State Baseball Finals End with Thrilling Victories
Catholic Central, representing the powerhouse program in Michigan, captured the Division 1 state championship on Saturday, blanking Rochester Adams 7‑0. The victory was anchored by a dominant performance from pitcher Micky Laser, who tossed a complete‑game four‑hitter, and sophomore slugger Cam Swearingen, a Saginaw Valley commit whose bat helped fuel the offense. Head coach Ryan Rogowski said his intuition told him the team was poised for a title, a hunch that proved accurate.
In a contrasting narrative, St. Mary’s of Orchard Lake fought back from a 4‑0 deficit to win the Division 2 crown, outlasting Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 6‑4 in extra innings. Senior right‑hander Anthony Abela closed out the game, throwing the final five frames and allowing just one hit, while Tyler Shubnell delivered a clutch sixth‑inning double that shifted momentum. The win capped a 27‑game winning streak that had propelled the team into the championship conversation.
Meanwhile, Royal Oak Shrine’s historic run to the Division 4 semifinals fell short, as they were shut out 4‑0 by Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy. Sacred Heart went on to claim the Division 4 title the following day, underscoring the depth of talent across the state’s Catholic school circuit.
Both championships were overseen by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which coordinated the tournament schedule and awarded the trophies. The back‑to‑back triumphs highlighted the competitive balance within Michigan’s high school baseball landscape and set the stage for next season’s expectations.