Pre-Season Preview: Hartland
February 18, 2013
By Matt Sandles
Hartland Head Coach Brian Morrison may have his best team since 2008, when former CMU Chippewa Zach Cooper was their ace. The Eagles only lost two key players from last year, although the loss of RHP/2B and leadoff hitter Jake Jessen, who now plays at Kellogg Community College and beat Lake Orion in the Regionals, will be a big one.
The Eagles are coming off of a 22-9 season (9-7 in the division) and return a senior-laden team. This group of seniors led the Eagles to a Regional championship last year, beating the vaunted Lake Orion Dragons in the Regional Championship game.
The Eagles are led at the plate and on the mound by Division I two-time All-State selection and Michigan State signee Jake Lowery. Lowery's fastball has been clocked as high as 91 MPH. Lowery is the No. 5 anked player in Michigan in our Class of 2013 rankings.
Another highly touted senior for the Eagles is Jordan Kesson. Kesson, a Toledo commit, is a complete ball player and may add another option on the mound this year. Primarily an outfielder and a first baseman with a power bat, we saw Kesson run his fastball up to 90 mph this past summer.
With the Lowery-Kesson combination, Hartland will be a very dangerous team this spring as they try to make a run to Battle Creek.
Other Players to Watch
2013
RHP/C Stephen Milarch
RHP/INF Anthony Villar
2014
LHP/1B/OF Alex Wagner.
INF Marcus Ziebold
2016
RHP/C John Baker