Here is an overview of the high school baseball teams in Greater Lansing. This reflects information submitted by area coaches.
CAAC BLUE
Coaches’ predictions: 1. Okemos, 2. Grand Ledge, 3. DeWitt, 4. Holt, 5. East Lansing, 6. Waverly, 7. Everett
Top players: Joseph Bobeda, DeWitt; Jacob Metzger, Holt; Jimmy Pignataro, Okemos; Keegan Noble, Okemos; Ray Smith, Okemos; Paul VanDam, East Lansing; Joe Zubal, DeWitt
DeWITT
Last season: 17-12 (2nd)
Coach: Alan Shankel (17th season)
Top returners: Jake Smith (sr.) SS/P, Sam Leonard (sr.) OF/P, Joseph Bobeda (jr.) OF/P, Joe Zubal (jr.) 3B/P, Jake Schorfhaar (sr.) 1B/P
Other contributors: Lucas Brandell (sr.) OF, Liam Stone (jr.) 2B/P, Cole Hagle (so.) C/P
Outlook: The Panthers will lean on a large junior class as it replaces the production of a trio standouts from their 2025 squad. DeWitt returns its top pitchers in Zubel and Hagle and six starters in the field. Zubal, Leonard, Bobeda, Smith and Schorfhaar are returning all-league performers.
EVERETT
Last season: 6-17
Coach: James Radick (1st season)
Top returners: Emmett Leidi (sr.) 1B/3B/C, Isaiah Fundunburks (so.) SS/OF/P, Juan Carlos Lopez Salgado (sr.) 1B/3B, Owen Prevo (so.) P/1B
Other contributors: Lupe Nelson (jr.) C/SS, Kannan Ransberry (sr.) OF, Jesse Orta (sr.) IF
Outlook: The Vikings are hungry to be competitive and change the narrative around their baseball program. Leidi and Fundunburks are varsity veterans who will be key for Everett in its quest to change their fortunes this spring.
HOLT
Last season: 13-19-1 (4th)
Coach: Patrick Kayser (1st season)
Top returners: Jacob Metzger (jr.) P/SS/OF, Luke Redd (sr.) P/1B/OF, Ethan Parce (jr.) C/P/SS/3B, Bryson DeSmith (sr.) OF, Jackson Webster (sr.) P/1B
Other contributors: Luis Martinez (fr.) P/C/IF, Aidan Keener (fr.) P/OF/1B, Ethan Cascaddan (jr.) P/OF, Austin Vandiver (sr.) SS/2B/3B/P, Julian Edmond (sr.) OF/DH
Outlook: Metzger and Redd are varsity veterans who were all-league performers last spring. They will lead a young squad that new coach Kayser said is scrappy and eager to prove themselves. Holt has high expectations and aims to be among the best in the CAAC Blue and reach the Diamond Classic.
OKEMOS
Last season: 25-12, 11-1 (1st)
Coach: Raul Presas (6th season)
Top returners: Keegan Noble (sr.) SS/P, Ray Smith (sr.) 1B/P, Jimmy Pignataro (sr.) 1B/3B/P, Sebastian Blair (sr.) P/OF, Gabe Hart (sr.) C, James Poletes (jr.) OF/P, Carter Haremski (jr.) OF/P, Caleb Wilkinson (jr.) IF/P, Ryan Adams (jr.) OF/P, Henry Schnelker (jr.) IF/P, Brett Burak (jr.) C/OF
Outlook: The Wolves are chasing a fourth consecutive league title and have a large cast of returning players. Okemos has all but three players back from a 2025 squad that reached the regional finals and has high aspirations. Staying healthy and geting timely hitting and pitching will be key for Okemos as it chases its high goals.
WAVERLY
Coach: Aaron Wresinski (1st season)
Top returners: Jackson DeLong (sr.) OF/P, James Darnell (sr.) 1B, T.J. Stewart (sr.) P/IF, James (Tre) Combs (jr.) P/IF/OF
Other contributors: JJacob Dunn (sr.) IF/P, Gabe Helmick (jr.) C/P, Joey Hand-Diaz (jr.) UT, Jordan Ortega (fr.) P/IF
Outlook: DeLong and Combs are varsity veterans who the Warriors will lean on to spark their offense, while Stewart will be avleader on the mound. Wrenski said Waverly has a solid group of seniors and a good mix of younger talent.
