and he’s excited to be From what he’s seen taking over the Sabers’ girls watching the athletes trainand boys track and field ing prior to spring break, program.

Skipski has hopes of many Although training indoors of them qualifying for the

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state meet, particularly in the running events, where the Sabers are the strongest.

Senior veterans Alysha Heck and Alexis Miller are the Sabers’ best hopes in the sprints and sprint relays, while sophomores Kayltin Heck and Paige Picardat provide depth in all of the running events.

SEE SABERS, 12

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GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Manistee Catholic track team are, from left, front row, Alysa Heck, Alexis Miller, Michaela Peterson, Jenny Pieczynski and Megan Gunia; back row, assistant Heather Skipski, Jeremy Bigalke, Mason Calleson, Alex Carter and coach Kevin Skipski. Not pictured: Jason Kaminski, Molly McLinden, Selena Loredo and Jenna Kempf.

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231-398-0431 1117 28th St.

231-723-3400 Manistee, MI 49660

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

Dunphy takes over Sabers golf

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

GREG GIELCZYK | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Manistee Catholic Central baseball team are, from left, first row, Thomas Korolenko, Nathan Fortier, Michael Diesing, Blake Robke, Jordan Kuenzer, Mason Clark, Robert Sewell and Zach Wood; back row, coach Dave Ranville, Ben Feliczak, Chad Robke, James Bialik, Ryan Hansen and Alex Carter. Not pictured : Jason Kaminski, Nick Bialik and assistant Jeff Janowiak.

Manistee Catholic baseball

Sabers have speed, good hitting

BY GREG GIELCZYK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER MANISTEE — “We can’t tell too much (because) we haven’t been outside yet, but what I have seen so far is actually better than I thought,” Manistee Catholic Central boys baseball coach Dave Ranville said. “We have some guys that can hit, and we have some more speed this year than we had last year.”

Ranville will be able to tell better once the Sabers finally get outside, and he’s hoping they can do that before they have to play their first game. “If not, we’ll be the best whiffle ball team in the state,” he joked. “But, I think we’re going to be okay.”

Two key people coming back are seniors Ben Feliczak and Mason Clark, both of whom were Western Michigan D League all-conference selections a year ago. Ranville expects them to be team leaders again.

Pitching should be a strength with the return of senior Robert Sewell and junior Nathan Fortier, and Ranville has been pleasantly surprised with some of the younger guys who came out for the team this year that have shown great promise during indoor drills.

“Some of them are running track and some of them are doing other things, but I don’t think we’re in bad shape,” Ranville added.

“We have a few more people than we had last year, total wise, and that’s a good sign.”

At this point, Clark has been penciled in for the No. 1 pitching spot with Sewell scheduled to start second and then Feliczak third in the rotation. Beyond that, Ranville will probably use a committee out of the bullpen.

The Sabers lost their leadoff man from a year ago, Justin Feliczak, who blew out his knee playing foot-

ball last fall. Feliczak did extremely well hitting the ball as a freshman and the team will miss his presence at the top of the batting order.

Feliczak was also the team’s starting third baseman, where his excellent glove work at the hot corner solidified the infield. The Sabers also lost a big bat when starting first baseman Andrew Perry graduated.

“Yes, there are a few positions where we’ll have to do some floating around on, but that happens every year,” Ranville said. “That’s the name of the game, so that’s what we’ll do. Everyone deals with it.”

Manistee Catholic’s roster: SENIORS: Mason Clark, Robert Sewell, Ben Feliczak, James Bialik, Ryan Hansen, Alex Carter and Jason Kaminski; JUNIORS: Nathan Fortier; SOPHOMORES: Michael Diesing, Blake Robke, Jordan Kuenzer, Zach Wood, Chad

Robke; FRESHMEN: Nick Bialik.

Ranville has liked what he’s seen from some of the freshmen.

“Nick Bialik is a freshman, but he’s got real good mechanics,” Ranville said. “I like what he’s doing. Jordan Kuenzer and (senior) Alex Carter are new guys that actually have shown some promise.

Ranville predicts another balanced competition in the Western Michigan D League this season, with Brethren probably one of the teams to beat along with an improved Pentwater squad and Walkerville. Mason County Eastern and Onekama could pull off some upsets.

