Prep Baseball Report

Division 3 Team Of The Week: Week 4 - Buchanan


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Michigan Senior Writer

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Division 3 Team Of The Week: Week 4 - Buchanan

BUCHANAN - Four outstanding pitchers and a strong catcher have been the catalyst for Buchanan’s 17-2 start to the 2021 campaign.

“Our pitching has been amazing,” noted Jim Brawley, head coach of the Prep Baseball Report Division 3 Team of the Week. “A lot of credit goes to coach Hoover.”

Matthew Hoover, Jack Branch, Drew Glavin and Macoy West have led the way on the mound for the Bucks, with Hoover, the 28th-rated junior RHP in Michigan, recording a team-high 56 strikeouts.

“They have kept us in games until someone comes up with a big hit,” Brawley said.

Buchanan has been in five one-run games to date, with Branch, Hoover and West all producing game-winning hits.

“There weren't many expectations,” Brawley admitted about this year’s squad. “Our best group of seniors lost out on an opportunity to play because of Covid.”

But with the development catcher Murphy Wegner and the pitching depth, Buchanan is making some noise in the 2021 season.

“I’m surprised how good Murphy Wegner has gotten behind the plate,” Brawley said about the 34th-ranked 2022 catcher in the state. “A lot of credit goes to coach Hinkel and how hard Murphy has worked.”

So how good has Buchanan been? Glavin has scored 26 runs himself while the pitching staff has only permitted 24 total runs. Glavin, Hoover and Branch are all hitting better than .400.

Designated hitter Deagan Huffman, outfielder Keeghan Pelley, first baseman Levi Zelmer and second baseman Cade Preissing, the 18th-rated sophomore shortstop in Michigan, have been major contributors to the success thus far. Zelmer, a senior, is a Mount St. Joseph football commit.

Bryson Monsma, Hunter Carrington and Paul Van Overberge are others competing for playing time for the Bucks, which have an 18-5 postseason record since 2015.

“Our continued success depends on staying healthy and continuing to compete for playing time,” Brawley said. “Above all else, putting team goals first and winning every pitch are the keys to success.”

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