Spring sports tab #2

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Ludington Daily News • Friday, April 11, 2014

Spring Sports1

Spring Sports1

Your guide toMCC’s and Hart’s

upcoming sports seasons,featuring stories, team photos

and schedules

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2 | LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS | FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014

Mason County Central boys track

Spartans in line for great seasonBY ED PAPESDAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central boys track and field team was outstand-ing in 2013. The Spartans took runner-up at the MH-SAA Division 3 state meet, won their regional meet and finished second in the West Michigan Conference behind Whitehall.

Leading the way last spring was their distance running standout Chase Barnett, who has committed to run for the University of Michigan next year, and a corps of fine mid-dle distance and distance runners.

Barnett is back, nearly ful-ly recovered from a stress fracture in his foot. So are sophomore Zac Benham, ju-

nior Drew Griffis and senior Austin Persoon.

Those four will form the new nucleus of runners who will look to lead Central to another stellar campaign.

“We did lose a lot from last year, especially some guys that were key in our two long relays,” said Central head coach Scott Briggs, who starts his seventh season as the Spartans leader. “We will be looking for a couple other guys to step up and be ready to run in those relays.”

Gone by way of graduation are middle distance runners Alex Myers, Jordan Johnson and Riley Jolly. Also gone is middle distance runner Travess Smith, who moved to Hart. Others lost to grad-uation include hurdler Dain Petipren and shotputter

Beto Ramirez.“We do have a lot of opti-

mism about what we might be able to do this season,” said Briggs. “But I’d rather not focus on the goal of a state championship. Rather, I would like to see us work hard and see where that takes us. There are a lot of factors we cannot control in the outcome of a state meet.”

Barnett, now a senior, won the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at the con-ference meet last May. He went on to place first in the 800 and 1,600 as well as run on the winning 3,200 relay at the Division 3 state meet at Comstock Park.

Benham, meanwhile, was second in the 3,200 at the conference meet and placed

eighth in the event at the state meet. In addition, Griffis ran second in the 800 at the WMC final.

Central also expects help this year from senior throw-ers James Goodrich and Doug Wyman. Senior long jumper Dalton Shoemate and senior pole vaulter Trever Skinner should also help in the conference dual meets.

Juniors Nate Strejcek, a hurdler-high jumper, and John Trivisonno, a long sprinter, will be another pair of contributors.

“John (Trivisonno) is one of the guys we’d like to see move up and run a 400 in the relays for us,” said Briggs.

Junior long sprinters Evan Stinnett and Jesse Weier also could be asked to move up.

In a group of 10 freshmen, Central will look to get the most help from Ryan Mount, a hurdler-high jumper. Oth-er freshmen who could con-tribute include distance runner Jacob Shoop, mid-dle distance runner Ethan Rybicki, thrower Cesareo Puente and thrower Matt Quinn.

“We also have a senior transfer from Ludington, Kaine Linstrom, who could help us in the pole vault,” added Briggs.

The 2014 Mason County Central boys track and field roster:

SENIORS: Chase Barnett, James Goodrich, Kaine Linstrom, Aus-tin Persoon, Wynn Petersen, Dalton Shoemate, Trever Skinner, Alex VanNoller, Doug

Wyman.JUNIORS: Drew Griffis, Evan

Stinnett, Nathan Strejcek, John Trivisonno, Jarred Webster, Jesse Weier.

SOPHOMORES: Zac Benham, Cody Cooper, Victor Lafata, Eric Quick.

FRESHMEN: Evan Boes, Ethan Hill, Zach Kortge, Eldon Mc-Cabe, Ryan Mount, Cesareo Puente, Matt Quinn, Ethan Rybicki, Jacob Shoop, Jon Zoscsak.

Central’s main assistant coach again this spring will be Tom Johnson. But coach-ing help will also come from Randy Wyman, Patrick Wi-ese, Maria Holbrook, Maurie Holbrook, Cathy Laman and Jeff Mount.

SEE TRACK, 4

DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWSMembers of the 2014 Mason County Central boys track team are, from left, sitting, Jacob Shoop, Eric Quick, Johnny Trivisonno, Dalton Shoemate, Victor Lafata, Zachary Kortge, Cody Cooper, Marques Childs and Zachary Benham; middle row, Evan Boes, Cesareo Puente, Matt Quinn, James Goodrich, Douglas Wyman, Jarred Webster, Eldon McCabe, Austin Persoon, Wynn Petersen, Ethan Hill and Trever Skinner; back row, assistant Tom Johnson, Drew Griffis, Alex VanNoller, Ethan Rybicki, Chase Barnett, Nate Strejcek, Jonathan Zoscsak, Ryan Mount, Jesse Wens, Evan Stinnett and coach Scott Briggs. Not pictured: Kaine Linstrom.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2014 | LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS/SPRING SPORTS | 3

BY ED PAPESDAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

SCOTTVILLE — After her Spartans went 5-8 in her first year as the Mason County Central head soccer coach, Cheri Stibitz expects im-provement this spring.

