'They've been unforgettable': Petoskey baseball's senior class helped build a dynasty
PETOSKEY — Shawn Racignol knew at some point during the 2025 season he would have to say goodbye to his Petoskey baseball team.
The longtime head coach of the Northmen that's had to do so to many teams for over two decades now, dreaded the day a group of 13 seniors played their final game.
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Competing in a Division 2 regional championship at Turcott Field in Petoskey, that day unfortunately came Saturday, June 7 in a 5-2 loss to Standish-Sterling.
It's a group of players Racignol has been around since they were five years old and first picking up a glove.
'They've been unforgettable,' Racignol said. 'They had high expectations, we practiced at a very high level with our pace and the amount of information we were able to give, these guys never faltered in their focus and execution. If they didn't get something right the first time, this was a team that was laser focused in that area. That's how you get a 30-win season.'
Petoskey seniors Peyton Harmon (12), Haden Janes (4) and others walk off Turcott Field one final time after falling to Standish-Sterling in a Division 2 regional championship Saturday, June 7.
The Northmen finished a 30-6 campaign, exiting in regionals or beyond for a sixth consecutive season. Many of the seniors on the field Saturday were part of half of those seasons at the varsity level.
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'I couldn't be prouder of our effort and attitude,' Racignol added. 'Our work ethic. It's just an unbelievable group that I think really had a legitimate shot at the state level. There's not a lot to hang our head about, it's more about good fortune. We just needed a little bit of luck there.'
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Luck can indeed be part of the game and there was seemingly none left for the No. 9 ranked Northmen Saturday against No. 2 Standish-Sterling.
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From bad and exaggerated hops in the field to balls finding every hole, infield and outfield. Then there was the pitch Sam Briggs of the Panthers squared up perhaps better than anyone all season at Turcott Field in the first inning, a two-run shot over the left field fence and Briggs' lone hit of the day.
Petoskey's Drew Olson field a ball during a Divison 2 regional championship against Standish-Sterling on Saturday, June 7.
'We have to give credit where credit is due,' Racignol said. 'We made some great pitches that they were able to stay on and they went to places we didn't have guys. That's baseball. We hit some hard balls today that found some gloves.'
BNC Championship: Petoskey turns to aces Wodek, Harmon to clinch Big North baseball title
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It opened a 5-0 advantage in the first inning, which Petoskey cut into in the third.
Later in the fifth, it finally looked as if fortune had turned. Petoskey's Brendan Swiss and Peyton Harmon found their way on base with no outs, then it looked as if Haden Janes was on his way after catching a pitch in the helmet. The umpire instead called an attempt into the ball. Next pitch, Janes was hit on the hand, though again, the ball was called to have hit the bat. On the next pitch, Janes popped out, then two more outs followed.
Petoskey senior AJ Speigl fields a ball and gets ready to send it to first base against Standish-Sterling in a Division 2 regional championship Saturday, June 7.
'Against a guy throwing upper 80s, low 90s, to load the bases there with nobody out would have been a different ball game,' Racignol said. 'Our player was defending himself, turning away and I don't know how that can be called an attempted bunt, but that's what was called. Nobody is perfect, we don't expect perfection, but it happened twice in the same at-bat and neither one went our way.'
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Janes himself couldn't believe it.
'It's…,' Janes began, before stopping himself as he showed his bloody hand afterward. 'I'm not going to complain about it, but it's going to haunt me for a while for sure.'
Petoskey later put two runners on in the top of the seventh with two outs, though the threat ended and so too did the season.
Petoskey's Harmon took the loss across all six innings, while Briggs earned the win for Standish across all seven.
AJ Speigl finished with an RBI single for Petoskey, with Janes and Drew Olson also adding a single and run scored each.
Standish-Sterling went on to earn a 7-1 quarterfinal win over Fruitport, sending them to a Division 2 semifinal vs. Mason at Michigan State's McLain Stadium.
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Petoskey's 13 seniors included Janes, Speigl, Olson, Harmon, Swiss, Spencer Fettig, Rowan Dohm, Wyatt Hahn, Ben Lansing, Ely Pethers, Garrett Wodek, Barrett Elliott and Trent Black.
Petoskey senior Brendan Swiss watches a pitch late against Standish-Sterling in a Division 2 regional championship Saturday, June 7.
'I asked them to do a couple things,' Racignol said of the group. 'One was to walk the rest of this life with your head held high about your baseball career and two, thank the people who got you here.'
Racignol also took the time to do just that, acknowledging how special the sport is within the community, evident Saturday at a packed Turcott Field.
'To the parents in this baseball program, this is rare,' he added. 'The kind of support we get for baseball in this town is rare and it's not ever taken for granted and it's greatly appreciated. I want to thank them for that and all of the assistant coaches; Matt Henning, Jake Kanine, Scott Moore, Reed Moore, Tyler Goeldel, Steve Speigl, Dave Elliott and always, Mike Loper.'
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For more on a Northmen senior and standout career, check back with the News-Review.
