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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Year of the pitcher in Oakland County


Oakland County has already seen pitchers dominate in baseball and softball, so I'll break down some of the top pitchers in Oakland County so far.

Baseball

Cam Vieaux – Walled Lake Western
Vieaux has been on a whole new level this season, dominating opposing hitters with his 89 MPH fastball and lethal knucklecurve. The senior lefty is proving to be one of Oakland County’s top aces so far as he’s struck out 44 batters in just over 20 innings, while holding a 1.24 ERA.

Nick Deeg/Brad Schaenzer – Lake Orion
There is no better 1-2 combo in the state on the mound than these two, both capable of striking out 10 or more hitters on any night and neither will more than one or two runs.

Derek Beslock – Milford
In his first ever varsity start on the mound, Beslock was, well, perfect. Literally. Keeping each of the 21 Ann Arbor Huron batters he faces off of the bases.

Dezon Cole – Pontiac
Cole was almost as dominant as Beslock in his first appearance of the season as he threw a complete game no-hitter while striking out 13 Hazel Park batters.

Garret Schilling – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Just a sophomore, but Schilling has pitched like a senior ace so far this season as he’s thrown a pair of two-hit shutout gems already this season for the Ventures.

Jacob Chapman/Elliot Rosenfeld – Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood
These two have been pure aces so far for the Cranes and have some impressive numbers already this year and have been a big part of Cranbrook’s near perfect record.

Griffin Harms – Birmingham Groves
Harms has shown the ability to be an ace over and over this season, striking out batters at an impressive rate, including a 14 strikeout performance against Harrison, and is also finding ways to get batters out in other ways as well.

Zak Northrup – Stoney Creek
Northrup has been sneaky good this year and has been one of the most reliable pitchers in the county. Northrup is a bit of a crafty pitcher, but is more than capable of striking batters out.

Softball

Devin Schomberg – Waterford Mott
Schomberg has picked up right where she left off last season as she had yet another impressive performance against rival Waterford Kettering as she threw a one-hit shutout to quiet a red hot Captains team.

McKenzie Norton – Waterford Kettering
Norton, only a sophomore, has looked dominant at times this year, showing her ability to overpower hitters and has shutdown just about anyone she’s faced so far. She’s only going to get better, and that’s a scary thought for opposing coaches.

Kayce Nieto – Farmington Hills Mercy
No surprise that Nieto is one of the top pitchers so far this season as she’s been her usual dominant self, and gives hitters very little room for error and strikes out batters at an unbelievable rate.

Allyson Kus – West Bloomfield
Kus, as expected, has been lights out this year, striking out 10 or more batters multiple times already and has quieted just about any offense she’s faced.

Keely Nowland – Birmingham Groves
Nowland is as consistent as they get, constantly showing the ability to get hitters out in a number of different way and rarely, if ever has a bad outing.

Katy Krajenta – Troy
Krajenta has been sort of a sleeper this year, but as this season goes on, teams will know exactly who she is. Capable of striking almost anyone out and doesn’t make many mistakes in the circle.

Mary Olesnavich – Bloomfield Hills Andover
If you’re looking for a pitcher who will flat out overpower hitters, look no further that Olesnavich who has shown the ability to strike out 10 or more batters in any game this season.

Katie Severson – North Farmington
Severson has been stellar so far and we likely haven’t seen her best yet. It’s not often that you find a power pitcher that is capable of also being a finesse pitcher too, but that’s exactly what Severson is.


Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Oakland County Girls Soccer Preview: Top 10 Teams

1. Troy 
It's hard to pick against the No. 3 ranked team in the nation and with the star power that the Colts have, there's no surprise that they're the top ranked team in the County. With Irene Young, Madison Hirsch and Erin Wroubel able to score at at an impressive rate, and keeper Alison Holland able to put together a shutout performance in any game, look for some lopsided results in Troy's favor this season.