“I think we will be a little bit better,” said Stibitz, who also coaches the Spartans competitive cheer team. “We should have a stronger of-fensive line. And I like the determination and hustle of this group.”

The Spartans have lost four players to graduation. They are defenseman Kelsey Persoon, defenseman Ariel White, center-mid Lindsay Scheffler and Katelynn Cox.

Spearheading the Spar-tans’ efforts on the pitch this spring should be four re-turning seniors: forward Jes-sica Allen, defenseman Pay-ton Bladzik, forward Ashley Pyke and center-mid Rosa Rendon.

“We have moved Jessica to offense and she should form a good attacking line with Ashley,” said Stibitz.

Other important cogs will be junior goalkeeper Makila Hodges, sophomore mid-fielder Dria Striker, sopho-more defenseman Amanda Watkins and sophomore midfielder Kendal Wietecha.

Stibitz also has hopes that junior newcomer Abbie Ber-ringer can help out at anoth-er midfielder position.

Other Spartan team mem-bers who could contribute this season include junior

midfielder Ashley Ingison and sophomore defenseman Miranda Beebe.

Newcomers include soph-omores Cheyenne Mayes, Izzie Rains, Stephanie Schul-tz and freshman Morgan

Cook. “I like our starting 11,” add-

ed Stibitz. “I am pretty well pleased with our turnout of 15 girls, although two of three more would be nice.”

With very little outside

practice, Stibitz is anxious to see what kind of endurance her team will have at the start of the season.

The Mason County Central girls soccer team roster:

SENIORS: Jessica Allen, Payton Bladzik, Ashley Pyke, Rosa Rendon.

JUNIORS: Abbie Berringer, Makila Hodges, Ashley Ingison.

SEE SOCCER, 5

Mason County Central girls soccer

Spartans expect improvement

DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWSMembers of the Mason County Central girls soccer team are, kneeling, from left, Ashley Ingison, Abbie Berringer, Rosa Rendon, Payton Bladzik, Jessica Allen, Ashley Pyke, Makila Hodges and Miranda Beebe; standing, Stephanie Schultz, Isabel Raines, Cheyenne Mayse, Amanda Watkins, Morgan Cook, Kendal Wietecha, Dria Striker and coach Cheri Stibitz.

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SCOTTVILLE — Last sea-son, the Mason County Cen-tral girls track and field team placed second in the West Michigan Conference and took fifth at the MHSAA Di-vision 3 regional meet.

From that squad, the Spartans have lost 10 mem-bers to graduation. Central will most notably miss pole vaulter-high jumper Kas-sidy Jensen and distance runner Andrea LaVigne as well as pole vaulter Angelyn Kutchinski and distance run-ner Morgan Lange.

As usual, the Spartans will build their team around their strong middle distance and distance running.

This spring, veteran coach Ben Nelson will look to a nu-cleus of five returnees: se-nior distance runner Lindsay Larsen, who was the Spar-tans’ leading runner before missing the final weeks of the last season with a foot injury; sophomore hurdler-high jumper Kylie Mount; sophomore distance run-ner Leta Larsen; sophomore middle distance runner Chloe Kimes and sophomore distance runner Jordyn Sanders; as well as junior newcomer Riley Barnett, a long sprinter-long jumper to lead the way.

Larsen is signed to run for Siena Heights, an NAIA school, after she graduates.

At the conference final meet last May, Mount placed in both the high and low hur-dle events as well as the high jump. Leta Larsen took sec-ond in the 3,200-meter run at that meet and also placed in the 1,600. Kimes was fourth in the 400. Sanders finished fifth in the 3,200.

“We should be strong in

everything from the 200 meters on up,” said Nelson, who enters his 20th season as the head Spartan. “We will be weak in some of the field events. I think, however, that both Kylie (Mount) and Riley (Barnett) can help us in the jumps this year. They both are very versatile athletes.”

The Spartans have just 18 girls on the roster this spring.

“Our top middle distance and distance runners will probably have to run four events this season,” add-ed Nelson. “But, you know, most of the teams in the league have also gotten

smaller over the last few years.”

Nelson also sees help com-ing from senior middle dis-tance runner Katie Schieb-ner, who returns after one season away from track and junior shotputter Katelyn Weber. Freshman Hunter Wiese shows a good deal of promise as a thrower and sprinter. Sophomore new-comers Jacy Larson, a sprint-er, and Kelsey Decker, an-other sprinter, could also contribute.

