Lakers In Good Spot at Midway Point
Mt Pleasant, MI - At the midpoint of the season, the Mid Michigan College baseball team has positioned itself as a team to beat in the MCCAA North, compiling a 19-10 overall record and an impressive 12-3 mark in conference play. The Lakers currently sit atop the standings, holding a narrow edge over Grand Rapids (10-3), with a pivotal weekend series looming that could go a long way in determining the conference race.
That upcoming matchup carries significant weight. With Mid Michigan and Grand Rapids clearly separating themselves from the rest of the field, the head-to-head battle will likely shape not only the final standings but also postseason momentum. The Lakers have already done their part against the rest of the league, taking four of five from third-place Alpena (7-4) and another four of five from fourth-place Muskegon (9-8). They've also completed a sweep of Delta and will close the season with a favorable stretch that includes a four-game series against Bay College (1-20 overall, 0-11 in league play) and a home doubleheader against Delta. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids still faces a challenging road series at Alpena, where the Lumberjacks already hold a 1-0 edge in that matchup.
Despite qualifying for the postseason in each of the past four years, a conference title has remained elusive for the program. However, last season marked a breakthrough moment, as Mid Michigan secured its first-ever postseason win by defeating Cuyahoga Community College—snapping the Triceratops' nation-leading 41-game winning streak in the process. That experience appears to have carried over into 2026, with a more confident and complete roster taking the field this spring.
A major catalyst behind the Lakers' success has been Donovan Heugh, who has emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the country. Recently named NJCAA National Player of the Week after a staggering 17-RBI performance that included five home runs, Heugh has been a force both at the plate and on the mound. A two-time MCCAA North Player of the Week, he leads the team with 35 RBIs while hitting .387 and slugging an eye-popping .839. On the mound, he's equally valuable, posting a 5-1 record with a 3.06 ERA over 35.1 innings.
Heugh is far from alone in powering the Lakers' offense. Tyler Schultz has been outstanding at the top of the lineup, hitting .415 while leading the team in runs scored (40), hits (34), doubles (11), and walks (20). Nic Stimac (.333, 3 HR, 25 RBI) and Amir Orr (.303, 24 runs, 20 RBI) have provided steady production in the middle of the order, while freshmen Rylan Rosso (.450 in limited at-bats) and Greyson Lampi (.389) have emerged as key contributors in recent weeks, adding depth and versatility to an already potent lineup.
On the mound, Mid Michigan has received consistent performances from both its starters and bullpen. David Wheeler (3-1, 34 strikeouts in 30 innings, two complete games) and Nick Weiss (4-1, 28 strikeouts in 24.1 innings) have anchored the rotation, giving the Lakers a reliable presence in big games. Out of the bullpen, Gideon Sacco (2-0, one save in 7 appearances) and Brennan Palmer (2.20 ERA, two saves in 10 appearances) have been effective in closing out games and preserving leads.
With a balanced roster, proven production, and meaningful games still ahead, Mid Michigan finds itself in a strong position not just to contend, but to finally break through and capture its first MCCAA North title. The opportunity is there—now it's about finishing the job.