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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: Spring Lake Lakers

SPRING LAKE - A Division 2 regional championship in his first season as head baseball coach has Bill Core excited about what lies ahead at Spring Lake.

“We should be a solid competitive team with seven starters returning from last year’s quarterfinal team,” noted Core, who led the Lakers to a 21-14 overall record including an 11-10 conference mark.

Three experienced pitchers from a squad that advanced to the state quarterfinals before losing 7-2 to Forest Hills Eastern bring optimism on the mound led by Zane Stahl, a 6-6 215-pounder ranked 81st in the nation among senior right-handed pitchers. The Louisville commit, the third-rated 2024 in Michigan, was 6-5 with a 1.77 ERA a year ago, striking out 91 in 67 innings in earning all-district honors.

Will May, the closer last season, will move into a starter’s role in 2024 with the senior, who batted .250 a year ago, playing third base when not pitching.

Sophomore left-hander Oliver Smies was 2-2 with a 1.31 ERA as a freshman and brings more experience back to Spring Lake. Smies, who hit .256 a year ago, will also play outfield for the Lakers.

Unfortunately, junior left-hander Ryan Grimm, who was 6-0 with a 1.00 ERA a year ago, will miss this season due to a knee injury adding to the holes to fill after losing all-league pitcher Gerrit Lyyski and outfielder Derrick Paggeot to graduation.  

The infield will be a strength for Spring Lake, anchored by four-year starter Zach Schlepp. The 33rd-rated senior shortstop in the state earned district honors last season after scoring 32 runs, stealing 16 bases and carrying a .231 average.

Junior speedster Jaden Core is back at second base after batting .264 with a .943 fielding percentage his sophomore season. 

Sophomore Owen Smies will return behind the plate with the Spring Lake catcher coming off a .354 season as a ninth-grader.

Junior Gabe Trask, a left-handed hitter who “can play anywhere” according to Core, brings more experience to the Lakers following a 2023 season in which he had a .286 average, striking out just twice in 77 at-bats.

“A Division I starting pitcher, experience and versatility are our strengths,” noted Core, the head basketball coach at Spring Lake who just led the Lakers to regionals. “But we need to hit consistently through the lineup.”

Promise to the program comes from a number of newcomers in juniors Alex Batka, Dayton Clark, Hayden Roll, Mason Roll and Colin Nielson along with sophomore Maddux Kipling. According to Core, Batka features a good glove and arm, Clark has versatility and athleticism to play all over the field, Hayden Roll is a catcher with speed, Mason Roll an outfielder with good range and Nielsen is a physically strong pitcher/outfielder while Kipling “will compete to be one of the top starting pitchers.”

Defending champion Allendale (15th) is among four OK Conference Blue Division teams ranked in the preseason state poll along with Coopersville (ninth), Fruitport (17th) and Spring Lake (sixth).

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