CAAC RED
Coaches’ predictions: 1. Williamston, 2. Mason, 3. St. Johns, 4. Haslett, 5. Fowlerville, 6. Eastern
Top players: Austin Beals, St. Johns; Zach Curtis, Haslett; Colton McCaleb, Mason; Ryan Myers, Mason; Kaleb Nielson, Williamston; Brett Palmer, Williamston; Ayden Smith, Haslett; Hunter VanSickler, Williamston
EASTERN
Last season: 9-21 (6th)
Coach: Chris O’Bryant (10th season)
Top returners: Devin Spade (sr.) CF, Beckett Stevens (sr.) P/C/OF, Matthew Morse (sr.) 1B/P, Alejandro Eno (so.) 3B/P
Other contributors: Jordan Castellano (fr.) SS/P, Manny Hernandez (fr.) 2B/3B/OF, Alex Holmes (jr.) UT/P
Outlook: Spade and Eno were honorable mention all-league players and highlight the returners for Eastern. Spade, Stevens and Morse are each in their third seasons on varsity.
HASLETT
Last season: 13-17, 3-6
Coach: Hudson Whitmore (6th season)
Top returners: Ayden Smith (sr.) SS, Zach Curtis (sr.) C, Kai Schaefer (sr.) OF, Jacob Rienstra (sr.) DH/P, Henry Block (so.) P
Other contributors: Jackson Barager (so.) P/3B, Lawrence Suiounoa (so.) P/OF/1B, Ryan Wescott (jr.) UT
Outlook: Smith and Curtis are third-year varsity players who were all-league selections last season to highlight the returners for the Vikings. Haslett has its top four hitters from its lineup back and Whitmore expects hitting to be the strongest it has been during his tenure as coach. Pitching is more of an unknown but the Vikings hope for an improved season and to finish in the top half of the CAAC Red.
MASON
Last season: 32-8 (1st)
Coach: Kohl Tyrrell (8th season)
Top returners: Colton McCaleb (sr.) P/IF/OF, Ryan Myers (sr.) P/IF, Travis Davis (sr.) IF/P, Carson Chapin (sr.) OF, Joey Schild (sr.) IF, Hayden Hendrickson (sr.) OF, Kohlton Tyrrell (jr.) IF, Gerrit Koot (jr.) C/IF, Logan Davis (so.) OF/IF/P, Brayden Carl (sr.) IF/P, Alex Engel (sr.) P
Other contributors: Hunter Thorne (jr.) IF/C,, Carter Kilmon (jr.) OF/P, Noah Greenlee (sr.) OF/P, Isaac Branton (jr.) IF, Anthony Hayt (jr.) IF/P, Conor Vondra (jr.) OF
Outlook: The Bulldogs made history in 2025 by winning just the program’s second district title and then going on to win their first regional championship while advancing to the Division 2 state semifinals. Mason aims to build on that success with several experienced varsity players returning. McCaleb, Myers, Travis Davis, Schild, Chapin, Engel and Hendrickson are each in their third or fourth years on varsity, while several underclassmen will fill key roles.
ST. JOHNS
Last season: 3rd
Coach: Jake Parker (16th season)
Top returners: Austin Beals (sr.) P/IF, Nolan Koenigsknecht (sr.) P/IF, David Thelen (sr.) P/SS, Nick Schafer (jr.) P/IF/OF, Avin Wright (jr.) C, Caleb Vincent (jr.) P/OF/IF
Other contributors: Easton Curtin (jr.) OF, Collin Buzinkski (so.) C/IF/P, Connor Barber (fr.) P/OF
Outlook: Pitching should be a strength for the Redwings, who have their top two pitchers back and four of their top five arms. Parker expects that to keep St. Johns competitive as it challenges for a league title and a spot in the Diamond Classic. St. Johns will have a young batting lineup, but will lean on a trio of key senior returners in Beals, Koenigsknecht and Thelen.
WILLIAMSTON
Last season: 31-7 (T-1st)
Coach: Ryan Orr (4th season)
Top returners: Hunter VanSickler (sr.) CF, Hawk Harding (sr.) 3B/1B/P, Brett Palmer (sr.) 1B/P, Kaleb Nielson (sr.) LF/P, Jack Hart (sr.) UT/P, Miles Keener (sr.) RF/P, Rudy Marinez (sr.) 2B/3B/P, Grady Langdon (sr.) OF/P
Other contributors: Brady Elizondo (jr) SS/3B/P, Tobin Smith (jr.) SS/2B/P, Parker Friess (jr.) OF, Tyler Bryan (jr.) C
Outlook: The Hornets set a school record with 31 victories last spring and have all but one starter returning. Williamston has 10 seniors on its roster and has a talented and experienced roster featuring a Grand Valley commit in VanSickler. Nielson (Grand Rapids CC), Langdon (Cleary) and Harding (Lansing CC) are the other college commits for Williamston. Orr believes the Hornets will be capable of winning games in a lot of ways and said they are motivated to win the final game of the season.
