Adrian baseball gets season of high expectations started strong

It's been a slow build for the Adrian baseball team under head coach Kyle Johnson.

In 2021 the Maples were happy to go seven innings. In 2022 they took the SEC White by surprise and took second in the league standings and last season they won the title.

This season, Adrian isn't catching anyone by surprise. The Maples are ranked No. 4 in the Division 2 preseason poll and, after returning the bulk of their regional championship team, expectations are sky high.

So, Adrian going go about this season like it has the last three seasons.

"We have to slow it down a little," coach Kyle Johnson said. "We have to take it one game at a time and slow it down a little. We have to know last year was last year and this year is this year if we're going to have similar success."

The Maples have started the season strong, taking two games against Gaylord St. Mary's and then 2-of-3 against Chelsea to start SEC White play.

Adrian's experience showed in Game 1 against the Bulldogs, plating five runs in the seventh to erase a 2-1 deficit and win 6-5 and then carried it over to a three-run first inning in Game 2 and won 6-3.

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"It's always great to start out with some wins," Johnson said. "We aren't as seasoned as we need to be having only played two games while they had six. Two out of three will give the guys some good confidence moving forward.

"It shows how mentally tough our kids are. They took it one at-bat at a time and gave us some comfort lead runs. That's what good teams are made of. No lead is too large."

With Chelsea out of the way, the Maples are in the driver's seat to start SEC White play. However, there are still some speed bumps to get over in order to repeat as league champions.

"When we looked ahead this season, we thought Pinckney made a lot of improvements and could compete," Johnson said. "We don't want to overlook anybody, so we've got to take it one series at a time."

Leading the Maples into each series is Game 1 starter, senior and Adrian College football and baseball commit, Sean Parker. Fellow senior Tristan Hayes is also off to a strong start on the mound and at the plate.

"Those two are as tough as they come," Johnson said. "Tristan is our vocal leader, energy guy. Sean is going to do what he does and has to do. It's rubbing off on the younger guys and that's fun to see. They are good kids and great players."

The underclassmen on the roster are taking what they've learned from the upperclassmen and taking it to the field.

Sophomore Adam Parker, freshman Carter Howard and junior Gary Kemerer have stepped up with some early season injuries, including junior Joelden Griffin who continues to battle elbow problems.

"Adam Parker is taking on a bigger role," Johnson said. "He's Sean's brother and has some big shoes to live up to, but he's getting on base and he's fast. Carter Howard has stepped up and played multiple positions. It's nice to see the young guys responded and Gary Kemerer has done a good job at first base with Joelden down for now."

That group with returning veterans like Solomon Hiatt, Tyler Bruggeman, Maverick Slavin, Julius Robichaud and DJ Ott make the Maples a tough out for any team in the state.

They just have to take it one game at a time.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian baseball living up to lofty expectations