CHEBOYGAN – Just like that, high school baseball season is over in Michigan.
In the Cheboygan area, we had our fair share of thrills, quality teams, and excellent players.
With the 2025 campaign done, here’s a few thoughts on area teams and what to watch for in 2026.
Inland Lakes still has deep run potential
The Inland Lakes Bulldogs have been dying to reach East Lansing for years, but it hasn’t quite worked out yet for Josh Vieau’s program.
Inland Lakes saw this season ended by East Jordan in the regional semifinals. Mental mistakes were a theme for the Bulldogs, who hurt themselves with fielding and other miscues that sunk their chances of topping the Red Devils.
As painful as it was for the Bulldogs, they’re going to feature an excellent returning squad next spring. Seniors Aidan Fenstermaker and Logan McMullen exit the program, but Inland Lakes still brings back a plethora of stars, including pitching ace Cash DePauw, Ty Kolly and Andre Bradford, who will all be seniors.
DePauw returned from a knee injury and transformed into one of the best pitchers in the Ski Valley, Kolly was superb in the infield and as a hitter, and Bradford was clutch offensively during the Bulldogs’ district semifinal triumph over Rogers City.
Nothing’s guaranteed, but the Bulldogs still have what it takes to get to East Lansing.
Also, Korbyn Russell, a future Michigan State Spartan, won’t be pitching for East Jordan in 2026.
Can Cheboygan rebound from tough campaign?
This was a tough spring for the Cheboygan Chiefs, results-wise.
The Chiefs could never quite put it together as they were plagued by poor defensive play. Cheboygan’s top two pitchers, Sean Postula, a Rochester Community and Technical College (Minnesota) signee, and James Charboneau, have graduated.
Next spring, the Chiefs will be counting on Charlie Godfrey, a solid pitcher and hitter. Nolan Schley, Mark Munger and Josh Clark, who all saw significant playing time, will also be back. Schley could establish himself as Cheboygan’s ace, while Munger has displayed power in his bat.
Let’s see how the Chiefs respond during their second year in the Northern Shores Conference.
Will Mackinaw City be special in 2026?
One team that didn’t feature a senior this spring was Mackinaw City, which finished second in the Northern Lakes Conference at 12-2 and went 22-7 overall.
All-conference first team performers Braylon Currie and Tyler Hingston will benefit the Comets when they’re seniors in 2026. Currie, the team’s ace, should break the Mackinaw City record for career pitching wins by the start of next season, while Hingston has been productive offensively and strong behind the plate at catcher. Ben Strittmatter, Knox Wilson and Wes House are also back.
The Comets have all the makings of a special team.
The only problem? Harbor Light’s still going to be a powerhouse. The Swordsmen had a sensational season, capturing a district title over the Comets and then topping Pickford in a regional semifinal. Like Mackinaw City, most of Harbor Light’s standout players will be back, which hurts the Comets’ hopes of winning conference and district crowns.
But either way you look at it, the NLC should be a lot of fun to watch in 2026.
What about Onaway?
It was a season of highs and lows for the Cardinals, but they still found a way to reach the district final. Though they fell short, they seemed to play their best late in the season.
The Cardinals graduate senior star Luke Lovelace as well as pitcher Mason Beebe, but they return Andrew Gulley, who had a stellar junior season offensively. Zach Schmoldt, Casey Kindt and Eli LaLonde will also be back after playing well this spring.
Onaway’s always been a team that I can’t quite get a read on, because you never know what you’re going to get. Just last year, they were regional champions, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach Trevor Wregglesworth finds a way to build a squad that was as competitive as the 2024 team was.
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: Final thoughts on 2025 season, looking ahead to 2026 with Cheboygan-area baseball teams
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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