2. Birmingham Detroit Country Day
The Yellowjackets have one of the best dynamic-duos in the county with sophomore Michelle Manning and senior Alleina Szydlowski who can both score at any time and from anywhere. Senior keeper Rachel Bergman should once again shutdown some dangerous offenses in the Catholic League.

3. Rochester Adams
The Highlanders have a dangerous "Big 3" on the soccer field with seniors Kylie Nylen and Merlin Beckwith and junior Mackenzie Barber who all serve as legitmate two way threats who could all play just about any position aside from keeper which is held by senior Lexi Lewandowski. Look for this senior laden team to find several different ways to win this season.

4. Novi
The Wildcats lost a lot from last seasons team, but look for seniors Kelli Timar, Natalie Krygier, and Jessica Jarvis to give Novi a big-time scoring trio while Kaylin Hoomaian will hold down the Wildcat backline all year long.

5. Madison Heights Lamphere
After a memorable run to the state semifinals for the first time in school history, Lamphere will try and put together a repeat performance and that have the pieces to do just that with juniors Brianna Smith and Chelsea Thompson who are proven threats from anywhere on the field.

6.   Troy Athens
If Athens is going to have a big season like the Red Hawks have been accustomed to, then it's going to start with their defense and with players like Gabby Mancini and Liz Abro, very few teams will have the opportunity to find the back of the net this season.

7. Birmingham Marian
 Marian will get plenty of help from senior keeper Mackenzie Larson and defender Hanna Pateryn, but the Mustangs will get a offensive boost from some of their younger players like juniors Cathrine Anger and freshman Kelly Sweeney who has already tallied a few goals this season.

8. Stoney Creek
The Cougars will get plenty of scoring this season from senior Joanie Seija as well as Maddie Lucci, and will get some solid defensive play from Lauren Bolhuis and super-soph Sydney Inscho.

9. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
This will be a young Fighting Irish team, but they will also be extremely talented as sophomore Taylor Timko will try and build off of a tremendous sophomore season and will get some help from Jen Klei and Ana Gomez.


10. Walled Lake Western
Western should be one of the top teams in the county this season with star forward Rachel Good who scored over 20 goals last season and junior Madison Schram should also contribute to the Warrior scoring attack.

Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack

Monday, April 16, 2012

Oakland County Girls Soccer Preview: Top 25 Players

1. Irene Young — Troy
There is no more complete player in Oakland County than Young who is one of the top finishers in the state and has been known to plays some stellar defense at the same time. Troy is ranked No. 3 in the nation according to ESPN and Young is a big reason why, as the Louisville commit just seems to get better by the game, which is going to give opposing coaches nightmares all season long.

2. Kelli Timar — Novi
Novi seems to have a big-time scorer year after year and this season won't be any different with Timar at forward for the Wildcats. The Michigan State-bound Timar can do it all, whether it's scoring, passing or playing defense, she's the definition of a complete player.

3. Michelle Manning — Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Manning is only a sophomore, but has as much talent as anyone in Oakland County. The super-soph has a knack for making plays around the net and scored 21 goals and was named to the Divison 3 All-State team as a freshman, and she's only going to get better throughout the next three seasons.

4. Rachel Bergman — Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Bergman is another reason as to why the Yellowjackets could win a state title this season as the Northwestern commit is a brick wall in net. The senior goalkeeper has been considered one of the best in the state over the past few years and she didn't disappoint and she's in for yet another dominant season this year.

5. Kylie Nylen/Merlin Beckwith — Rochester Adams
There isn't a better midfield tandem in the state than these two, who both not only bring some impressive offensive skills, but can play with the best in the state defensively, Nylen has committed to play at Western Michigan while Beckwith will play for Appalachian State next season.


6. Brianna Smith — Madison Heights Lamphere
If you're looking for a player with some serious range on the soccer field, look no further than Smith who can score from anywhere on the pitch inside midfield and constantly gives defenders fits. Smith helped Lamphere to the Divison 2 state semifinals for the first time in school history last season.

