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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Dutchmen seek district title

Regular season can be wiped out with long playoff run

By Ed Patino, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: May 31, 2007

With the high school baseball state playoffs ready to begin, the Manchester varsity baseball team finds itself in an unfamiliar situation.

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After being one of the favorites to make a deep run in the postseason, the Flying Dutchmen are one of the "dark-horses" in the Division 3 district tournament, which begins Saturday at Clinton High School.

Manchester (10-14, 6-8 Cascades) will open district play in the semifinals against either Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard or Whitmore Lake at 10 a.m. Those teams played the pre-district game Tuesday. Host Clinton faces Grass Lake in the other semifinal game at noon, with the winners meeting in the finals, which starts around 3 p.m.

The district champion will advance to the Division 3 regional tournament at Grass Lake.

Flying under the radar is something new to the Dutchmen. After all, Manchester won three straight district championships from 2003-05, winning or sharing the Cascades Conference title each year. Last season, the Dutchmen advanced to the district final where it was upended by Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard.

Despite an up-and-down season and a rare sub-.500 record, the Dutchmen feel they can make a run if they stay within themselves and shore up their defense.

"We're optimistic, and we know we can play with anyone," Manchester coach Corey Fether said. "Our hitting and pitching have been fine, but our fielding has struggled. We have to focus on making plays and not trying to do anything spectacular, and if we do that we'll have a great chance."

The Dutchmen bring a potent lineup into the district. As a team, Manchester is hitting .297 and has eight players batting .270 or better.

Ryan Galaska led the team with a .422 batting average, 35 hits, 19 RBIs and three home runs. Justin Welton was second on the team at .329, while Brandon Hone hit .308. Welton and Steve Mulcare tied for third on the team with 18 RBIs. Alex Kastanis hit .270 and led the Dutchmen in runs scored (19) and was second in RBIs (19). Jared Huber (.298), Will Rickert (.286) and Kevin Fielder (.284) have also provided offensive sparks for Manchester.

"Getting runs when we're in scoring position is going to be a key," Fether said. "We've been stranding the bases in every game lately."

One area in which the Dutchmen should have an advantage is pitching, as Manchester's rotation goes six pitchers deep.

Rickert had the best record, going 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA and was second on the team with 47 strikeouts. Galaska went 2-4, but had a team-high 61 strikeouts, a 1.68 ERA and two saves. Kastanis (1-3, 4.78 ERA) and Lukas Sweet (2-4, 4.81 ERA) give the Dutchmen more pitching options, while Welton and Mulcare provide added depth.

"I think our pitching is the deepest, and I'll put my number one against anyone," Fether said. "Grass Lake's ace pitches very well, but we have the most depth."

There is a chance the Dutchmen can open the district looking for payback. It was Gabriel Richard that surprised Manchester with a 10-inning victory in last year's district final, something this year's team hasn't forgot.

"I think the seniors want Gabriel Richard in the first game," Fether said. "Last year left a bitter taste, and they'd like to get some revenge."

According to Fether, the Irish (17-12) return several strong hitters from last year, but their pitching took a hit from graduation.

"They have four sophomore pitchers that are rotating," Fether said. "Whitmore Lake is around .500 but are playing better the last couple of weeks."

The Dutchmen played both Clinton and Grass Lake during the regular season. Clinton pulled out a 3-2 extra-innings victory in the Clinton Invitational finals May 19, while Manchester swept both meetings with Cascades-foe Grass Lake.

Fether believes neither team would be easy to face if they make the district final. Clinton will have the home-field advantage, while Grass Lake brings in a stronger team than past seasons.

"Clinton will play small ball, bunt around and look for you to make an error," Fether said. "Grass Lake could be anybody with their talent. If they play well and put it together, no one will beat them."