Kingston coach Michael Seaman talks to his players during a game against Peck. Seaman will lead a Cardinal squad that is looking to win it’s third straight district title.
By Mike Gallagher
Sports Writer
CARO — Tuscola County will be represented across seven different districts when postseason play begins, and three teams will be trying to defend their district titles from last season.
Cass City, Reese, and Kingston were all district champions last season, and very well could be again this season.
Cass City won their district title last season, when they knocked off Bad Axe 6-1 in the finals, after defeating Lakers 5-4 in the semifinals.
Saywer Cuthrell and Mason Erla led the Redhawks offense that day, as Cuthrell collected three hits, and scored twice in the finals, and Erla drove in two runs.
Cuthrell and Erla both return for this year’s post season run, and are now the go-to pitchers for Cass City coach Josh Stern. Erla leads the team with five wins, and 91 strikeouts with a 0.35 earned run average, while Cuthrell has a 1.56 ERA, allowing nine earned runs in 29 innings pitched.
Cass City will be playing in the Division 3 district, and will open play against Bad Axe.
A senior heavy Reese Rocket team was district and regional champs last season before falling in the Division 3 State semifinals. The Rockets breezed through district play, defeating Bridgeport and Millington by a combined score of 25-0.
This season’s district will be a bit tougher for the Rockets as Millington and Vassar have both improved since last season, but with their pitching depth could make a run.
Reese had four different pitchers log 25 or more innnings this season: Ryan Maclin, Nick Hall, Kyle Gnatkowski, and Jared Schrader. The group has combined for twelve wins, and 79 strikeouts, while Gnatkowski and Schrader sport 1.06 and 2.15 earned run averages respectively.
Reese will play in the Division 3 district in Brown City and will play the winner of the first round matchup between Millington and Brown City.
Last season Kingston leaned on senior pitcher Joe Barrons, as they won their second district title in a row, and made it to the regional semifinals.
This season the Cardinals, in head coach Mike Seaman’s first year, will lean on the arm of Colin Smith, and a lineup led by Travis Tucker and Aaron VanHorn.
Smith, a lefty, has earned five wins on the season, including wins over North Central Thumb League leaders North Huron and Deckerville. Smith has compiled 83 strikeouts in 49 innings, and has a 2.96 earned run average.
Tucker is the leadoff hitter for the Cardinals, and has a .460 batting average, and has scored 28 runs, while driving in 14 runs. VanHorn bats second behind Tucker and has the second best batting average on the team at .310, and has scored 13 runs and has drawn 10 walks. The duo has combined for 44 stolen bases as well.
Kingston will play the winner of the Landmark Academy/Mayville game at Kingston on Friday.
Division 3 @Brown City
Tuesday May 26th
First Round — 4:30 p.m. – Millington vs. Brown City
Saturday May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. - Millington/Brown City winner vs. Reese
30 minutes after first game – LakeVille vs. Vassar
Finals — 30 minutes after last semifinal game; winner advances to regional at Reese
Overview: Vassar (10-17-1) has vastly improved this season after going 1-23 last season, and has split their season series’ with both Reese and Brown City. If they can keep up their hot hitting (32 hits in last four games) they could have a good chance at winning the district. Millington has played a tough conference schedule, which could give them an advantage. The Cardinals have a nice one-two punch in their pitching rotation with lefty’s Brandon Reed (49 strikeouts 2.09 earned run average), and Brendan Batterbee (40 innings pitched, 2.43 ERA). Reese finished second in the Greater Thumb West Division this season, and might have the most balanced lineup in the district. Sophmore Ryan Maclin could make a difference at the plate (.311 batting average, 13 stolen bases) and on the mound (6-0 record, 2.65 ERA).