7. Alison Holland — Troy
Holland is as good as they get between the pipes and made spectacular play after spectacular play as a junior last season and it's safe to say that much of the same is in store for the 2012 season as well. Holland has committed to play for Memphis next season.


8. Chelsea Thompson — Madison Heights Lamphere
Another key contributor to last year's state semifinal team, Thompson is as solid on the backline as anyone in Oakland County and shuts down opposing offensive threats with textbook-like form. Look for the Toledo commit to once again to quiet some of Oakland County's top scorers.


9. Ava Doetsch - Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Doetsch has been a true winner since the second she started at Lakes as the junior has played key parts in state titles with the basketball team as well as the soccer teams. This year Doetsch should once again be one of the go-to scorers for the Lakers who will look to add another state title. Doetsch was named to the Division 4 All-State team as a sophomore.


10. Madison Hirsch
Yet another incredibly talented piece to add to a loaded Troy team, Hirsch should give the Colts a second scoring option when teams are able to slow down Young, but Hirsch can be just as dangerous and Oakland County is about to find that out. Hirsch is committed to play at Eastern Michigan.

11. Alleina Szydlowski — Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Szydlowski will give the Yellowjackets a dangerous 1-2 scoring punch to pair with Manning and should score her fair share of goals this season. The senior will be taking her all-around playmaking abilities to the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin.


12. Tailer Roscoe — Waterford Kettering
Roscoe has been known to put on a show in net, capable of putting together a shutout performance on just about any night. Roscoe has the ability to steal a win or two, which should come in handy for the Captains this year. Roscoe will be joining Szydlowski at Milwaukee-Wisconsin next year.


13. Rachel Good — Walled Lake Western
The senior forward is as dangerous as anyone in Oakland County when the ball is on her foot. Good is the definition of a true playmaker as she found the back of the back of the net over 20 times as a junior, while showing off her ability to make some tough passes as well. Good will be playing for IPFW next season.


14. Aggie Weddle — Walled Lake Northern
Weddle is as clutch as it gets as the Alma commit has netted 11 game-winning goals in her career and has started every game for the Knights dating back to her freshman season. The senior has proven to be as dangerous of a scorer as any as she's tallied 53 goals and 54 assists between her high school and club career.

15. Natalie Krygier/Jessica Jarvis — Novi
These two are as good as it gets when talking about pure scorers in Oakland County and should take some of the scoring pressure off of Timar this season. Both are known for having relentless motors and are capable of scoring from just about anywhere.

16. Madison Duncan — Auburn Hills Avondale
Duncan is about as lethal of a scorer as it gets in Oakland  County and she's just a sophomore and is only going to get better, which is a scary thought for opposing coaches. Look for Duncan to be a key piece for the Yellow Jackets as they rebuild for the future.

17. Caroline Eagen — Bloomfield Hills Lahser
Eagen is another extremely dangerous scorer that the area has to offer and should be able to keep Lahser in any game this season based on her ability to find the back of the net. As a junior, Eagen received Division 2 third team all state recognition last year.

18. Taylor Timko —Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Timko might only be a sophomore, but played like a high-scoring senior as a freshman last year. Last year, Timko scored over 20 goals and added more than 15 assists for the Fighting Irish and should continue to be one of the area's most dominant scorers for years to come.

19. Erin Wrubel — Troy
Wrubel is one of the area's most underrated players, but can do it all. The Ohio commit can bring a little extra to a very capable group of Troy scorers, but can defend as well, which makes her yet another important part to a Troy team that is after a state title.

20. Katy Wagner — Lake Orion
Wagner, who has committed to play for Oakland next year can make plays whether she has the ball or not, proving to be a top scorer and passer in the county. Look for Wagner to bounce back from a rough season after some injuries last year and be another top notch scorer.

21. Joanie Sieja — Stoney Creek
Sieja could be a top notch forward or defender in the area because of her well-rounded game, but the Cougars will utilize a little bit of both this season as she will prove to score an defend the midfield as well as anyone.