“Tirzah Wood, a sopho-more sprinter, has said she will try the pole vault for us,” added Nelson. “And she

could do quite well there,”The 2014 Mason County

Central girls track and field roster:

SENIORS: Lindsay Larsen, Katie Schiebner.

JUNIORS: Riley Barnett, Katie Huggard, Marissa Lopez, Kate-lyn Weber.

SOPHOMORES: Kelsey Decker, Sarah Fricke, Savannah Keefer, Chloe Kimes, Serena Kuhn, Leta Larsen, Jacy Larson, Kylie Mount, Jordyn Sanders, Faith Vidak, Tirzah Wood.

FRESHMAN: Hunter Wiese.

The Spartans main assis-tant coach will be veteran

Maria Holbrook. Also help-ing out again this season will be Tom Johnson, Randy Wyman, Patrick Wiese, Mau-rie Holbrook and Cathy La-man. Jeff Mount will assist with the high jumpers in spring.

“We are fortunate this year in that we will not have to be in the same regional meet with Manistee and Hart, both of whom have strong mid-dle distance runners,” noted Nelson. “We will be going to Clare this spring for the re-gional.”

Mason County Central girls track

Quintet forms good nucleus

DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWSMembers of the Mason County Central girls track team are, from left, sitting, Katie Schiebner and Lindsay Larsen; kneeling, Katie Huggard, Jordyn Sanders, Serena Kuhn, Leta Larsen, Riley Barnett, Jacy Larson and Tirzah Wood; standing, Hunter Wiese, Faith Vidak, Kelsey Decker, Katlyn Weber, coach Ben Nelson, Chloe Kimes, Kylie Mount, Sarah Fricke, Savannah Keefer and Marissa Lopez. Not pictured: assistant Maria Holbrook.

TRACKFROM PAGE 2

In the league title chase, Briggs sees Whitehall as the team to beat.

“They always have such great numbers on the team,” said Briggs. “Mus-kegon Oakridge will also be good. We should be right up in there. Big for us will be how much some of the other league teams can do in breaking up Whitehall’s points in events that we do not usually score in.”



SCOTTVILLE — Experience is usually the key to success in high school sports. And coach Don Thomas and his Mason County Central Spar-tans baseball team will have plenty of it this season.

“I have younger players as well as older players that have a good deal of varsity experience,” said Thomas, who has nine members off last season’s 20-17 team back.

Most importantly, Central has seven pitchers who have worked at the varsity level.

“This is definitely one of our stronger points,” not-ed Thomas, who starts his eighth season as the leader of the Spartans.

Last season, the Spartans started the season at 4-10, but then won 16 of their last 23 games. In the West Mich-igan Conference, Central went 5-9.

Graduated from that team are outfielder Nathan Stinnett, third baseman Al-len Barnhardt, pitcher Pay-ton Tyndall, first baseman David Andersen and right-fielder Robert Allen.

Pacing the Spartans this season should be senior sec-ond baseman-pitcher An-ders Asiala (.356 batting av-erage, 29 runs scored, 38 innings pitched, 2.76 earned run average, 5-1 win-loss re-cord), senior pitcher-first baseman Brian Erndteman (70 IP, 1.80 ERA, 6-6 W-L), senior first baseman-pitch-er-leftfielder Jacob Graczyk (.317 BA, 27 IP, 4.41 ERA,3-2 W-L), and senior third base-man-outfielder-pitcher Mur-phy O’Brien (13 IP, 7.00 ERA, 2-0 W-L).

Two sophomores who started all of last season at key positions are back.

They are catcher Spen-cer Knizacky (.380 BA 41 hits) and shortstop Mitchell Lange (.293 BA, 19 RBI).

Junior pitcher Sean Wells and sophomore centerfield-er Blake Bladzik will also play big roles for the Spar-tans.

Others who should help out are senior catcher-out-fielder Cale Cookenmaster, senior rightfielder Tristan Gerbers, junior third-base-man-pitcher Jon Wittlieff and junior utility player Aus-

tin Krusinski.“I like all 12 players we

have,” added Thomas. “All of them will contribute dur-ing the season. We will not have to rely on one or two players to carry us.”

At this point the top four pitchers appear to be Erndte-man, Wells, Asiala and Grac-zyk.

“We should be solid in all three facets of the game, pitching, fielding and hit-ting,” said Thomas. “Where we are mentally will decide a

lot. We have a chance to be pretty good.”

The Mason County Central baseball team roster:

SENIORS: Anders Asiala, Cale Cookenmaster, Brian Erndte-man, Tristan Gerbers, Jacob Graczyk, Murphy O’Brien.

JUNIORS: Austin Krusinski, Sean Wells, Jon Wittieff.

SOPHOMORES: Blake Bladzik, Spencer Knizacky, Mitchell Lange.

