Petoskey hoping to put the pressure on, swipe another couple wins Saturday
CHEBOYGAN — There are a lot of ways to get into the mind of an opponent and put the pressure on.
The Petoskey baseball team isn't waiting around to do so in 2025. They're pushing the envelope and turning up the pressure on the base paths.
Advertisement
And opponents are crumbling to the pressure along the way.
With 132 steals as team this season, it's the most bags the Northmen have swiped in at least over a decade, after 95 last season and nearly as many as 2022 and 2023 combined. Over the previous seven seasons, Petoskey had averaged just 74.
Their 92.96% success rate is also the highest since an even 93% in 2021.
'It feels good because I've definitely been one of the top guys doing it and it feels good to be (running) more,' Petoskey senior Drew Olson said. 'I just like being aggressive and it puts the runners in scoring position.'
Petoskey senior Drew Olson has taken 28 bags on the base paths this season, leading the charge for a team that's taken more than 130 for the season.
Olson leads the way with 28 steals for the season, often out of the No. 2 hole for the Northmen. His 28 are the most for a Petoskey player since Keaton Walker's 28 in 2019 and the first time a PHS player has eclipsed 20 in a season since Walker.
Advertisement
Olson might be leading the charts, but he's not alone. AJ Speigl has taken 25 bases and Haden Janes owns 23 steals. Three more have taken double digits.
Petoskey's Speigl: The colors might have changed, but Petoskey's Speigl is still coming up big in postseason
While he hasn't been opposed to sending guys in the past, Petoskey head coach Shawn Racignol wants to take advantage of the speed he feels this group possess.
'I'd say this has been the best overall team speed that we've had,' Racignol said. 'There's not a guy in the lineup that can't swipe a bag. We've just got to have the right situation and try to minimize the risk and maximize the reward. When those situations come up during the game, we just have to push that button.'
Advertisement
Simply put, if the opportunity is there, take it. In Racignol's eyes, that's smart baseball, but only when the reward keeps outweighing the risk.
'It's been a nice addition to keep pressure on the defense,' Racignol added. 'We've done that with the bats, we've done it on the bases, with small ball. It's just another way to add pressure and we'll go to it if we're able to go to it.'
One thing that's helped with the amount of steals is Petoskey's highest on-base-percentage (.445) since 2021 (.450) and their first time with over a .400 OBP since 2022.
Guys have just had more opportunities this season.
Advertisement
'We've just got to get on base, that's the main thing,' Olson said.
Petoskey: Petoskey baseball can go home again, advance to hosted Division 2 regional final
After 18 steals in an all-state season a year ago and playing around the infield, Olson, who has stuck primarily to second base in 2025, has given himself more opportunities with his best season at the plate.
He's batting .382 with a .462 OBP, to go with 40 runs scored and 24 RBIs. He also carries a 100% rate on 28 steal attempts and has struck out just nine times in 122 plate appearances.
While Petoskey's steals are up, so too are the hits and on-base-percentage for guys like Haden Janes in the lineup.
As someone who knows his game and doesn't try swinging for the fence, Olson has been one of the most consistent players in the lineup, which included taking two bags against Kingsford in a Division 2 regional semifinal victory Wednesday, June 4.
Advertisement
'I feel great,' Olson said. 'I just have to do what I do best, hitting hard ground balls and stealing bases.'
It's not like the Northmen have been swiping against nobody this season. They've been putting together one of their best seasons against one of their most challenging schedules.
East Jordan: East Jordan holds off late Inland Lakes rally, tops Bulldogs in regional semifinal
Gaylord St. Mary: Snowbirds still flying: Gaylord St. Mary baseball tops Alcona, onto D4 regional finals
And, that schedule continues at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7 at Turcott Field in Petoskey with a Division 2 regional championship game for the Northmen, potentially followed by a 3 p.m. quarterfinal.
Advertisement
The No. 9 ranked Northmen will face either Ludington (8-18) or No. 2 Standish-Sterling (33-4). No. 12 Fruitport (28-5) already has its spot in the noon regional final and will face either Frankenmuth (21-12) or Saginaw Swan Valley (22-7).
Looking to move on again Saturday, Petoskey's Drew Olson believes they just have to keep playing their game, in the field and on the bases.
If Petoskey is hoping to steal a couple wins Saturday, Olson believes they just have to keep doing what they've been doing.
'We're making the routine plays in the field, we've just got to get on base,' he said. 'It's the same kind of approach. Get the ball out and swing away.'