22. Kaylin Hoomaian — Novi
The Central Michigan commit has been one of the area's top defenders over the past few years and this year won't be any different as she will anchor the Wildcat defense and set up some scorers from the backline.

23. Gabby Mancini/Liz Abro — Troy Athens
The two midfielders are as good of a defensive pair as there is in Oakland County with there ability to force turnovers and turn them into offense in an instant. These two are a couple of sleepers from the county, but by the end of the year most teams will know exactly who they are.


24. Mackenzie Barber — Rochester Adams
Barber will be add to an already solid Adams scoring attack and as teams key in on Nylen and Beckwith, Barber will shine. The junior should step into the role of a go-to scorer as the year goes on and it will likely carry over into next season.

25. Mackenzie Larson — Birmingham Marian
Larson is another solid keeper that Oakland County has to offer and is capable of stealing a win or two for the Mustangs at any time. The senior will build off of an impressive 2011 season where she was named to the Division 2 All-State second team.


Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Oakland County Softball Preview - Top 10 Teams

1. North Farmington
Not much of a surprise here as the Raiders have the deepest team in Oakland County this year. With senior ace Katy Severson and all-everything senior Katie Creighton, North Farmington will be one tough team to beat. Don’t forget some of the younger players on this team, Megan Keller and Nikki Ward who are both primed for breakout sophomore seasons.


2. Farmington Hills Mercy
The team with the best player in Oakland County is the second best team in the area. Senior ace Kayce Nieto will be the anchor for the Marlins both in the field and at the plate, but will get some help from junior Meg Terrance and another boost from super-soph Jordan Ewald, who are both dangerous in the field as well as at the plate.

3. Troy
The combo of Kamryn LaCarter and Laney Hart is as dangerous and dynamic as any in Oakland County as the two will hold down the middle of the infield for the Colts and both hit well over the .400 mark last season as juniors. Kristen Shelter should be another name to keep an eye on while sophomore Cori Mittelbrun is proving to be an “ace in the making” in the circle for Troy.

4. Lakeland
Lakeland might be the only team that can challenge North Farmington as far as depth is concerned, with junior Selena Hicks and seniors Kelly Merkle, Sierra Burke and Morgan Craft who all have a bit of star power. Look for junior Annika Weisinger and Sam Dunnigan as possible “x-factors” for the Eagles this season.

5. Birmingham Detroit Country Day
It’s all going to start with senior Jessica Collins for the Yellowjackets after the shortstop finished last season in dominant form as she gave opposing teams fits from the second she stepped up to the plate. Look for a pair of juniors to really put Country Day over the top this season as Erika Meyers and Veronica Dyer should hold down the pitching duties for the most part this year.

6. Lake Orion
The Dragons might not have a whole lot of star power this year, but this is another extremely deep team. Led by seniors Brianna Schwarcz and Kaitlin Kogut, Lake Orion will not only have a lot of depth, but a lot of experience as well on this senior laden squad.

7. Clarkston
The Wolves are another team with plenty of experience and nobody on the Clarkston team has more than three-year starting pitcher Megan Hastings as well senior Shauna Siwicki and look for junior Sydney Hasselbach to have a monsterous break-out season in the OAA.

8. Waterford Kettering
Only three games into the season and the Captains have already scored 39 runs, so the rest of Oakland County better be ready and with two big time power bats Kim Jayson and Emma Colegrove, Kettering is going to be a very tough team to beat. Also, sophomore Mackenzie Norton is rounding into ace form and is looking more and more unhittable by the game.

9. Farmington
Farmington has junior Sarah Gutknecht returning after an outstanding sophomore season where she dominated opposing pitching and the Falcons have a super-soph Sarah Gallagher who will also help offensively as well. Look for senior shutdown pitcher Kaitlin Lock to continue to be one of the dominant pitchers in Oakland County once again this year.