Being competitive in the conference is clearly the Sabers’ top priority, but getting ready for the district tournament ranks right up there. Frankfort has dominated in recent years.

MANISTEE — Mark Dunphy faces a couple of challenges replacing Pete Solwold as the Manistee Catholic Central golf coach, and both of them are daunting. For one, Solwold was a legend in leading the Sabers to the state finals on numerous occasions.

For another, his first team is a small and young one that hasn’t been tested in varsity competition that may not even be able to practice before playing its first match because of the lingering winter keeping them penned up indoors.

But he prepares to tackle the job with a positive and enthusiastic approach, as well as the moral support of Jake Charete, whom he prefers to consider a co-coach rather than an assistant with the same authority although the two will discuss strategy before talking with the players.

“Pete’s been wonderful at giving us an idea of what he’s done, and what he’s been successful with,” Dunphy said.

“Obviously, he’s not overshadowing, but he’s certainly there for any questions we have. Once Mother Nature cooperates with us, we’re looking forward to getting out there, playing some golf and seeing where the kids are, and where they line up.”

Dunphy’s previous coaching experience consists of helping out in youth hockey.

He’s never been a head coach, nor has he coached a high school golf team before.

But he’s excited for the opportunity to maintain the high level of excellence the Sabers have established even in the years when they’ve had small numbers as they do this year with two juniors, two freshmen and two eighth graders.

Joe Nelson and Renee Sey-

mour are the juniors, Nick Bialik and Jacob McComb are the freshmen while the eighth graders are Barry Seymour and Nick Hansen. Although at least two or three of them were in some matches last year, none have a lot of varsity experience.

Although the students were on spring break the first week of April, Dunphy hoped that his players get in some rounds of golf since most of them went south where the weather is more conducive — at least, most of the time — to getting out on a golf course and swinging the clubs.

Unfortunately, the coaches didn’t have an opportunity to get together with their whole team because a third of the players were in Washington the week prior to spring break. In fairness, all of the spring coaches were missing players for the same reason.

Then, everybody took a week off with so few athletes and their families staying in town over break.

Once they return, Dunphy and Charete have talked about getting some Nerf golf balls, getting the players in the gym and having them swinging clubs so they can start becoming comfortable with their body motion until they get outside.

Dunphy said the players are excited about the season, and understand that they can’t control the weather, which is unpredictable and all too frequently unpleasant during the spring. The long range forecast calls for a particularly cold one, too, so the coaches have encouraged the players to make sure they have enough warm clothing to wear out on the course.

“We’re looking forward to gettting started, feeling our way, see where our strengths are and what we have to work on,” Dunphy said.

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

| THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Pentwater baseball

New spots in store for Falcons

BY THE DAILY NEWS Pentwater’s baseball team will have some experience for the 2014 season, which is great considering it picked up a district trophy last season.

But, there’s a catch.

“We have experienced players, but several will be playing different positions,” Pentwater coach Rick Magrath said. “Nick (Anscombe) is our most experienced pitcher, and then we’re looking at several others: Alex (Wagner), who has some experience and Chance (Helms), Joey (Thrailkill), Sam (Wagner).

“We are replacing much of the infield positions, shifting the outfield a bit, and all this with no field. I hope we can hold our own. They are all good athletes, and I think we’ll adjust, we just need to get on a field to see.”

The Falcons lost several key players from last year’s district titlists, including pitcher/shortstop Cody Anscombe, second baseman Hunter Ruggles, pitcher/shortstop Drew Sherston and first baseman Erik Wallstrom.

“We have to replace (guys) right up the middle and (at) first base,” Magrath said.

“That will involve moving some guys to new positions. . . That’s difficult to do from the gym.”

Snow and ice have held up some of the solutions Magrath has in store for his problems, just like all the other teams in the area.

But, he’s encouraged by the returning players who are ready to take the field, especially the seniors.

Alex Wagner will fill in at shortstop when he’s not

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the Pentwater baseball team are, kneeling, from left, Jacob Whitford, Caleb Glover, Billy Sproul, Sam Wagner and Nicholas Ascombe; standing, assistant Jack Stinebaugh, Joey Thrailkill, Jared Visger, Chance Helms, Alex Wagner and coach Rick MacGrath. pitching and Helms will work over at first base.

