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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: Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart

MOUNT PLEASANT - It was far from a good tournament draw for Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in 2024. The second-ranked team in the state was beaten 3-0 in the district opener by Beal City, the eventual Division 4 state champions.

“We lost to the D-I pitcher who threw a perfect game in the state finals and was the MVP of the American Legion World Series in the summer,” Sacred Heart head coach Earl Hartman said in reference to Cayden Smith, now playing at Central Michigan.

The long-time mentor, currently in his 42nd year with an overall record of 877-412, has high hopes for the coming season with eight returning starters from a team that finished 32-5, including a 16-4 record against ranked teams.

“We only have two starters to replace but they are big shoes,” Hartman said of the loss of all-state catcher Connor Stempky and all-state first baseman Aiden Halliday, now playing college hockey and football, respectively.

Still, the optimism is certainly there with the return of three all-state players, shortstop Grady Pieratt, pitcher/center fielder Joe McDonald and left-handed hurler Brady Davis. An Alma commit, Pieratt, the Mid-State Activities Conference Player of the Year, hit .513 with 63 runs and 60 stolen bases last season. McDonald, a Hope College signee, had a .316 average with 36 runs scored while going 9-2 on the mound. Davis, second-team all-state a year ago, was 9-1 with a 0.44 ERA, while also hitting .393.

Three more senior starters are also back in third baseman Joe Boge (.388, 35 RBIs), DH/catcher Wyatt Browne (.316, 28 RBIs) and second baseman Ryan Wiggins (.303, 23 runs, 23 RBIs), an Olivet commit. Junior right fielder Noah Zeien (.329, 31 runs, 22 stolen bases) also returns for the Irish.

“The strength of this team is experience,” Hartman said. “We have five or six players with college baseball aspirations, three that are signed with D-3 programs. We have a pitching staff with 30 wins and just two losses returning. It’s a good group.

“But we must replace two major pieces of our offense. Plus, seven of our eight returning starters are on a basketball team that is very good and may still be playing when spring break occurs. Then we have three days after spring break to take on the toughest 24 hours of the schedule.”

It starts with a doubleheader against Beal City before facing D-I power Bay City Western 18 hours later.

Seniors Dylan Hunter (.273), Jackson Verleger (.250, 21 runs, 6 games pitched) and Luke Hacker (21 runs, 3 games pitched), who started in left field most of last year, bring more experience to the roster. Junior Teegan Duffy and sophomores Nate Siler and Hank McDonald are newcomers to watch according to Hartman, who points to “finding production in the middle” a key to success.

“Davis and Booge will likely slide up into those spots,” noted Hartman. “Quality of work behind the plate is another key. We don’t expect the level of defense Connor gave us, but consistency will do. Our pitching and defense is solid, and we think we can hit anybody.”

State champions in 1971 and 1996 with two other state final appearances, the program “tries to relate to life experiences, educational things you can’t emulate in the classroom,” Hartman said.

As for the 2025 squad, there is one additional thing that stands out according to the veteran mentor.

“This group overall loves baseball,” Hartman said.

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