Under first year head coach J.T. Scarpelli, Big Rapids certainly made some noise this year.

The Cardinals finished the season with a 26-7-1 record, including 18 of those wins coming in CSAA play. Big Rapids stood alone as the conference champions but ultimately fell in the first round of district play to Region 18 semifinalist Gladwin.

“We expect similar results as 2023 in 2024 but with a deeper postseason run,” head coach J.T. Scarpelli said.”

Big Rapids improved their win total by 10 games after a 16-15 season a year ago under coach Sam Daugherty. They also improved their average margin of victories to 3.64 runs as opposed to only 0.87 runs the year before.

The team was led by senior pitcher Ben Knuth, who made his last season in a Cardinal uniform count. Knuth finished with an 11-1 record and an astounding 0.754 ERA, which registers as the second lowest mark in school history and a MHSAA single season ERA record list spot. He also allowed a .149 batting average to opposing hitters.

“(He was) our ace,” Scarpelli said. “We had a chance to win every time he pitched. He was simply incredible all season long.”

Other notable seniors that performed well was Brett Root, who led the team in batting average with a .387 and a .514 on-base percentage. He also brought pivotal speed near the bottom of the order with 14 stolen bags. As the team’s long-tenured starting catcher and team leader, Wil Strickler led the team with 27 RBI’s and finished second with 39 hits. Future Lake Michigan College Redhawk Brody Sleeper provided a “huge bat” for Scarpelli’s squad. He also went 5-1 on the mound while allowing an opposing batting average of .208.

Some key returners next season for Big Rapids include Riley Vennix, who was a first team all-CSAA and all-District honoree. His speed near the top of the order led to 26 stolen bases and had a .470 on-base-percentage.

“(He) had some of the most consistently impressive at bats all season long,” Scarpelli said. “Riley is expected to be a significant contributor next season as well as a leader of the team.”

Mayson McNeilly, who led the team in hits with 39, Isaac Zocco, who paced the field with 41 assists, and Ty Gielczyk, who stood out with a 1.839 earned run average on the mound, are also slated to be key contributors for the next season.

“2024 has the potential to have at least that,” Scarpelli said. “The younger classes have the talent to fill vacancies and excel. These next few years will be fun.”