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Welcome Back, and Welcome Spring
Yes, I know it's been quite a while since I've last blogged on this site. In fact, it was in the last decade (Oct. 2009 to be exact). But don't worry, loyal followers, I'm still here. It's been a long winter, but spring sports are getting underway in Manchester, and it's an exciting time for all. Below is my column on the start of the new baseball, softball, track and boys golf seasons in Manchester.
Is it just me, or is the school year just flying by?
It doesn't seem that long ago that everyone was preparing for the first Friday night of football. And doesn't feel like just the other day seven Manchester wrestlers were competing in the state meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills and the varsity girls basketball team was toppling Cascades Conference behemoths Napoleon and Addison in the Class C state playoffs?
I guess time flies when you're having fun. But the good news is the fun will continue as it's now time for the Manchester spring sports team to take center stage.
With the weather getting warmer (at least last week) and the baseball, softball, track and boys golf teams returning to action, it's time to shake off the cabin fever of the past few months and jump into the excitement of a new season. Even better news for Manchester fans is the abundance of storylines surrounding each team this year.
The Manchester varsity baseball team has been knocking on the door the last couple of years, finishing second in the Cascades Conference. Last year, the Dutchmen tied a school record with 22 victories but fell short in the district final against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard. The returning players will certainly be motivated to make a deeper playoff run, especially with the Class C district tournament being held in Manchester this year. While head coach Corey Fether said that pitching depth, with eight or nine options to take the mound, is a strength, it's been the Dutchmen's hitting that's provided fireworks in the early going. After nearly erasing a five-run deficit in an opening day loss to Sand Creek, the Dutchmen rebounded by outscoring Adrian Madison and Morenci 43-5 in a pair of victories.
Next week will have a playoff-like feel to it as the Dutchmen host recent district nemesis Whitmore Lake April 13, then open league play at defending Cascades champion Michigan Center the next day.
Next Tuesday will also see the Manchester varsity softball team play its first home game since its magical run last year. With all but one player returning from last year's that won 24 games, it's most since 1991, and advanced to the Division 3 regional final, expectations remain high for the Flying Dutch.
So far, it appears that the team is embracing their lofty goals. After falling in a big hole early in the season opener, the Dutch fought back and thumped Sand Creek 19-12. They had a tough loss the next day at Adrian Madison, but recovered March 31 with a 6-3 win over Morenci. Despite only having two hits in the game, the Dutch were smart at the plate, drawing 16 walks and capitalizing on wild pitches.
Like the baseball team, the Dutch have extra motivation for another district crown, and the playoffs open in Manchester the first week of June.
A new era begins with the Manchester boys and girls track teams. Matt Hall takes over as the varsity boys' head coach while Nick Marshall is now the head coach of the girls team. Despite the fourth coaching change in the program over the last three seasons, Manchester has kept itself as a track force. Since 2005, the boys team has won three Cascades titles and finished second once, while the girls team won back-to-back league crowns in 2007-08. Manchester athletes have been regular visitors to the Division 3 state meet in each of those seasons.
The Manchester varsity boys golf team is the last one to start the season, teeing off April 13 at Onsted. Like the other spring teams, the Dutchmen have set their goals high for this year. Since 2002, Manchester has advanced to the state tournament in alternate years, making it in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. The Dutchmen return No. 1 flight golfer Nik Stetler, a good core of returning underclassmen and at last check…this is an even-numbered year.
With the temperatures starting to get warmer outside, the action promises to heat up on the diamonds, ovals and links in Manchester.
Stay tuned.
Is it just me, or is the school year just flying by?
It doesn't seem that long ago that everyone was preparing for the first Friday night of football. And doesn't feel like just the other day seven Manchester wrestlers were competing in the state meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills and the varsity girls basketball team was toppling Cascades Conference behemoths Napoleon and Addison in the Class C state playoffs?
I guess time flies when you're having fun. But the good news is the fun will continue as it's now time for the Manchester spring sports team to take center stage.
With the weather getting warmer (at least last week) and the baseball, softball, track and boys golf teams returning to action, it's time to shake off the cabin fever of the past few months and jump into the excitement of a new season. Even better news for Manchester fans is the abundance of storylines surrounding each team this year.
The Manchester varsity baseball team has been knocking on the door the last couple of years, finishing second in the Cascades Conference. Last year, the Dutchmen tied a school record with 22 victories but fell short in the district final against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard. The returning players will certainly be motivated to make a deeper playoff run, especially with the Class C district tournament being held in Manchester this year. While head coach Corey Fether said that pitching depth, with eight or nine options to take the mound, is a strength, it's been the Dutchmen's hitting that's provided fireworks in the early going. After nearly erasing a five-run deficit in an opening day loss to Sand Creek, the Dutchmen rebounded by outscoring Adrian Madison and Morenci 43-5 in a pair of victories.
Next week will have a playoff-like feel to it as the Dutchmen host recent district nemesis Whitmore Lake April 13, then open league play at defending Cascades champion Michigan Center the next day.
Next Tuesday will also see the Manchester varsity softball team play its first home game since its magical run last year. With all but one player returning from last year's that won 24 games, it's most since 1991, and advanced to the Division 3 regional final, expectations remain high for the Flying Dutch.
So far, it appears that the team is embracing their lofty goals. After falling in a big hole early in the season opener, the Dutch fought back and thumped Sand Creek 19-12. They had a tough loss the next day at Adrian Madison, but recovered March 31 with a 6-3 win over Morenci. Despite only having two hits in the game, the Dutch were smart at the plate, drawing 16 walks and capitalizing on wild pitches.
Like the baseball team, the Dutch have extra motivation for another district crown, and the playoffs open in Manchester the first week of June.
A new era begins with the Manchester boys and girls track teams. Matt Hall takes over as the varsity boys' head coach while Nick Marshall is now the head coach of the girls team. Despite the fourth coaching change in the program over the last three seasons, Manchester has kept itself as a track force. Since 2005, the boys team has won three Cascades titles and finished second once, while the girls team won back-to-back league crowns in 2007-08. Manchester athletes have been regular visitors to the Division 3 state meet in each of those seasons.
The Manchester varsity boys golf team is the last one to start the season, teeing off April 13 at Onsted. Like the other spring teams, the Dutchmen have set their goals high for this year. Since 2002, Manchester has advanced to the state tournament in alternate years, making it in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008. The Dutchmen return No. 1 flight golfer Nik Stetler, a good core of returning underclassmen and at last check…this is an even-numbered year.
With the temperatures starting to get warmer outside, the action promises to heat up on the diamonds, ovals and links in Manchester.
Stay tuned.
posted by Ed Patino at
12:30 PM
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