CAAC WHITE
Coaches’ predictions: 1. Portland 2. Lansing Catholic, 3. Charlotte, 4. Olivet, 5. Eaton Rapids, 6. Ionia, 7. Lakewood, 8. Sexton
Top players: Ty Bowzer, Charlotte; Karter Jackson, Charlotte; Owen Moore, Portland; Gunnar Williams, Portland
CHARLOTTE
Last season: 23-14, 7-5
Coach: Lance Beasley (5th season)
Top returners: Jackson Stewart (sr.) P/OF, Ty Bowzer (sr.) IF/P/OF, Ethan Cheyne (jr.) P/OF, Karter Jackson (jr.) C/P/IF, Mason Croley (sr.) OF/P/1B, Nolan Apala (jr.) C/P/IF
Other contributors: Ty DeLeeuw (so.) IF/P/C, Cam Place (so.) 1B
Outlook: Croley, Bowzer and Stewart are fourth-year varsity players who were all-league performers in 2025. The Orioles have nearly their entire roster back from a strong 2025 that featured a Diamond Classic appearance and will rely on a standard established last season featuring grit, chemistry and selfless play.
LANSING CATHOLIC
Last season: 20-7 (2nd)
Coach: Dillon Reust (2nd season)
Top returners: Ethan Linc (jr.) SS/2B, Noah Jungwirth (sr.) P/OF, Elijah Jungwirth (jr.) P/1B, Jason Boldman (so.) P/IF, Connor Weber (jr.) P/IF, Watson Ferreir (so.) C/OF, Anthony Branoff (so.) OF/P
Other contributors: Drew Reece (fr.) C, Chase Moreno (fr.) P/IF, Isaac Gallegos (fr.) IF/OF
Outlook: Linc and Noah Jungwirth are in their third seasons on varsity and will try to help the Cougars contend for a CAAC White title.
PORTLAND
Last season: 23-8, 12-0 (1st)
Coach: Chris Trierweiler (12th season)
Top returners: Brody Moore (sr.) C, Hudson Martin (jr.) P/IF, Max Sandborn (sr.) P/IF, Gunnar Williams (sr.) P/IF
Other contributors: Mason Vallier (sr.) P/OF, Gavin Werner (sr.) OF, Brad Meyers (sr.) OF, Trevor Smith (sr.) OF
Outlook: Moore, Martin, Sandborn and Williams are all-league selections back for the Raiders from a squad that won a league title and finished as the Diamond Classic runner-up. Trierweiler said Portland has a solid core of experienced players and that Portland has a dedicated group that has put in many extra hours.
SEXTON
Last season: 0-26 (8th)
Coach: Eric Kumor (2nd season)
Top returners: Christopher Roper (sr.) DH, Christian Charles (sr.) CF/1B/P, Jah’Reice Kelso-McKinney (sr.) 2B/P, Kah’Reice Kelso-McKinney (sr.) SS/CF/P, Antonio Melvin (sr.) UT
Outlook: Roper is a fourth-year varsity player, while Charles and twin brothers Jah’Reice and Keh’Reice Kelso-McKinney are each in their third seasons. They are among nine seniors on the roster for the J-Dubbs, who hope to be improved and have a goal of winning the city tournament
CMAC
Coaches’ predictions: Portland St. Patrick, 2. Pewamo-Westphalia, T-3. Fowler, T-3. Laingsburg, 5. Saranac, T-6. Bath, T-6. Lansing Christian, 8. Perry, 9. Potterville
Top players: Nolan George, Pewamo-Westphalia; Brady Leonard, Portland St. Patrick; Noah Schafer, Fowler; Jerryd Scheurer, Portland St. Patrick; Charlie Thelen, Portland St. Patrick
FOWLER
Last season: 15-11 (3rd)
Coach: Glenn Pung (8th season)
Top returners: Noah Schafer (sr.) SS/P, Trevor Spicer (sr.) 1B/P, Drew Weber (jr.) OF/P, Becket Hanson (so.) IF/P, Jack O’Hare (so.) 3B/P, Jessie Andros (so.) C/P/OF
Outlook: Schafer and Spicer are fourth-year varsity players and among what Pung said is a solid group of veterans returning for the Eagles. Those experienced players combined with a group of talented youth has Fowler hopeful it can be in the mix for a CMAC title.
