GLEN LAKE has a strong group of seniors to lead this season. From left are Cole Herkner, Geno Peyerk, Michael Sawyer, Dylan Wendels, Jordan Hill and Andrew Gutzka. Glen Lake’s baseball team is seeking something it hasn’t had in a few years— titles.

Namely the Northwest Conference and Division 4 district.

The Lakers amassed a 22-12-2 overall record and took second in the Northwest with at 10-4. Glen Lake’s season came to a close in the district championship with an extra-innings 7-4 loss to Traverse City St. Francis.

Coach Kris Herman is excited about what he is seeing out his team in practice.

“We have 27 guys out total for JV and varsity,” he said.

Fourteen will play varsity with five of those returning from last year’s team. Junior Curtis Bunek will move from second base to shortstop, senior Jordan Hill will keep his spot as catcher behind home plate. Sophomore Thomas Waning will start in the pitching rotation. As a freshman Waning finished last year with a 6-4 mark and a 2.08 ERA. Junior Dale Pleva will play third and senior Dylan Wendels will be in center field.

“Our strength this year will be our defense,” Herman said. “Our pitching will be tad young, but a lot of our team is young with experience.” Many of the Lakers seniors and juniors were sophomores and freshman when the team advanced to the regional final against Frankfort and played in those games.

“We have a lot of players with not just game experience, but play off experience,” he said.

Waning will be the No. 1 pitcher, with Austin Odziana, a freshman and Logan LaCross, a sophomore also expected to see time on the mound.

As to which teams he is looking out for in the Northwest, Herman said Benzie will be tough again this year.

“They have a legitimate one through six pitching rotation. Their coach is excellent and we see them on April 17, that is coming up real quick,” he said. “Suttons Bay will be good again and Frankfort will be better than people are thinking they will be.” Herman said he also sees Glen Lake in the mix for a conference title. The Lakers open at St. Mary on Tuesday and the first home game is Saturday, April 14 when Glen Lake hosts the Leelanau Classic.

Glen Lake Baseball

April 10 at St. Mary
April 12 at T-C Christian
April 14 Leelanau County Classic, 9 a.m.
April 17 at Benzie Central
April 21 Glen Lake Invitational, 9 a.m.
April 24 Suttons Bay
April 25 at Bellaire
May 1 at Buckley
May 4 at Kingsley
May 8 St. Mary
May 9 Central Lake
May 12 John Schlosser Memorial
Tournament, 9 a.m.
May 15 at Mesick
May 16 Elk Rapids
May 19 Laker Invitational, 9 a.m.
May 22 Frankfort
May 23 Brethren
May 26 John Schlosser Memorial
Alumni Game, 12:30 p.m.
Most games start at 4:30 p.m.