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2025 Spring Team Preview: University Liggett

March 3, 2025
Bruce Hefflinger
Michigan Senior Writer

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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.

Interested in attending a Prep Baseball Michigan event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2025 Spring Team Preview: University Liggett

GROSSE POINTE WOODS - University Liggett is back down to Division 3 this year and looking to make a statement.

“I like where we’re at,” noted second-year head coach Jay Ricci, who must replace four players that moved on to college. “Pitching is our strong suit. We have three at the top that are very high level.

“Defensively, we were great last year and I don’t expect that to change. The focus in the offseason has been on our bats. Opposing pitching last year was so good and we were inexperienced so that didn’t work out. This year we think we can be more successful there. With the talent we have, we have a chance.”

Mack Phillips, who had a 0.72 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 19 innings, is back and the Dayton commit will be joined by 6-7 210-pound right-hander Jackson Fetter, who had 51 Ks in 48 innings last season.

The return of Michigan commit Deagan Barr to Liggett adds to the excitement Ricci has about his team’s pitching. The fifth-rated junior right-handed pitcher in Canada, is back where he played as a freshman adding to a deep staff.

Juniors Kanaan Taylor, Javion Gray, Ravi Hines and Joey Harris add depth with their arms with a healthy Cam Veitengruber, the 46th-ranked senior right-handed pitcher in Michigan, bringing more talent to the mound. Gray had a 2.36 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 23 innings last season and Hines totaled 9.2 innings with a 1.60 ERA.

“If our pitching holds with what we think it will be, we have a chance to play the last day of the season,” Ricci said.

The Knights also look strong behind the plate with seniors Ben Wehrmann and Drew Johnson, a left-handed hitter expected to see most of his time at first base. Johnson hit .398 with 21 RBIs and 17 runs scored a year ago.

Fetter and Taylor also play first with Taylor, who had 13 steals last season, one of a handful of potential outfielders.

Eddie Narva, Phillips and Veitengruber join Taylor as players in the mix to see time at the corner outfield. Gary Stacy, who had 10 RBIs, 12 runs and 17 steals last year, is the “best center fielder in the state in my opinion” according to Ricci and anchors the outfield. Stacy is a three-sport standout who excels at hockey and has football offers as a running back.

The foursome of Hines, Barr, Gray and Harris will share playing time at second base, shortstop and third base, with Fetter also a possibility at third.

“These are all good kids that really enjoy playing baseball,” explained Ricci, whose squad ended last season at 17-17. “It’s nice to see them having fun. With all the distractions in high school, we’ve gotten back to having fun playing.”

With just two returning starters a year ago, Liggett got off to a slow start before coming up short on a state bid, leading 3-2 before giving up two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in the regional finals to fall to Trenton, 4-3.

“Last year we had 14 kids get 20 at-bats or more,” Ricci reflected. “With all those opportunities, they felt like they contributed. Most important is that their experience playing baseball at University Liggett is a positive one. We work hard to make that happen for each one of them and their family.”

Ricci points to strong leadership as a vital part of the program.

“We turned over the coaching staff when I took over,” Ricci noted. “We were able to get what I consider one of the best coaching staffs around. They had a ton of experience playing at high levels and with coaching and sending players to college. We want to give kids the opportunity to play after high school and we put a plan in place to do that.”   

With an experienced team back, a strong pitching staff, and a move down to Division 3 where Liggett won the state championship in 2021, the hopes for success in 2025 are high.

“The kids have lofty goals,” Ricci concluded. “They know where they want to be at the end of the year.”

2025 Spring Team Preview: University Liggett Knights

Team Name: University Liggett Knights
Head Coach: Jay Ricci
Division: 3
2024 Record: 17-17
2024 Tourney Finish: Quarter Finals loss to Trenton
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 6/8

Coach Outlook: "With our full coaching staff returning we are looking forward to another year with our players. The expectations are always high and we think this group has the work ethic and right attitude to have a great season."

2025 Team Strengths:

  • Experience
  • Pitching
  • Defense

Top Returning Players:

Mack Phillips, RHP, 2025 Dayton recruit

Deagan Barr, RHP, 2026 Michigan recruit

Jackson Fetter, RHP, 2025

Andrew Johnson, 1B, 2025

Class of 2025 Prospects:

Gary Stacy, OF

Cameron Veitengruber, RHP/OF

Ben Wehrmann, C

Eddie Narva, OF/RHP

Class of 2026 Prospects:

Kanaan Taylor, 1B/RHP

Javion Gray, MIF/RHP

Ravi Hines, MIF

Joey Harris, MIF/RHP

Class of 2027 Prospects:

Dominic Djurasaj, OF/LHP

Sam Van Culin, OF

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