Prep Baseball Report

PBR Team and Prospect Watch: Howell Highlanders vs Northville Mustangs



A great Northville team came from behind to take game one from Highlander's and right handed pitcher DJ Arnold, who demonstrated why he is a top player in the 2013 class. Arnold's fastball sat at 83-84 mph and he displayed good command of his breaking ball (74-75 with a few at 77).  Howell newcomer Ben Balgaard is one of the top middle infielders of the 2014 class.  He hit in the four-hole in game one had a go-ahead RBI. Balgaard, who stands at 6-foot-1, showed good agility and proved his quickness when in the field and at the plate.  Other top players for Howell include junior right handed pitcher, Tyler Bradner, senior outfielder Greg Cauley and senior left handed pitcher Josh Vyletel.  Howell took the nightcap at EMU's Oestrike Stadium 6-4. 

The Northville Mustangs showed great poise when taking game 1 from a 3-1 deficit winning 7-3.  A veteran led squad, the Mustangs have three players that have committed to play college ball and one undecided with more to come.  The commitments are left hand pitcher Jeff Gertley, Adrian College; infielder Connor Smith, Hillsdale College; and state ranked catcher Brett MacDonald going to Grand Valley State University. 

Right handed pitcher/third basement, Matt Stojkov, Class of 2012, is currently undecided. Stojkov demonstrated one of the strongest arms on the Mustangs and has been clocked in the mid-80's.  Junior right handed pitcher, Jake Hansen, comfortably sits at 79-81 and has touched 85 in the past. Look for his name down the road as the Mustangs look to be state contenders in 2012.