Assisting Thomas again

this spring will be Seth Bush. Karl Shafer with help from Chris Carr will lead the ju-nior varsity squad.

In the league title race, Thomas envisions a real dog fight.

“Every team will be better this year,” said Thomas. “Ev-ery game in the conference will be tough. You know, there are a lot of good coach-es in our league who have been at their schools for a long time.”

Mason County Central baseball

Experienced MCC will be strong

DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWSMembers of the 2014 Mason County Central Members are, kneeling, from left, Spencer Knizacky, Tristan Gerbers, Cale Cookenmaster, Murphy O’Brien, Jacob Graczyk and Jonathan Wittlieff; standing, coach Don Thomas, Brian Erndteman, Mitchell Lange, Sean Wells, Blake Bladzik, Anders Asiala, Austin Krusinski and assistant Seth Bush.

SOCCERFROM PAGE 3

SOPHOMORES: Miranda Bee-be, Cheyenne Mayes, Izzie Rains, Stephanie Schultz, Dria Striker, Amanda Wat-kins, Kendal Wietecha.

FRESHMAN: Morgan Cook.

Stibitz’s father Jack, a former Central soccer coach, will help out with the team as time permits.

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SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central boys golf team finished sixth in the West Michigan Conference last season, but they look forward to moving up the league ladder this spring.

“We have all five of our top golfers back,” said co-head coach Tim Genson, who is in the fourth season of his second stint as the Spartans head man. “We really expect what you might call natural

improvement from those five.”

Central lost three mem-bers of last year’s team to graduation. Those are Jor-dan Johnson, Tighe LeRay and Carson Cooper.

Pacing the Spartans play on the links this season should be coach Genson’s son, junior Noah Genson, who earned an all-confer-ence spot in 2013.

“Noah finished as the fifth-best golfer in the league,” said his father/coach.

Senior Kody Berkel, who

held down the Spartans’ No. 2 spot last year is also back. Also returning are junior Jared Knizacky, senior Hunt-er VanderWall and junior Clayton Malkowski.

Freshmen Austin Tyndall and Joel Spotts look to be a couple of players who could crack the top five.

“With the weather, we have not been able to do much in practice,” said Genson. “Mike Payment at Sports-man’s Bar has been more than generous with letting us use his virtual facility up-

stairs.”This season, Central has

three new sophomores and four freshmen out for golf.

“We have more kids out. And younger kids in kids. That is nice to see,” said Gen-son. “That bodes well for the future of our golf program.”

The Mason County Central boys goal team roster:

SENIORS: Kody Berkel, Hunter VanderWall.

JUNIORS: Noah Genson, Jared Knizacky, Clayton Malkowski, NIc Nielsen.

SOPHOMORES: Jay Glover, Quinton Nelson, Tristan Sch-reibner.

FRESHMEN: Hannah Pettis, Aus-tin Tyndall, Joel Spotts, Garrett Stearns.

Mike Baerwolf will again assume co-head coaching duties with Genson.

In the conference, Genson sees many of the top teams losing their best golfers.

“Last season, in the top 15 golfers all but two were se-niors,” noted Genson.

‘We have all five of our top golfers back. We really expect improvement from those five.’

Tim GensonMason County Central

golf co-coach

Mason County Central boys golf

MCC set to move up WMC ladder

DAVID BOSSICK | DAILY NEWSMembers of the Mason County Central golf team are, sitting, Hannah Pettis; kneeling, from left, Joel Spotts, Jared Knizacky and Jay Glover; standing, Kody Berkel, coach Michael Baerwolf, Austin Tyndall, Noah Genson, Hunter Vanderwall, Quinton Nelson, Nick Nielsen, Tristan Scribner, Garrett Stearns, coach Tim Genson and Clayton Malkowski.

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SCOTTVILLE — Mason County Central softball coach Pete Lundberg returns this spring to retake the reins of the Spartans’ pro-gram.

Last year, Lundberg missed most of the season due to hip replacement sur-gery. In his absence, Greg Melchert stepped in as in-terim coach to lead the Spar-tans.

Under Melchert, Central posted a 7-26 overall record and went 2-12 in the West Michigan Conference. But the Spartans did finish the season strongly.

“Yes, they really did play better in the final few games,” said Lundberg.

Gone via graduation from that team are pitcher Holly Olenchak, who threw about 60 percent of the innings last spring; outfielder Kay-leen Moffitt, who hit .315; and, outfielder Erin Jabrocki.

Leading the Spartans this year on the diamond will be a group of nine seniors.

Shortstop Madison Geers, who batted .375 and was an all-conference selection, along with pitcher Kalee Stankowski, who worked the other 40 percent of innings last year, will be counted on most heavily.