Then, swipe away.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey baseball's aggressive play on base paths has them lifted to regional finals
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dominion Post
2 days ago
- Dominion Post
Preston High quarterback Slaton Manko excited for senior season after a breakout 2024 campaign
KINGWOOD – Preston High School quarterback Slaton Manko was one of the top breakout stars of the 2024 WV high school football season after an impressive campaign for the Knights. The rising senior amassed 2,428 total yards and 27 touchdowns offensively under center for the Knights last season, while also playing a role on defense with 24 tackles. His efforts earned him a spot on the Class AAA all-state second-team as a utility player, and Manko returns this season with renewed confidence and a clear mindset as he prepares to lead PHS in the fall. 'The experience I gained from my freshman and sophomore years playing varsity helped my confidence a ton going into last season,' Manko said. 'I've also had some great playmakers and a good offensive scheme and game plan from Coach Sims. I've always tried to lead by example, and being an upperclassman helped me take that to a new level.' Manko led the Knights with 1,744 yards through the air at a 53% completion percentage and 18 touchdowns to only six interceptions. He was also the leading rusher on the team, with 684 yards and nine touchdowns on 154 carries. His breakout game came against East Fairmont in the Buckwheat Bowl, a 48-20 victory, in which Manko totaled 487 yards of offense and six touchdowns. That came a week after he rushed for 100 yards and threw for 199 yards with three scores against Robert C. Byrd. Heading into summer, Manko says there isn't an aspect of his game he isn't trying to improve continually. 'I just want to continue to get better,' he said. 'Whether it's faster, stronger, or more knowledgeable, the goal is for the team to put out a product on the field that we and Preston County can be proud of. There's nothing like playing on Friday night, and with this being my senior season, I'm excited to battle week in and week out with my brother and give my all for our team.' The Knights competed in Class AAA in 2024, but will move back to Class AAAA with the newly implemented class realignment, which is strictly based on enrollment. PHS sits less than 10 students above the cutoff for Class AAA. Still, Manko believes he and his team have what it takes to succeed at the highest level of high school football in the state, and their confidence remains unwavering despite the competition. 'We don't always have the same number of players the other team has on the roster, but we have the same amount of effort and drive to compete at the highest level,' Manko said. 'I just want to be able to get the most out of my teammates and coaches, and hopefully the results will take care of themselves with the work we put in. I think we have a lot of talent, but we will have some new starters on both sides of the ball. It's about giving our maximum effort every play. If we do that, I think we will be successful.' Manko and the Knights will open the 2025 season by visiting Hampshire in Week 1.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Braves stay hot and rally past skidding Mets on 97-degree night in NY
NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Olson had three RBIs, including a tiebreaking single that capped a five-run sixth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the reeling New York Mets 7-4 on Tuesday night. Spencer Strider (3-5) overcame one rugged inning to win his third straight start, and the Braves took advantage of nine walks by six Mets pitchers. Atlanta, which has won nine of 12 overall, improved to 5-0 against its NL East rival this year — all in the past eight days. After getting an encouraging performance from starter Frankie Montas in his Mets debut, New York blew a 3-0 lead and lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Sidelined since spring training by a right lat strain, Montas struck out five in five shutout innings on a 97-degree night at Citi Field. But reliever Huascar Brazobán walked the first three batters in the sixth, and Atlanta pounced. Ozzie Albies delivered a sacrifice fly, and left-hander José Castillo (0-2) entered before pinch-hitter Eli White drove in a run with an infield single on a low line drive that glanced off the glove of diving third baseman Brett Baty. Michael Harris II was hit by a pitch, and No. 9 batter Nick Allen tied it 3-all with his third consecutive single after beginning the night with a .556 OPS. One out later, Olson gave the Braves a 5-3 lead with a two-run single off Reed Garrett. Olson and Austin Riley each added an RBI double in the eighth. Raisel Iglesias got two outs in the ninth for his ninth save in 13 chances. Strider lost his first five starts this season after returning from right elbow surgery. But he beat the Mets for the second time in six days, striking out eight in five innings of two-hit ball. The right-hander walked three in a 33-pitch fourth as the Mets scored three times. But after Baty's two-run single, they didn't get another hit until Jeff McNeil's one-out double in the ninth. Key moments After giving up an RBI double to Ronny Mauricio in the ninth, Iglesias retired Francisco Lindor with two on to end it. ... Harris got drilled in the right elbow by a 95 mph sinker and was removed in the bottom of the sixth. He is day to day. Key stat The game-time temperature was the hottest for a Mets home game since it was 98 degrees against Milwaukee at Shea Stadium in August 2001. Up next Mets RHP Clay Holmes (7-4, 3.04 ERA) pitches Wednesday night against 20-year-old righty Didier Fuentes (0-1, 7.20), who makes his second major league start for Atlanta. ___ AP MLB:
Fox Sports
4 days ago
- Fox Sports
Braves stay hot and rally past skidding Mets on 97-degree night in NY
Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Olson had three RBIs, including a tiebreaking single that capped a five-run sixth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied past the reeling New York Mets 7-4 on Tuesday night. Spencer Strider (3-5) overcame one rugged inning to win his third straight start, and the Braves took advantage of nine walks by six Mets pitchers. Atlanta, which has won nine of 12 overall, improved to 5-0 against its NL East rival this year — all in the past eight days. After getting an encouraging performance from starter Frankie Montas in his Mets debut, New York blew a 3-0 lead and lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Sidelined since spring training by a right lat strain, Montas struck out five in five shutout innings on a 97-degree night at Citi Field. But reliever Huascar Brazoban walked the first three batters in the sixth, and Atlanta pounced. Ozzie Albies delivered a sacrifice fly, and left-hander Jose Castillo (0-2) entered before pinch-hitter Eli White drove in a run with an infield single on a low line drive that glanced off the glove of diving third baseman Brett Baty. Michael Harris II was hit by a pitch, and No. 9 batter Nick Allen tied it 3-all with his third consecutive single after beginning the night with a .556 OPS. One out later, Olson gave the Braves a 5-3 lead with a two-run single off Reed Garrett. Olson and Austin Riley each added an RBI double in the eighth. Raisel Iglesias got two outs in the ninth for his ninth save in 13 chances. Strider lost his first five starts this season after returning from right elbow surgery. But he beat the Mets for the second time in six days, striking out eight in five innings of two-hit ball. Strider walked three in a 34-pitch fourth as the Mets scored three times. But after Baty's two-run single, they didn't get another hit until Jeff McNeil's one-out double in the ninth. Key moment After giving up an RBI double to Ronny Mauricio in the ninth, Iglesias retired Francisco Lindor with two on to end it. Key stat The game-time temperature was the hottest for a Mets home game since it was 98 degrees against Milwaukee at Shea Stadium in August 2001. Up next Mets RHP Clay Holmes (7-4, 3.04 ERA) pitches Wednesday night against 20-year-old righty Didier Fuentes (0-1, 7.20), who makes his second major league start for Atlanta. ___ AP MLB: recommended
