INDIAN RIVER – On a 70-degree day at Cooperation Park, Cash DePauw was in his zone.
On the mound, facing a close rival, DePauw looked in command, per usual.
While the Inland Lakes senior ace wasn’t quite perfect, he was dominant enough, and he looked like the DePauw that stymied several opposing offenses as a junior.
Just a few days after tossing a no-hitter against Boyne City, DePauw was in control against Onaway, striking out eight over four innings and fueling the Bulldogs to a 5-0 victory on Friday, April 17.
“For early on in the year, that’s what we expected out of him,” Inland Lakes coach Josh Vieau said. “We expected him to be dominant and pound the zone and throw strikes. He’s a hell of a pitcher.”
After sitting out his entire sophomore season because of a knee injury, DePauw returned and delivered an epic junior campaign by posting a 1.440 earned run average, which helped him earn all-Ski Valley, all-region and all-district honors. Most importantly, DePauw’s dominance on the mound was essential in the Bulldogs securing another district championship.
But as sweet as DePauw’s 2025 season was, he still has a bad taste because of how it ended.
The Bulldogs’ season came to an abrupt halt after DePauw was outdueled by former East Jordan ace Korbyn Russell, who kept the Inland Lakes offense off-balance during a regional semifinal at Rogers City. While the Bulldogs staged a late rally, it wasn’t enough as their dream of a trip to East Lansing fell short.
So, yeah, DePauw has a giant chip on his shoulder.
“Everything on our team’s mind is about getting to East Lansing,” DePauw said. “That’s been our main goal for the last four years and since my freshman year, when we went 31-1.”
With the returning talent they have – led by seniors like DePauw, Ty Kolly, Andre Bradford and Wyatt Hanel – the Bulldogs can make a deep postseason run in June. But much of it starts with DePauw, the talented, powerful ace that Inland Lakes is counting on to spearhead them in 2026.
When you watch DePauw pitch, there’s nothing but focus and determination. But when he’s at another position such as the outfield, he’s one of the most vocal players on his team, and he’s completely fine with it as he’s trying to instill confidence in his teammates.
“Last year was more of a jolly, trying-to-mess-around guy, but now I actually have to hone people in and get them locked in,” DePauw said. “I’m trying to keep everybody under control, including myself, not trying to get too positive or too down, but trying to be positive.”
If DePauw delivers like he did last season, he’ll undoubtedly establish himself as one of the greatest pitchers in Inland Lakes history, and his coach knows it.
“He does have that ability,” Vieau said. “He’s been lifting a lot of weight. You never want to be the guy who says I wish I would’ve lifted, so we’re trying to get him stronger and a little more flexible.”
DePauw’s career has been a unique one as it’s featured great highs such as dominating many opponents, but also lows like the injury problems he’s had to deal with.
But when you ask him about any of it, he keeps it real.
“You’ve just got to drop it and forget about it,” DePauw said. “Not everything is going to be a yellow brick road. You’ve got to find a way to fight through it.”
Inland Lakes hosts East Jordan in a Ski Valley doubleheader on Monday, April 20.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cash DePauw dominating early for Inland Lakes, but senior ace has big dream
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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