Brad Guenther leads attack for last season's Division 1 runner-up; Forest Hills Northern pursuing another state girls track title.
Saline, an Ann Arbor-area school, has started 10-1 under coach Scott Theisen and boasts one of the state's top players in catcher Brad Guenther.
Guenther, a catcher, is batting over .700 in the third slot and helped the Hornets reach the Division 1 title game a year ago.
“Brad is the captain of our defense and the emotional leader of our team behind the plate.” Theisen said. “He's very athletic and is able to make plays that other catchers couldn't but he's so athletic and moves so well. He works hard in the offseason. He works to correct holes in his swing. Right now, it's paying off. He's off to a terrific start. He's the kid who makes things happen.”
Guenther is batting .718 right now. He was all-state honors after hitting .369 last season.
“I worked hard in the offseason and that's starting to pay off,” Guenther said. “Things are going my way. I'm seeing the pitches well. I have one home run but I have a few extra base hits. I've got some speed too.”
Baseball: News and notes* In the Detroit-area this week, Allen Park swept Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes 12-2 and 11-1. Nathan Ehrad had five hits, three runs and four RBI on the day for the winners while Matt Kling and Ray Yesh had four hits and four RBI apiece.
* Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood blanked Harper Woods 25-0 with Daniel duComb pitching a no-hitter and striking out seven and Alex Loewenstein getting three hits and four RBIs.
* Brighton, an Ann Arbor-area school, has started off the season at 13-0 and this week had a 9-5 and 11-10 doubleheader sweep over Walled Lake Northern. Lucas Hamilton ripped a walk-off grand slam in the second game for Brighton.
* Northville improved to 8-1 with a 15-0 and 19-3 sweep over Plymouth. Ryan Mullen had three home runs and five RBIs for the winners.
Girls Track and FieldGrand Rapids Forest Hills Northern has some of the best talent in the state as the defending state champions. Keith Boeve coached FHM last year and Stephanie Hare is hoping to guide the team all the way again.
“Many of the key performers on the state title team were seniors, but we do have some talented girls returning as well," Hare said. "Areil Holt is a key returner in the sprints, Maria Ervin in distance events, Abby Timmer in the high jump, and Cassidy Bradley in the throws.”
In a recent 88-48 FHN victory over Belding, Holt took first in the 100-meter dash in 13.25 seconds and 200-meter dash in 28.76 seconds. Timmer cleared the high jump in 5-2.
“This team is still young and rebuilding. They continue to work hard everyday and we will see where that will take us,” Hare said. “We have been performing well. The weather has not been ideal but we are still improving every meet. I am happy with how the girls are coming along every meet.
“The key to continued success this year is for our seniors to help lead our young runners. We have a lot of freshman and sophomores that are going to be counted on to score points.”