10. Troy Athens
The Red Hawks have the perfect blend of experience and youth, senior shortstop Melissa Palmer will be considered as the leader of this team at the plate and in the field. Palmer will have some help from ace sophomore Haley Zemmer who dominated opposing hitters as a freshman last year and was equally as impressive offensively as well. Look for junior Erica Sissmets to have a breakout season this year in the circle and at the plate this season for Athens.


Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Oakland County Softball Preview - Top 20 Players

1. Kayce Nieto – Farmington Hills Mercy
Nieto is without a doubt the most dominant pitcher in the state. Last year, the Utah commit posted a .52 ERA and fanned over 200 batters. Yes, you read those numbers right. Nieto was almost as dangerous offensively, hitting over .500 with 10 homers. Nieto has the stuff where she can overpower hitters in the circle, but can also pinpoint her pitches with her outstanding accuracy.

2. Jessica Collins – Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Collins just might be the fastest player in the state, last year she swiped 38 bases and crossed the plate 60 times. But what separates Collins from the rest of the players in Oakland County is her ability to get on base as she hit over .600 as a junior.

3. Katy Severson – North Farmington
Severson is another player who can and will hurt you in a number of ways. Severson only lost two games all season last year and held a sub-1.50 ERA, but was dangerous with the bat as well hitting over .500 and drove in about 60 runs as well. Severson has committed to play at Detroit Mercy.

4. Allyson Kus – West Bloomfield
Kus is yet another dominant pitcher Oakland County has to offer, as the senior held an ERA of 1.40 while hitting well over .400 and drove in a handful of runs as well. It doesn't get much better in terms of all-around players in the area. Kus has signed to play at Western Michigan.

5. Melissa Palmer – Troy Athens
Palmer can hit with the best of them, as she hit over .500 last season, but she’s been known to flash the leather at shortstop, proving to be one of the top infielders in Oakland County both offensively and defensively. Palmer has signed with Western Michigan.

6. Katie Creighton – North Farmington
Creighton is another defensive ace in the infield, and last year hit well over .450 and scored nearly 50 runs for the Raiders and this season shouldn’t be any different for the senior. The duo of Creighton and Severson should be as lethal in the field as any in Oakland County this season. Creighton has signed to play at Davenport University.

7. Sarah Gutknecht – Farmington
Gutknecht is as pure of a hitter as you’re going to find in Oakland County. As a junior, Gutknecht hit well over the .600 mark and proved to be one of the best at driving in runs as she finished the season with over 30 RBI.

8. Kamryn LaCarter/Laney Hart – Troy
There is no better middle infield in the area than these two with LaCarter at shortstop and Hart holding down second base. LaCarter hit well over .500 and swiped more than 25 bases while Hart hit over .400 last season and drove in about 25 runs. Defensively, these two are just as good. There’s no better offense/defense combination around than these two seniors.

9. Selena Hicks – Lakeland
The definition of a dominant pitcher, Hicks went over the 20 win plateau last season and held an ERA that was slightly above 1.00 and strikes out batters at a ridiculous rate. Don’t forget that Hicks can also carry her own at the plate as well and she’s just a junior.

10. Kim Jayson/Emma Colegrove – Waterford Kettering
Jayson and Coville might be the best 1-2 punch that there is in Oakland County as they anchor the middle of a Captain lineup that has already scored 39 runs in their first three games this season. In a double-header against Ortonville Brandon on Thursday, the dynamic duo combined for three home runs and a total of seven extra base hits. These two are the real-deal.

11. Haley Zemmer – Troy Athens
12. Brianna Schwarcz – Lake Orion
13. Kelly Merkle – Lakeland
14. Megan Keller – North Farmington
15. Sydney Glanz – Walled Lake Central
16. Sierra Burke/Morgan Craft – Lakeland
17. Courtney Wroubel – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
18. Jordan Lennington/Keely Nowland – Birmingham Seaholm
19. Corrina Rotundo/Sam Kern – Walled Lake Northern
20. Christina Guerra – Southfield Christian

