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With 2023 now in the past, PBR Michigan is eagerly anticipating bringing the state the best high school coverage that can be found anywhere in 2024. 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 2024 Team Previews that we have already completed, please click here.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2024 Team Preview, click here.

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Flint Powers Catholic Chargers

FLINT - Winning is a way of life in the Flint Powers Catholic baseball program and 2024 should be no different.

After reaching the state quarterfinals in 2022, the Chargers took another step forward last season advancing to the semifinals before losing 4-0 to eventual Division 2 state champion Grand Rapids Christian.

With most of that squad back, veteran head coach Tom Dutkowski is expecting another stellar season in his 42nd year at the helm.

“We have three first-team all-staters returning,” noted Dutkowski, who pointed to “long-term consistency” as what the program is known for, with 21 district, eight regional and two state titles since the school opened in 1970, averaging 20 wins per year in that time span.

Grant Garman, Isaac Sturgess and Connor Kelly are being counted on to help Powers make another run at a state championship, something done twice in school history - 1974 as well as 1980 when Dutkowski was an assistant coach.

Garman, the sixth-rated senior left-handed pitcher in Michigan, was 12-2 with 127 strikeouts in 79 innings a year ago, walking just 14 while posting a 0.615 ERA. A four-year starter and an Oakland commit, Garman also batted .435 in leading the Chargers to a 33-9 record.

Sturgess, a Michigan State signee, hit .413 with 46 RBIs, 55 runs scored, 11 doubles, four triples and one home run in 2023. A four-year regular in center field, the fourth-ranked senior outfielder in Michigan is also a mainstay on the mound, going 5-2 last season.

Kelly was first team all-state at shortstop with the four-year regular hitting .403 with four homers and 42 RBIs. The 13th-rated 2024 shortstop in the state, a Northwood commit, also had a 5-2 record pitching.

The Chargers did lose three dependable players to graduation that are now playing sports in college, catcher Garrett Wright (Mid-Michigan CC), outfielder Elijah Britton (walk-on at Tuskegee) and right fielder Jack Dawley (now playing junior hockey in Wisconsin). But the cupboard is far from bare with a number of standouts back to joining the all-state trio returning.

Fischer Hendershot, another four-year starter, returns after hitting .306 with 29 RBIs and one home run during an injury-plagued season. The 6-5 200-pounder, an Eastern Michigan commit who started at first and third base last season, is looking to make major contributions on the mound with a fastball that has touched 92. The 28th-ranked senior RHP in Michigan was 3-0 for the Chargers in 2023.

A pair of Mott Community College signees, Luke Dupuis and Gavin Darling, will start in the infield for Powers. Both three-year varsity players, Dupuis hit .385 last season and Darling .343 with 14 doubles and 27 RBIs. Dupuis will play second base while Darling, the 10th-rated 2024 third baseman in Michigan who is committed to Ohio Northern, will see time at third base and catcher.

Nik Stimac, who hit two home runs in the postseason last season, is back and will catch, DH and play corner infield. A Mid-Michigan CC recruit, Stimac hit .337 in 2023.

Two others being counted on this season are Michael Klein and Xander Wolschleger. A senior, Klein can play infield or outfield and also pitch, while Wolschleger, a junior, is expected to add depth to the pitching staff.

“Our strengths are experience, a poised approach to the task at hand, and elite competitiveness,” explained Dutkowski, who enters the 2024 campaign with an 836-531 career record. “We have a lot of good dudes who respect each other and the game itself. Stay humble, hungry, and be ourselves and the Chargers will be okay. And our coaching staff is outstanding, top to bottom.”

As usual, conference play will not be easy.

“The Saginaw Valley League is a grind every year,” Dutkowski concluded. “There are no expectations, but we plan to be ready for the first pitch on April 4th.”

2024 Spring Team Preview: Flint Powers Catholic Chargers

Team Name: Flint Powers Catholic
Head Coach: Tom Dutkowski
Division: 2
2023 Record: 33-9-1
2023 Tourney Finish: State Semifinals loss to Grand Rapids Christian
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 7/5

Coach Outlook: "We have an experienced, diligent group. Our short-term goal is to be ready for April 4th opener and then go from there."

2024 Team Strengths:

• We have balance: experience on the mound, on defense, and on offense. Our guys are determined ball players, tough competitors eager to put in the work to excel. And, they are hungry.

Top Returning Players:

• Grant Garman 5-11 175, P, L/L ‘23 all-state Dream Team, 12-2, .615 era, .435 BA; 127 K/14 BB in 79 inn. Oakland U commit
• Isaac Sturgess, 6-3 180 OF/P ‘23 Dream L/L Team selection; .413 BA, 11-2B, 4-3B, 1-HR, 46 RBI, 55 runs; 5-2 on mound; Michigan State commit
• Connor Kelly, 6-2 185 first all-State SS: .403 BA, 60 hits, 4HR, 42 RBI. 5-2 on the mound Northwood U commit
• Fischer Hendershot, 6-5 200, R/R, 3-0 in mound, .306 BA, 29 RBI, HR. Started slowly in ‘23 due to injury. EMU commit 

Class of 2024 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Luke Dupuis, 2B -Mott CC
• Gavin Darling, 3B/C-Mott CC
• Nik Stimac, C/ corner infielder- Mid-Michigan CC
• Michael Klein, middle inf/OF

Class of 2025 Prospects To Keep Eye On:

• Xander Wolschleger, R/R, 6-0 190 pitcher

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