LAINGSBURG
Coach: Todd Randall
Top returners: Liam Esch (sr.) OF, Everett Rodriguez (sr.) IF/P, Jake Rivet (sr.) IF/P, Quinton Garcia (so.) OF/P, Paxton Rodriguez (so.) IF/P, Colton Heaton (jr.) OF/P, Harrison Dorman (jr.) IF/P
Other contributors: Cooper Morr (jr.) IF/P, Eli Morr (fr.) C, Dez Herold (fr.) IF/P, Titan Sindel (fr.) IF/P
Outlook: The Wolfpack will have a young squad but hope to be competitive by leaning on their upperclassmen for leadership. Laingsburg’s mission is to put itself in the mix to be at the top of a strong CMAC.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Last season: 16-14 (2nd)
Coach: Trey Bauer (2nd season)
Top returners: Logan Drysdale (sr.) C, Nolan George (sr.) P/SS, Hayden Smith (jr.) 1B, Alex Drysdale (so.) CF/P
Other contributors: Will Huhn (jr.) P/IF, Brandy Kramer (so.) IF/P, Andrew Kriss (so.) UT
Outlook: Logan Drysdale and George are third-year varsity players who were all-league and all-district selections in 2025. Competing for a CMAC title and making a postseason run are goals for P-W, which hopes to build off a league runner-up finish from last spring.
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
Last season: 1st
Coach: Bryan Scheurer (21st season)
Top returners: Charlie Thelen (sr.) C/IF/P, Brady Leonard (sr.) P/OF, TJ Chamberlain (sr.) OF/P, Hudson King (sr.) OF, Jerryd Scheurer (jr.) SS/P, Tyler Thelen (jr.) 1B/P, Logan Howe (jr.) IF/C/P, Isaiah Rockey (jr.) IF/P, Ben White (jr.) OF, Sean Fedewa (jr.) P/IF/UT
Other contributors: Mason Simon (jr.) OF/P, Caleb Pline (jr.) OF/IF
Outlook: Charlie Thelen and Jerryd Scheurer are varsity veterans who are returning all-state players for the Shamrocks, who ended 2025 by capturing the Division 4 state championship. Leonard and Tyler Thelen are among the other key returners for St. Patrick, which has goals of duplicating its success from a 2025 season that saw it earn a Diamond Classic invite, win the CMAC and capture a state championship. Coach Scheurer said keeping pitching arms healthy will be a key towards achieving those goals.
OTHERS
FULTON
Last season: 31-6 MSAC
Coach: Jeremy Stephens
Top returners: Bryson Sattler, Parker Billings, Connor Cunningham, Robert Kral, Gibby Jason
Other contributors: Jennings Burley (so.)
Outlook: Stephens said the Pirates have a good group of seniors who the program will look to in its efforts to challenge for MSAC and district championships.
ITHACA
Last season: 15-17, 5-5
Coach: Tim Palmer (3rd season)
Top returners: Carson Shankel (jr.) P/C, Connor McMurphy (jr.) P/SS, Brady Paradise (sr.) P/OF, Greyson Merchant (so.) P/OF
Other contributors: Hayden Hull (jr.) P/IF, Wylie Martyn (so.) C/IF, Jaxson Whitmore (fr.) P/IF
Outlook: The Yellowjackets hope to find success and challenge for a league title.
LESLIE
Last season: 24-16
Coach: Rich Bradford (2nd season)
Top returners: Henry Bradford (sr.) SS/P, Hudson Phillips (sr.) 1B/P, Jackson Fossitt (jr.) P/OF/1B, Jon Swagart (jr.) OF/3B, Chase Ctlark (jr.) 2B/OF, Easton Hawkins (so.) P/3B/OF, Tucker Newland (so.) OF/C/2B/P, Mike Swagart (so.) C/2B/OF
Other contributors: Joel Cranmore (jr.) IF/OF/P, Landon Craig (fr.) C/IF, Haden Norton (fr.) 1B/P/OF
Outlook: Fossitt is committed to Kentucky and is joined by Henry Bradford as returning all-state selections for the Blackhawks. Coach Bradford said Leslie has a good group returning and believes his squad could be good if it fills a couple of positions held by last year’s seniors.
OWOSSO
Last season: 24-12 (2nd Flint Metro)
Coach: Ernie Rivers (2nd season)
Top returners: Eden Ackley (sr.) IF//P, Jackson Sydow (sr.) P/IF, Harrison Sydow (sr.) P/IF, Cy Thompson (jr.) P/UT, Ryan Maier (jr.) IF/P, Liam Patrick (sr.) OF, Jackson Valasek (jr.) IF/P
Outlook: The Trojans expect to be in the mix for a conference title again and have several key returners. Ackley and Patrick are third-year varsity players who were all-league selections last season for Owosso.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Get to know the Greater Lansing high school baseball teams
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
