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With 2024 now in the past, Prep Baseball Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2025. Starting in February, we began releasing team previews for squads across the state. Ahead, we will have Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings coming your way.

To view the full list of 2025 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2025 Team Preview, click here.

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2025 Spring Team Preview: Forest Hills Eastern

ADA - The accomplishments have been plenty at Forest Hills Eastern in the nine years Ian Hearn has been at the helm.

A state title in 2022 and a Final 4 appearance a year later have been the highlights for the 10th-year head coach, along with Academic All-State recognition six times. There have also been four straight league titles for the Hawks, winners of the O-K Conference Gold Division during a 28-9 campaign a year ago.

“We work hard to get down into the youth,” Hearn explained about the success at Forest Hills Eastern. “We want to sustain and want it to grow. That’s an important piece of the program. We have a lot of good players that are working hard to develop something to make our alumni proud.”

An impressive group of five pitchers headlines the 2025 edition of Forest Hills Eastern, which opens the season with three non-league doubleheaders beginning March 27.

“We have good depth with a good mix of different arm slots, different heights, different release points, some with velocity as well,” Hearn noted. “And all command the zone.”

Cam Pallo, the eighth-rated junior right-handed pitcher in Michigan, is back after breaking an ankle right before the postseason last season. A second baseman when not pitching last year, Pallo, who will be at first this season after hitting .275, was 5-0 with a 0.946 ERA in 2024. Landen Lindley, a Southeastern Illinois JC commit, missed the 2024 campaign but brings promise this year as the 33rd-ranked 2025 RHP in the state.

A pair of seniors, Max Ferrick and Manel Conners, also return for the Hawks. An all-state honoree last year, Ferrick was 8-0 with a 0.556 ERA, fanning 70 in 50.1 innings. Conners, the 215th-ranked 2025 in Michigan, was 4-3 with a 1.51 ERA last season, striking out 46 in 46.1 frames.

Colton Brinks, the 38th-rated junior RHP in the state, rounds out the returnees after throwing 46.1 innings a year ago, going 6-2 with a 1.36 ERA.

Ferrick, the sixth-rated 2025 outfielder in Michigan, also had a big season at the plate last season with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs and 30 RBIs and will anchor the outfield for Hearn’s squad.

Brendan Thompson, the 12th-ranked senior in Michigan, is back to play shortstop with James Dempsey, the sixth-rated 2025 catcher in the state, returning behind the plate. Thompson, a Cal-State Bakersfield commit, batted .432 with 26 RBIs a year ago while Dempsey, an MIT signee, hit .364 with three triples, two home runs and 15 stolen bases while driving in 21 runs.

“We have a good balance of quality returners and quality new players that will contribute,” Hearn said. “We have depth on the pitching staff and we have a really fast team.”

Juniors Kenric Penkevich and Ben Fausey, part-timers last season, are being counted on to help in the infield with Penkevich adding another arm to the staff.

“Consistent improvement is the key,” concluded Hearn, who says the league race is up for grabs as usual this year. “We just have to consistently improve and stick with the process.”

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