“Madison does a great job at shortstop,” said Lun-dberg, who enter his sec-ond full season as the Spar-tans mentor. “And we will be putting a lot of faith in Kalee this year. For her, the biggest thing is throwing strikes. She needs to throw strikes about 70 percent of the time. Kalee also is a good hitter. She hit around .300 last year.”

Other seniors being relied

on include a pair of catch-er-second basemen Katelyn Graczyk and Amber Parrish.

“Both of those girls are sol-id catchers,” said Lundberg. “I plan to flip-flop them be-tween catching and playing second.”

Help is also expected from senior centerfielder Ash-leigh McCabe and senior out-fielder-pitcher Jesse John-son.

“Ashleigh plays a good

centerfield,” noted Lund-berg. “And Jesse has been looking very good hitting the ball in practice so far.”

Sophomore Brooke Thu-row will take over at first base.

“She is the best defensive first baseman we have had in the last couple of years,” said Lundberg. “She can scoop it.”

Third base will be held down by freshman Courtney

Krause.“Courtney and Brooke

along with Jesse Johnson and Madison Geers will vie for pitching time behind Kalee Stankowksi,” said Lun-dberg.

Junior Carly Davis and se-nior Megan Moffitt will share time in the third outfield spot.

“The thing I like best about this team is our defense,” said Lundberg. “I hope our

pitching and hitting will come along with most of these girls being seniors.”

The 2014 Mason County Central softball team roster:

SENIORS: Inken Diederzen, Madison Geers, Katelyn Grac-zyk, Jesse Johnson, Ashleigh McCabe, Suzette Mireles, Megan Moffitt, Amber Parrish, Kalee Stankowski.

JUNIOR: Carly Davis.SOPHOMORE: Brooke Thurow.

FRESHMAN: Courtney Krause.

Assisting Lundberg as a hitting coach will be Jim Jackoviak Jr.

Julie Berndt will coach the junior varsity, which has 13 members.

Lundberg points to North Muskegon and Whitehall as the two front runners for the league title.

“Ravenna should also be good,” added Lundberg.

Mason County Central softball

Lundberg back to coach Spartans

SUBMITTED PHOTOMembers of the 2014 Mason County Central softball team are, from left, kneeling, Suzy Mireles, Megan Moffitt, Courtney Krause, Carly Davis, Katelyn Graczyk and Ashleigh McCabe; standing, Kalee Stankowski, Masyn Berkel, Inken Diederzen, Madison Geers, Amber Parrish, Brooke Thurow and Jessica Johnson.

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na, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 17, at Lud-ington Invitational, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 22, at North Muskegon, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 29, at White-hall, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 30, Oceana County Tournament, 3 p.m.

Thursday, May 1, at Shelby, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 6, at Mon-tague, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 9, at Shelby In-vite, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13, Shelby, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 16, at Mon-tague Invite, 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 20, at Easy Flooring Invite, Mason County Central, 1:30 p.m.

CO-ED TRACKSaturday, April 12, at Kings-

ley Invitational, 9 a.m.Monday, April 14, WMC

meet at Mason County Cen-tral, 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 17, WMC meet at Montague, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22, Whitehall, 4 p.m.

Friday, April 25, at Scottville Optimist Club Invitational at Mason County Central, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 29, WMC meet at Holton, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 3, at LeRoy Pine River Invitational, 9 a.m.

Monday, May 5, White Cloud, 4 p.m.

Friday, May 9, Oceana County Invitational, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13, at WMC championship meet, Shelby, 3 p.m.

Mason County Central schedules

Hart schedules

9

1200 E. Tinkham AveLudington, Michigan 49431


One Longfellow PlaceLudington, MI 49431

800-253-04092601 W. US-10 Ludington

843-4455

PADNOSPERE MARQUETTE

BY ANDY ROBERTSSHORELINE MEDIA

HART — The Hart track team returns a large crop of talented athletes and wel-comes a nice group of new-comers, setting the Pirates up for success in 2014.

For the Pirates’ boys, a strong group of runners re-turns, led by Lenin Castillo and Jon Vanderstelt. Jonah Gale, Devin Whitney and Ryan Scott will also be key contributors. Sam Hernan-dez, Esteven Escamilla, Der-rek Broaddus and Luis Deb-las should be factors as well.

Jennie Gottardo is back again after qualifying for the state finals the previous two years, and should again be a force. Sabrina Smith, Maddie Hodges and Kassidy Baum will also be assets in the run-ning events. Brittany Wise, Jenny Herrygers and Kay-leigh Gordon are other re-turning starters.

New to the Pirates this year are several talented freshman. Sierra Albus was a strong run-ner during cross-country and should continue to be a factor in track. Brady Tate, Garrett Eisenlohr and Blake Kaat lead the Pirates’ freshman boys. Non-freshman newcomers in-clude seniors Travess Smith, Carl Morgan and Nick Rom-bach, as well as sophomores Arthur Brandel and Rek Lu-edtke.

