The Hancock Bulldogs baseball team capped a breakthrough season by advancing to the Division 3 state quarterfinals, a first in school history, drawing praise from the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association.
Historic Recognition
The association recently announced postseason honors that spotlighted several key contributors, including senior Ben Keranen, who led the team with a .481 batting average and an OPS of 1.280, earning a spot on the All‑Region team as the sole representative from Hancock.
Joining Keranen on the recognized list were Connor Helminen, who finished the year with a .407 average and an OPS of .941, and Todd Kilpela, who posted a .338 average, an OPS of 1.047 and added 22 hits, five of them triples, plus a home run.
Catcher Caleb Isaacson contributed a .333 average and a 954 OPS while delivering one home run, and pitcher Nate Thompson served as the team’s second‑most effective arm, finishing 6‑2 with 48 strikeouts.
Coach Dan Stillson praised the group’s effort, noting that the recognition reflects the program’s rapid rise and sets a promising foundation for the coming years.