5 Underclassmen to keep an eye on
1.Nikki Ward, So. – North Farmington
2. Mackenzie Norton – Waterford Kettering
3. Angie Mastromatteo/Shannon McDonald – Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
4. Jordan Ewald – Farmington Hills Mercy
5. Sarah Gallagher – Farmington


Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Oakland County Baseball Preview - Top 10 Teams

1. Birmingham Brother Rice
This Warriors team isn’t just a frontrunner to win a state title this year, or just next year, but this is a team that could realistically contend for a state title in each of the next three seasons with an extremely talented sophomore class that is led by pitching ace Matt Ruppenthal. What makes Brother Rice so dangerous this year isn’t just the loads of talent, but the Warriors also have plenty of senior leaders, including highly coveted pitcher/outfielder Will Schwartz, who will keep this young team together during some rough patches.

2. Madison Heights Bishop Foley
The defending Class C state champions lost a couple of key players from last season, but make no mistake, this team is still extremely dangerous and it starts with star catcher Brett Sunde. But it won’t be a one man show in Madison Heights as the Ventures have a handful of players that are returning after impressive 2011 seasons, including pitching ace Brian Bayliss and standout outfielder Luke Ortel.

3. Lake Orion
It all starts with pitching in baseball, and the Dragons have plenty of it. Nick Deeg is the ace of the Lake Orion staff, and there are several other dangerous pitchers on the staff including seniors Dalton Overseen, Jake Gardner and super-soph Brad Schaenzer. There’s no doubt that runs are going to be hard to come by this season for any team that has Lake Orion on its schedule.

4. Birmingham Groves
Groves has a very experienced infield returning this season and it will be led with Michigan commit Jake Balicki, who will do a bit of everything this year for the Falcons. Griffin Harms, who is heading to Wayne State, should serve as a shutdown pitcher for Groves this year that will pair nicely with the offensive power from Balicki.

5. Stoney Creek
The Cougars will have one of the best pitcher/catcher combos in Oakland County this season with catcher Niko Gonzales and ace Zack Northrup. Last season Gonzales hit over .400 at the plate, but shined defensively as he gunned down base-stealers at an impressive rate while Northrup was dominant last year, only recording one loss in eight decisions and held a sub-1.50 ERA.

6. Walled Lake Western
Western starts the season as one of the top teams even without its best player in Central Michigan bound pitcher Jason Gamble. But with or without Gamble, this team is stacked with senior Cam Vieaux and junior Niklas Heglin who have both proven to be “top of the rotation” type of pitchers. The offense will likely get a sizeable boost from senior catcher Blake Amhowitz.

7. Bloomfield Hills Andover
Whether it’s at the plate or in the field, it’s going to start with senior Gabe Berman who is without a doubt an ace and one of the best sluggers around. Senior outfielder Emerson Misch will likely provide some protection for Berman in the lineup after Misch finished last season with nearly 40 RBI.

8. Novi
The strength for the Wildcats is really their defense with senior outfielder Logan Regnier and shortstop Jimmy Eloff as well as senior Tyler Schwanz who has proven to be effective at a number of positions. Regnier and Eloff both hovered around the .450 mark last season and both should help carry the Novi offense once again this season.

9. Walled Lake Central
For one last time the dynamic duo of Zac Leimbach and K.J. Schultz will pair up and they should lead a potent offense for the Vikings this season. Last season, both players hit over the .400 mark and each stole 20 bases or more. There is some uncertainty to the Central pitching rotation, but look for senior Brandon Cichocki to be the ace of the staff.

10. Rochester Adams
Adams will be led by a lethal 1-2 punch in the batting order with seniors Alex Borglin and Alex Taylor who have plenty of power and hit for a very good average as well. Look for senior Sean Beyer to carry some of the load on the mound, and give a good balance to the Adams attack offensively.


Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack

Monday, April 9, 2012

Oakland County Baseball Preview - Top 20 Players

1. Matt Ruppenthal – Birmingham Brother Rice
Ruppenthal may be just a sophomore, but he doesn’t throw like one. With a variety of pitches to his arsenal and a lethal fastball, Ruppenthal might be the state’s top pitchers and he’s only going to get better. The super-soph is already well known outside of Michigan as he’s already given a verbal commitment to SEC power, Vanderbilt. Only a sophomore and is likely the best “pro-prospect” Oakland County has to offer.

2. Brett Sunde – Madison Heights Bishop Foley
Sunde, heading to Western Michigan, might be the most complete hitter around, as he hit well over .400 last season while driving in over 60 runs. Sunde is also a top notch defensive catcher with a rocket for an arm, so good luck to base runners looking to run on Bishop Foley.

3. Jake Balicki – Birmingham Groves
When you think of a power hitter, Balicki should be the first person that comes to mind. Last season, the first baseman drilled more than 10 home runs and hit nearly .500. But something that might separate the senior from anyone else in the County is his pitching, where he put together an ERA that was well under 2.00. Balicki has signed with Michigan.

4. Sterling Sharp – North Farmington
Sharp is yet another Oakland County pitcher that is starting to gain attention out of state, as the junior ace has lit up the radar gun with his deadly fastball that occasionally topped out in the 90’s last season. Sharp also proved to be a viable all-around player at shortstop last season as well with some defense and his ability to hit for good average.

5. Gabe Berman – Bloomfield Hills Andover
With a nickname like “The Babe” you better believe that this guy is all about power. Berman showed plenty of power last season with the bat, hitting about .450, but where he really flourished was on the mound where the right hander fanned nearly two batters per inning as a junior while holding a 1.43 ERA, and he’s only going to get better this season.

6. Nick Deeg – Lake Orion
The pitching trend continues here with Deeg who, much like Sharp has shown the ability to throw a fastball in the 90’s while also having a couple of other pitches that he has at his disposal. Think of Deeg as Lake Orion’s Randy Johnson, a tall power left hander pitcher who is not a stranger to strikeouts and it showed last year when he fanned 15 batters against Rochester Adams.

7. Jason Gamble – Walled Lake Western
Yes, another power arm in Oakland County and Gamble can really bring it with his high-80’s, low-90’s fastball and some of the best secondary pitches in Oakland County and last season held a sub-3.00 ERA for the Warriors. Gamble recently underwent surgery so he will likely be out for the first month or so, but should be ready to go for when Western makes its playoff push.

8. Logan Regnier – Novi
If you’re look for a “Mr. Everything,” look no further than Regnier who hits for average and power, but is also known to swipe a few bases once he gets on base. Regnier can also do some damage in the outfield with a rocket for an arm and has been known to throw out runners regularly from his center field spot.

9. Tommy Eng – Troy Athens
Another player from the “does it all” department, Eng is a speedster on the base paths, but hits for plenty of power and hit well over .400 last season. Eng is also a defensive specialist at shortstop, few can cover as much ground in the hole as he can and the senior has been known to make a spectacular play or two.

10. Dylan Peck – Clarkston
It seems like Oakland County always has a quality group of catchers and this year is no exception and Peck might be the best defensive catcher there is, and has proven to be more than reliable offensively over the past year or two for the Wolves.

11. Niko Gonzales – Stoney Creek
12. Will Schwartz – Birmingham Brother Rice
13. Matt Constance – Birmingham Brother Rice
14. Alex Borglin – Rochester Adams
15. Matt Avromov – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
16. Travis Ferguson – Birmingham Brother Rice
17. Cam Vieaux – Walled Lake Western
18. Alex Taylor – Rochester Adams
19. Emmerson Misch – Bloomfield Hills Andover
20. Griffin Harms – Birmingham Groves

5 Underclassmen to keep an eye on
1. Nick Plummer – Birmingham Brother Rice
2. Devin Rose – Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s
3. Brad Schaenzer – Lake Orion
4. Freddy Jehle – Birmingham Brother Rice
5. (tie) Mark Gossett – Catholic Central
5. (tie) Julian Jones – Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s


Twitter.com/JDeuceDullack