“We hope to finish in the

top half of the conference,” Hart coach Mindy Whitney said. “MCC and Whitehall will be big challenges.”

TOP: Members of the 2014 Hart girls track team are, from left, sitting, Kassidy Baum, Sa-

brina Smith, Maddie Hodges, Sierra Albus, Kalie Elder and

Marianne Tate; kneeling, Jen-nie Gottardo, Jenny Herrygers, Kayleigh Gordon, Edna Lopez,

Hannah Mead and Sabrina Chandler; standing, assistant

Terry Peters, assistant Mike Hoffman, Breanna Ponce, Brit-

tany Wise, Yolanda Gonzalez, Brenna McCann, Mirella Barco, coach Mindy Whitney and as-

sistant Rachel Hoffman.

BOTTOM: Members of the 2014 Hart boys track team are, from

left, sitting, Garrett Eisenlohr, Luis Deblas, Brady Tate, Blake

Kaat, Joghan Ramirez and Mark Wilett; kneeling, Travess Smith,

Devin Whitney, Jacob Hoebeke, Michael Sosnowski, Derrek

Broaddus, Lenin Castillo and Emilio Ortiz; standing, assistant

Terry Peters, assistant Mike Hoffman, Art Brandel, Jonah Gale, Juan Ortiz Carrera, Jon Vanderstelt, Christian Wilett,

Rek Luedtke, coach Mindy Whitney and assistant Rachel Hoffman. Not pictured: Jessie Adkins, Willard Dold, Esteven

Escamilla, Jackson Forner, Samuel Hernandez, Logan

Hutchinson, Fher Mendez, Carl Morgan, Nick Rombach, Ryan

Scott, and Austin Dunford.

Hart trackPirates aim high

JOHN CAVANAGH | SHORELINE MEDIA PHOTOS



HART — Hart’s first sea-son under coach Michael Giddings was a rough one at times, as the team strug-gled defensively on its way to a 5-24 record. However, with plenty of experience back, the Pirates hope those lumps serve to make them better this season.

Hart loses catcher Aaron Hepworth and third base-man Logan Rasmussen from last season’s team, but a boatload of seasoned play-ers return for the Pirates.

Captains Brandon Am-stutz, Connor Boundy and Tyler Lenon will be the leaders of this Hart squad. Boundy was probably Hart’s top performer a year ago, hit-ting .352 and serving as the Pirates’ top starting pitch-er on his way to an all-West Michigan Conference honor-able mention. Amstutz will

join Boundy as the other half of the doubleheader pitch-ing rotation and will play shortstop and catcher as well as Giddings looks to de-ploy his senior’s athleticism in a variety of ways. Lenon is the Pirates’ rightfielder and will look to get his bat back into early-2013 form after hitting .275 overall last sea-son.

Several other seniors will play key roles for Hart. Da-kotah Cutter will be a key bat in the Pirates’ lineup as well as a corner infielder. James Freeman will do some pitch-ing and play catcher and the outfield. Giddings called Freeman “a key to our suc-cess this year.” Jaykob Gal-lop will play second base and spend some time on the mound as well. He hit .306 in 2013. Thomas Stoneman will play center field and is the team’s fastest player.

SEE BASEBALL, 12

Hart baseball

Pirates hope for turnaround in ’14

JOHN CAVANAGH | SHORELINE MEDIA PHOTOSMembers of the 2014 Hart baseball team are, from left, kneeling, James Freeman, Brett Bonstell, Thomas Stoneman, Rusty Gleason, Reuben Jaramillo and Tyler Lenon; standing, coach Mike Giddings, Jaykob Gallop, Brandon Amstutz, Orlando Guzman, Connor Boundy, Dakotah Cutter, Jordan Self, Jaxon Riley and assistant Paul Cutter. Not pictured: Ty Davis.


HART — It was a struggle at times for the Hart soft-ball team a year ago, with the team posting a 2-25 overall

record, but the Pirates bring back some key experience and hope to take a step for-ward in the West Michigan Conference this year.

Theresa Tate and Alexis Tiles both graduated after strong senior campaigns, but second-year coach Meghan Scott looks at the departures as opportunities for her remaining players rather than negatives.

“Their departure provides the opportunity for other players to step up in to those positions in the infield,” Scott said.

Some key senior leader-ship on this year’s team should come from returnees Breanna Escamilla and McK-enna Miller, who will be ex-pected to spearhead the Pi-rates’ efforts.

Sophomores Haley Mast and Baylee Draper will also be key players, and they’ll join the pair of seniors as the projected statistical leaders of the team.