Division 4 @Kingston
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — 4 p.m. – Landmark Academy vs. Mayville
Friday, May 29th
Semifinals — 9 a.m. – Peck vs. Carsonville-Port Sanilac
11 a.m. – Kingston vs. Landmark/Mayville winner
Finals — 1 p.m.; winner advances to regional at Mayville
Overview: Mayville and Kingston appear to be the two favorites to win this district. The Wildcats have the pitching and hitting depth to make a run, while the Cardinal bats have the ability to get hot at any time. Kingston lead-off hitter Travis Tucker gets on base frequently (.578 on base percentage) and is dangerous when he does (28 runs scored, 33 stolen bases). Mayville will need to display thier depth, as they will need to win three games to claim the district title and the spot in the Mayville Regional that comes with it. The Wildcats will lean on pitchers Jack Treat (six complete games, 1.47 earned run average, 56 strikeouts) and Hunter Morrison (1.94 ERA, 53 strikeouts).
Division 2 @Imlay City
Tuesday, May 26th
First Round — Yale vs. Imlay City
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Imlay City/Yale winner vs. Croswell-Lexington
12 noon – Armada vs. North Branch
Finals — 30 minutes following last semifinal; winner advances to regional at Armada
Overview: North Branch (21-8, 10-4) starts off district play against an Armada team that finished second in the Blue Water Area Conference this season after they swept Yale late in the season. In the Broncos latest double-header, they dropped two close games to Yale 5-0, and 5-3. North Branch swept Croswell-Lexington 16-6, and 7-3 earlier this season, but the Pioneers have an ace in Tyler Schmidt, a Marshall University baseball commit. If Mac McGough can pitch well, like he has all season for the Broncos, North Branch could find themselves in the finals, with a good chance to take home the title.
Division 3 @ Marlette
Tuesday May 26th
First Round — 5 p.m. – Lakers at Marlette
Friday May 29th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Sandusky vs. Marlette/Lakers winner
12 noon – Cass City vs. Bad Axe
Finals — 2 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Reese
Overview: Marlette kicks off district play against the Greater Thumb West Division champion Lakers. Lakers finished conference play with an unblemished 8-0 record, while the Red Raiders finished 2-8. Marlette however could spring the upset, if they get a good showing from pitcher Zak Chappel. Cass City could be considered the favorite, as they have been playing great baseball as of late. They split their season series with Bad Axe, winning one game 7-0, and losing the other 10-7. The Red Hawks have the bats to make a run, as Mason Erla (.435 batting average), Sawyer Cuthrell (.412), and Kyle Ross (.351) have been strong all season at the top the the Cass City lineup.
Division 4 @ USA
Friday, May 29th
Semifinals — 1:00 p.m. – Caseville vs. USA
2:30 – Owen-Gage vs. Akron-Fairgrove
Finals — 4:00 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Mayville
Overview: USA starts against a Caseville team that is looking to pull an upset, and could if Cole Simmons pitches well. The Patriots have the advantage of playing through a tough non-conference schedule this year, as well as a tough conference schedule. Aaron Saenz has hit well for USA, and has been the ace of the pitching staff and could carry the Patriots to the title. Owen-Gage should find themselves in the finals as well, as they defeated Akron-Fairgrove 18-0, and 15-0 earlier this season. Jacob Wright (90 strikeouts in 50 innings) is the real deal for the Bulldogs and he could lift them to the district title.
Division 2 @ Caro
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Bridgeport vs. Caro
12:30 – Essexville-Garber vs. Saginaw
Finals — 3:00 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Birch Run
Overview: Host Caro, led by Hall of Fame coaches Leon Graham, and Dave Gierhart, should have no trouble making it into the district finals, as they have already defeated Bridgeport 10-0, and 12-0 this season. Essexville Garber finished the regular season with a 16-9 record and a 7-3 conference record, and should advance against Saginaw. Austin Schmit, and Ryan Montgomery lead a strong Caro pitching staff, and expect to see some fine defensive plays from shortstop Alex Phillips, and firstbaseman David Peters.
Division 2 @ Frankenmuth
Saturday, May 30th
Semifinals — 10 a.m. – Mt. Morris vs. Birch Run
12 noon – Clio vs. Frankenmuth
Finals – 2:00 p.m. – winner advances to regional at Birch Run
Overview: Frankenmuth (18-12-1) will be seeking revenge in their district opener, as they lost to Clio 11-10 in their first matchup this season, and tied with them in the second 10-10. Frankenmuth has two aces in Aaron Krafft, and Jack Tagget, and a very strong lineup led by Jake Robinson, a Delta College baseball committ.