After a 25-8 regular season and their 18^th straight Highland conference title, Beal City baseball wants more.

The Aggies have won five consecutive games to reach Friday’s state semi-final game against Southwestern Athletic Conference power Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep. This includes defeating Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart 12-1 for a District 109 title, a 10-0 win over Maple City Glen Lake for a Region 27 championship and avenging an early season loss to Fowler with a 11-2 victory in the state quarterfinal game last Saturday.

“My guys are excited for the opportunity to get back to East Lansing and hope we can achieve the ultimate goal and play for a state championship,” Head coach Brad Antcliff said. “(It) just goes to show hard work and dedication to each other is paying off.”

With redemption on their mind from last year’s heartbreaking state championship loss to Riverview Gabriel Richard, the Aggies have had hot bats averaging 10.6 runs per game in their five postseason games played.

They have also only allowed four runs in these contests thanks to stellar pitching, led by junior and Kent State commit Cayden Smith.

When asking Coach Antcliffe on what the team needs to do to bring home a state title, he said they’ve got to follow their game plan.

“To win it all, we need to play Aggie Baseball. Take care of the little things and have a lot of fun.”

 

First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m. from Drayton McLane Baseball Stadium in East Lansing.

 

You can watch the game here: 

2023 MHSAA Div 4 Baseball Semifinals #1 Kalamazoo Hackett Cath Prep vs Beal City - 06/16/2023 | Live & On Demand (nfhsnetwork.com)

 

*Photo provided by Brad Antcliff