Thrailkill will help to direct the staff from behind the plate and he can play some infield, too. Anscombe will

split time at catcher with Thrailkill. Sam Wagner will be in centerfield when he’s not on the mound.

Also back are third baseman Nathan Nowsch and

catcher/right fielder Jacob Whitford.

Magrath said the number of players out this season is lower, but he’s glad to get to coach the team. It’s just a

matter of when as the snow and ice slowly melts away for spring.

“I suspect we’ll just be playing conference by the time the season gets go-

ing,” he said. “Brethren is always tough. Onekama, Mason County Eastern and Manistee Catholic are always solid.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

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| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

Pentwater girls soccer

Gowell takes over Falcons soccer

BY DAVID BOSSICK DAILY NEWS SPORTS EDITOR

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the 2014 Pentwater girls soccer team are, from left, sitting, Kylee Patterson-Skuse, Haley Smith and Desirae Conronaede; kneeling, Jaclyn Vareld, Raven Bretschneider, Zoe Lewandowski and Taylor Wilkinson; back row, coach Victor Gowell, manager Jordan Lucas, Chelsie Thaler, Gia Burn, Liliana Rodriguez, Anna Hofman and assistant Dan Nugent.

PENTWATER — After a few years of guiding the boys soccer program, Victor Gowell is adding the girls team to his coaching duties this spring at Pentwater.

“I’m ready to learn a lot from it. We’ll see what it holds,” he said.

Gowell takes over for Dan Nugent, who will step into an assistant’s role after being the team’s head coach last spring.

Before spring break, the Falcons had 11 players on their roster, enough to field a team. Gowell would like to see the team add a few more girls to the roster so a rotation on and off the field for rest can be done.

The Falcons return a handful of girls from the team from last year. Back from last year are Ja-

clyn Vareld, Zoe Lewandowski, Liliana Rodriguez, Chelsie Thaler and Anna Hofmann.

But overall, the team again this year is extremely young.

“We have one senior returning and one junior as well. They both possess good leadership qualities which you need for younger players to be around,” Gowell said. “At the same time, I’ve got a bunch of eighth and ninth graders who want to run, run, run and want to work all of the time. They’re willing to learn.

“The numbers aren’t where we’d like them, but the bodies we do have are willing to work hard. They haven’t complained too much.”

The team has used both of the school’s gyms, a smaller one and the one used for varsity events SEE SOCCER, 12

Pentwater track

Falcons few in numbers again

BY THE DAILY NEWS The Pentwater track and field teams are again with low numbers, but most know what to do this season along with co-coaching vets Jill Soper and Erika Fatura.

Soper and Fatura are returning to coaching after each started a family.

“We are both impressed with the dedication of our team so far this year and look forward to a great season,” Fatura said.

Back for this season are several kids: Dayton Gibson,

Blake Johnson, Jared Visger, Sophia Nyberg, Jeremiah McClellan, Gabe McClellan, Michael Naughton and Verily McClellan.

Both Nyberg and Verily McClellan will be looked to lead the team, especially from the distance events, considering a major loss from last year’s team.

“Losing Valory McClellan as a distance runner will be one of our biggest holes to fill,” Fatura said. “She was JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS not only a good runner, but Members of the 2014 Pentwater coed track teams are, from left, kneeling, Jacob Quinn, Sophia Nyberg, Verily McClellan, Gabe SEE TRACK, 12

McClellan and Jeremiah McClellan; standing, coach Erika Fatura, Dayton Gibson, Dylan Rafter, Blake Johnson, Jared Visgar, Michael Naughton and coach Jill Soper. Not pictured: Damon Martz, Jan Loyen.

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LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS

| THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

SOCCER: Gowell in charge FROM PAGE 11

JEFF KIESSEL | DAILY NEWS

Members of the Pentwater golf team are, from left, coach Mike LaHaye, Jacob Whitford, Nicholas Anscombe, Sam Wagner, Alex Wagner, Chance Helms, Linnea McDonough and coach Michael DeRuiter. Not pictured: Derek Malburg and Asher Knoble.

Pentwater golf

Falcons loaded for ’14

BY THE DAILY NEWS

place,” Pentwater coach Michael DeRuiter said.