Every team on Hart’s schedule will pose a differ-ent set of challenges, but the

SEE SOFTBALL, 12

Hart softballSome experience back for Hart

Members of the 2014 Hart softball team are, from left, kneeling, Kari Merten, Adrianna Sawdy, Raven Smith-Wilson, McKenna Miller and Alison Altland; standing, coach Meghan Scott, Lauryn Tanner, Baylee Draper, Haley Mast, Brooke Loudermilk and Breanna Escamilla.

11



HART — It’s a new era for Hart girls soccer this season, as the retirement of long-time coach Brenda Seguin, the team’s only coach since the program began in 1999, following last year’s district championship led to the hire of a new leader — former col-lege player Rebecca Gaarde.

Gaarde is less than a year out of Olivet College, where she played during her col-lege days, giving the Pirates a fresh face and an infusion of energy in the program.

“I think being brand new to the area as well as the program will be to my ad-vantage,” Gaarde said. “Not knowing much about the teams on our schedule is go-ing to help me to bring 100 percent effort and dedica-

tion out of the girls at each practice and game. We plan to play each game as if it is for the championship.”

The fresh faces aren’t lim-ited to the coaching staff, as the Pirates will have to replace all-West Michigan Conference fixtures Macayla Greiner and Landyn Lorenz, who combined for much of the Pirates’ scoring a year ago. Greiner now plays at Alma College.

There will be some experi-enced talent to lead the way, though, and captains Nicho-le Jorissen and Natalie Switaj will be expected to be the pace-setters.

“They are both returning players that I have a great amount of confidence in as far as leadership as and skill,” Gaarde said.

SEE SOCCER, 12


HART — Hart golf will have a pair of new coaches this year, as Chris Griffin and Michael DeRuiter will co-coach the Pirates. DeRuit-er’s name is familiar to area golf fans, as he is the coach of Pentwater. He will now be coaching half of the county golf teams.

Hart will lack depth this season, with just four play-ers. With four scores used to tabulate each team’s total score in each meet, this will put the pressure on the Pi-rates to perform well in each and every round to be com-petitive.

“I think they’re up for the

challenge and I’m looking forward to the season,” Grif-fin said. “I think we have a good group of kids this year. I’m not that familiar with the other teams in the confer-ence and how they compare to Hart. As far as goals, we’re just looking to improve dai-ly as the season progresses and be competitive within the conference.”

Joe Fillips will, according to the coaches, be the lead-er of the Pirates. While Hart has only four golfers, all are returning starters, which should help the team get off to a decent start against their younger rivals.

The other returning start-ers for Hart are Matt Wilson, Matt Vanderwall and Joey

McClatchy, each of whom logged considerable time on the links a year ago.

“In the few weeks we have had to work with the play-ers, they are making big im-provements in their swings and techniques,” DeRuiter said. “It will be exciting to see what they do this year.”

The Pirates were last among West Michigan Con-ference golf teams last year, but hope to make a move up this year. North Muskegon is always the prohibitive favorite in the WMC, but Whitehall and Shelby will also be teams to watch as the league race unfolds.

SEE GOLF, 12

JOHN CAVANAGH | SHORELINE MEDIAMembers of the 2014 Hart golf team are, from left, coach Mike DeRuiter, Matt Vanderwall, Matt Wilson, Joe Fillips, Joey Mclatchy, and coach Chris Griffin.

Hart golfDeRuiter, Griffin take over Pirates golf program

JOHN CAVANAGH | SHORELINE MEDIAMembers of the 2014 Hart girls soccer team are, from left, kneeling, Mariah Foster, Stacie Shellhouse, Faith Ramirez, Natalie Switaj, McKenna Kaat, Brooke Hodges and Aubrey Hertzler; standing, manager McKenna Littiebrant, Terri Carlson, Anna Drenth, Sydney Scarbrough, Nichole Jorissen, Olivia Smith, Malaina Monroe and coach Becca Gaarde. Not pictured: Jessica Cook.

Hart girls soccerGaarde to lead Hart after Sequin’s retirement

12


BASEBALLFROM PAGE 10

“He is a speedster who we need to get on base and manufacture runs for us,” Giddings said. “We are looking for him to be a leader this season as well.”

Sophomore Brett Bon-stell also returns for the Pirates, and he will play catcher and be an impor-tant hitter at the top of the order for Hart. Junior Or-lando Guzman got more playing time as 2013 went along and will be Hart’s primary first baseman.

A talented crop of ju-niors will play reserve roles for the Pirates, in-cluding first baseman Jax-on Riley, infielder Jordan Self, utilityman Ty Da-vis and outfielders Rusty

Gleason and Reuben Jara-millo.

Giddings said he has high expectations for his team as they look to bounce back from 2013.

“I expect Hart to be more competitive than last sea-son,” Giddings said. “If we can pick the ball up on de-fense and get outs, we can be in a lot of games. We have some team speed to where if those guys get on, we can be aggressive on the basepaths.”

Hart will play some high-level non-conference foes, including Holton and Hes-peria, as well as participat-ing in the Marsh Field Ex-tra Innings tournament. The Pirates will shoot to play up to the competition when they face defending WMC champion Montague and archrival Shelby.

SOFTBALLFROM PAGE 10

Pirates should face especially tough games against Manistee, Hesperia and Holton out of conference, as well as from Montague, Shelby, North Muskegon and Whitehall in league play.

“The expectations are to work hard and improve overall play,” Scott said.

SOCCERFROM PAGE 11

“We’ve got a fairly young team with a few freshmen who I know will help con-tribute to our success this season. I have confidence in each of the players that I have right now in that they will always give it their all wherever they are playing.”

Hart has been among the ruling class of WMC girls soccer of late, finishing second to Oakridge a year ago. Up-and-coming teams like Whitehall and Shelby will be expected to provide tests for the Pirates, as well as non-conference games against the likes of Benzie Central, Reed City and Man-istee.

GOLFFROM PAGE 11

A fresh face might be just what the Pi-rates need to be competitive. Combined with the veteran golfers on the Pirates’ team, it should make for an interesting mix as Hart aims to improve its standing in the WMC.

BASEBALL/SOFTBALLDIVISION 3 AT MASON COUN-

TY CENTRAL: Hart, Manistee, Montague, Mason County Central, Shelby. Winner advances to Morley-Stanwood regional with the district win-ners from LeRoy Pine River, Lakeview and Hesperia.

BOYS GOLFDIVISION 3 AT MASON

COUNTY CENTRAL: Hart, Kent City, Lakeview, Ludington, Montague, Ravenna, Reed City, Remus Chippewa Hills, Mason County Central, Shelby, Stanton Central Montcalm, Whitehall. Regional qualifiers advance to Farwell regional with the qualifiers from Manistee.

GIRLS SOCCERDIVISION 3 AT LUDINGTON:

Benzie Central, Big Rapids, Kingsley, Ludington, Manistee, Reed City, Mason County Central. Regional qualifiers advance to Reeths-Puffer re-gional with the qualifiers from Grand Rapids South Christian, Grand Rapids Catholic and a district host yet to be deter-mined.

DIVISION 4 AT MUSKEGON CATHOLIC: Fruitport Calvary Christian, Hart, Mason County Eastern, Montague, Muskegon Catholic, Western Michigan Christian, North Muskegon, Pentwater. Regional quali-fiers advance to Traverse City St. Francis regional with the

qualifiers from Maple City Glen Lake, Charlevoix and Big Rapids Crossroads.

TRACKDIVISION 3 AT CLARE: Clare,

Beaverton, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison, LeRoy Pine River, Oscoda, Pinconning, Reed City, Sanford Meridian, Mason County Central, Standish-Sterling, Tawas, Whittemore-Prescott.

DIVISION 3 AT SHEPHERD: Bridgeport, Carrollton, Hart, Hemlock, Hesperia, Lakeview, Montague, Morley-Stanwood, Newaygo, Saginaw Nouvel, Saginaw Valley Lutheran, Shelby, Shepherd, St Louis, Stanton Central Montcalm.

Playoff assignments

BY THE CADILLAC NEWS

They’re tired of running, jumping and throwing in-doors.

They’re tired of taking grounders on gym floors.

They’re tired of the soccer “pitch” having lines but no grass —; and being a wooden floor.

There is, however, light at the end of this bleak, winter-weary tunnel.

A couple days of warmer temperatures have finally graced the region, the mas-sive mounds of snow and ice are melting and there is ac-

tually grass under that white menace.

A couple of weeks ago, no one thought being out after returning from spring break would be possible but it is happening.

Local prep spring sports teams spent time outside for the first time Monday since practices officially began on March 10.

“I would bet we’re about a week off right now,” Cadillac athletic director Rich Gid-dens said. “We’d like to have the frost out but we can play on some of the fields.”

In Cadillac, Mills Field is

open for baseball and play-ers were clearing snow piles from in front of the home dugouts Monday during practice. Lincoln Field needs time before holding softball practices or games, as do the CASA soccer fields on Thir-teenth Street.

The track in Veterans Me-morial Stadium is clear af-ter Voelker Implement Sales in Lake City donated the use of a John Deere tractor with a snow blower attached in mid-March. CAPS mainte-nance spent a couple of days clearing what was three feet of snow at that time.

Cadillac-area schools thawing, too

Hart’s Jennie Got-tardo runs a portion of a relay during the Scottville Optimist Invitational last April for the Pirates. Got-tardo will shoot for another trip to the MHSAA state track meet this spring.

DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO

Documents

Spring sports tab #2