Alex Wagner, Chance Helms and Derek Malburg are those seniors and the fourth key returnee is Sam Wagner. The Falcons will need to replace Erik Wallstrom, who was a major component to last year’s run in the state tournament.

Competing for the fifth spot will be Linnea McDonough, Asher Knoble, Nick Anscombe and Jacob Whitford.

“I have a fantastic group and blend of players both upper classmen and under classmen,” DeRuiter said.

“As a coach, this is awesome to see, as you know Pentwater is here to stay in golf.”

That’s exactly where the expectations are for Pentwater’s team: high. It’s not only the case with all of the returning golfers from last season, but the program has built itself into one of the better ones in the area in Division 4.

Shelby Papes all pitched last year and McLinden wants to work a couple of others FROM PAGE 8 into the rotation this year in preparation for when Robke The top three seniors and Heck graduate. Papes coming back are Alysha will probably take the lead Heck, Alexis Miller and Am- role next year, but McLinden ber Robke. needs to find a second and Alysha Heck, Robke and third pitcher.

Like any coach, he is keeping an eye on next year while not losing sight of this season’s goals.

“When you’re going to lose five good, solid seniors you have to be prepared,” McLinden said.

But he’s not ignoring this season.

Pentwater’s boys golf team looks nearly as strong as ever after last season’s MHSAA Division 4 regional championship and a sixth place finish in the state tournament.

Four of Pentwater’s top five golfers return from last year’s team and that leads to lofty expectations.

“This year, I have three seniors that I know what to improve on last year’s

SOFTBALL

“They are eager to improve, they listen, and they try hard. That is key to keep Pentwater on the map for golf,” he said. “I have had players indicate to me they want to get back to the state finals and improve on their sixth place finish last year.

Maybe even get lucky and pull a title. “(It) should be a fun run for us this year. They got a taste for a state (tournament) and now they have something to work hard for.”

SABERS

in the fall and winter, to practice. Gowell was anxious to get outside before the break, and he believes the switch to outside once the fields are playable will be good for his girls.

“Once we do get outside to an open space, it’ll seem a little slow to them,” he said.

“That’ll work in to our advantage because we’ve been practicing in a small gym and you have to make quick decisions.

Like last spring, and in Gowell’s case, in the fall with the boys, the schedule has a few tougher opponents including some Division 3 schools like Mason County Central, Montague and Newaygo. Having those nonconference schools against bigger schools will help Pentwater in the long run.

“It always helps, even if you don’t win them all,” he said. “It gets you ready for a higher level of competition. .

. We started to do that with the boys the last couple of years.”

Last year, there were just three schools from the Western Michigan D League that sponsored girls soccer. Bear Lake and Brethren will form a co-op to play soccer this spring, pushing the total of schools to four. That also includes Big Rapids Crossroads and a co-op between Mason County Eastern and Manistee Catholic.

The four schools will head to Crossroads in late April to play in a one-day conference tournament.

“That’s really cool. I was excited when I heard that because it’s new faces and a new program,” Gowell said. “It’s people we haven’t played against before. It’s exciting because it gets us out more.”

A handful of Pentwater’s first few games were cancelled because of the snow and ice melt.

TRACK: Numbers few FROM PAGE 11

a great leader for the team.

Her sister, Verily, along with Sophia will be our female distance runners this year.”

The team will add just a handful of athletes: Dylan Rafter, Jan Loyen, Jake Quinn and Damon Martz.

With such small numbers,

be contenders. Getting the program rejuvenated, and getting people interested in FROM PAGE 8 track again is going to be a chore.

“We’re going to definitely “So far, the kids have been make a run at some of these great about it. Hopefully, we events,” Skipski said. “We set a standard that will be have some really fast kids followed in the years ahead that are definitely going to and they continue to have

the focus for the Falcons won’t necessarily be on how the team fares in meets and invitationals.

“We are really going to focus on personal records and making improvements within our team,” Fatura said.

“We are also going to set our sights on breaking a school record this season.”

track. As long as the interest is there, and kids want to compete we’ll have something.”

A few athletes have expressed interest in running the hurdles, but Skipski hasn’t been able to see what they can do because of long spring thaw.