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 'unforgettable' group exits season vs. Standish-Sterling
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13-06-2025
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'They've been unforgettable': Petoskey baseball's senior class helped build a dynasty
PETOSKEY — Shawn Racignol knew at some point during the 2025 season he would have to say goodbye to his Petoskey baseball team. The longtime head coach of the Northmen that's had to do so to many teams for over two decades now, dreaded the day a group of 13 seniors played their final game. Advertisement Competing in a Division 2 regional championship at Turcott Field in Petoskey, that day unfortunately came Saturday, June 7 in a 5-2 loss to Standish-Sterling. It's a group of players Racignol has been around since they were five years old and first picking up a glove. 'They've been unforgettable,' Racignol said. 'They had high expectations, we practiced at a very high level with our pace and the amount of information we were able to give, these guys never faltered in their focus and execution. If they didn't get something right the first time, this was a team that was laser focused in that area. That's how you get a 30-win season.' Petoskey seniors Peyton Harmon (12), Haden Janes (4) and others walk off Turcott Field one final time after falling to Standish-Sterling in a Division 2 regional championship Saturday, June 7. The Northmen finished a 30-6 campaign, exiting in regionals or beyond for a sixth consecutive season. Many of the seniors on the field Saturday were part of half of those seasons at the varsity level. Advertisement 'I couldn't be prouder of our effort and attitude,' Racignol added. 'Our work ethic. It's just an unbelievable group that I think really had a legitimate shot at the state level. There's not a lot to hang our head about, it's more about good fortune. We just needed a little bit of luck there.' Petoskey Speigl: The colors might have changed, but Petoskey's Speigl is still coming up big in postseason Petoskey's Base Running: Petoskey hoping to put the pressure on, swipe another couple wins Saturday Juniors State Title: Petoskey Juniors claim town's first-ever Little League State Championship Luck can indeed be part of the game and there was seemingly none left for the No. 9 ranked Northmen Saturday against No. 2 Standish-Sterling. Advertisement From bad and exaggerated hops in the field to balls finding every hole, infield and outfield. Then there was the pitch Sam Briggs of the Panthers squared up perhaps better than anyone all season at Turcott Field in the first inning, a two-run shot over the left field fence and Briggs' lone hit of the day. Petoskey's Drew Olson field a ball during a Divison 2 regional championship against Standish-Sterling on Saturday, June 7. 'We have to give credit where credit is due,' Racignol said. 'We made some great pitches that they were able to stay on and they went to places we didn't have guys. That's baseball. We hit some hard balls today that found some gloves.' BNC Championship: Petoskey turns to aces Wodek, Harmon to clinch Big North baseball title Advertisement It opened a 5-0 advantage in the first inning, which Petoskey cut into in the third. Later in the fifth, it finally looked as if fortune had turned. Petoskey's Brendan Swiss and Peyton Harmon found their way on base with no outs, then it looked as if Haden Janes was on his way after catching a pitch in the helmet. The umpire instead called an attempt into the ball. Next pitch, Janes was hit on the hand, though again, the ball was called to have hit the bat. On the next pitch, Janes popped out, then two more outs followed. Petoskey senior AJ Speigl fields a ball and gets ready to send it to first base against Standish-Sterling in a Division 2 regional championship Saturday, June 7. 'Against a guy throwing upper 80s, low 90s, to load the bases there with nobody out would have been a different ball game,' Racignol said. 'Our player was defending himself, turning away and I don't know how that can be called an attempted bunt, but that's what was called. Nobody is perfect, we don't expect perfection, but it happened twice in the same at-bat and neither one went our way.' Advertisement Janes himself couldn't believe it. 'It's…,' Janes began, before stopping himself as he showed his bloody hand afterward. 'I'm not going to complain about it, but it's going to haunt me for a while for sure.' Petoskey later put two runners on in the top of the seventh with two outs, though the threat ended and so too did the season. Petoskey's Harmon took the loss across all six innings, while Briggs earned the win for Standish across all seven. AJ Speigl finished with an RBI single for Petoskey, with Janes and Drew Olson also adding a single and run scored each. Standish-Sterling went on to earn a 7-1 quarterfinal win over Fruitport, sending them to a Division 2 semifinal vs. Mason at Michigan State's McLain Stadium. Advertisement Petoskey's 13 seniors included Janes, Speigl, Olson, Harmon, Swiss, Spencer Fettig, Rowan Dohm, Wyatt Hahn, Ben Lansing, Ely Pethers, Garrett Wodek, Barrett Elliott and Trent Black. Petoskey senior Brendan Swiss watches a pitch late against Standish-Sterling in a Division 2 regional championship Saturday, June 7. 'I asked them to do a couple things,' Racignol said of the group. 'One was to walk the rest of this life with your head held high about your baseball career and two, thank the people who got you here.' Racignol also took the time to do just that, acknowledging how special the sport is within the community, evident Saturday at a packed Turcott Field. 'To the parents in this baseball program, this is rare,' he added. 'The kind of support we get for baseball in this town is rare and it's not ever taken for granted and it's greatly appreciated. I want to thank them for that and all of the assistant coaches; Matt Henning, Jake Kanine, Scott Moore, Reed Moore, Tyler Goeldel, Steve Speigl, Dave Elliott and always, Mike Loper.' Advertisement For more on a Northmen senior and standout career, check back with the News-Review. Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey baseball's 'unforgettable' group exits season vs. Standish-Sterling
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13-06-2025
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The colors might have changed, but Petoskey's Speigl is still coming up big in postseason
CHEBOYGAN — In the bottom of the third, with Petoskey down a run and looking for any kind of momentum in an otherwise quiet day against Gaylord Saturday, AJ Speigl stepped to the plate with two outs. The Northmen senior was likely the last player the Blue Devils wanted to see, especially with a player already on second. Advertisement On the third pitch of the at-bat, Speigl showed why that is, driving teammate Haden Janes around to score to tie the game at 1-1 on a two-out double. He then turned to his Petoskey dugout with an emotional roar that ignited the group. What followed behind him in the inning were three more runs, the final two on a two-run shot over center by Tyler Pool. 'That double was just a good opportunity to get things rolling,' Speigl said. 'Then the home run from Tyler Pool after that just shifted the momentum of the game. But it was just a good opporuntity and all the preparation lined up.' Petoskey's AJ Speigl turns to his home dugout in Cheboygan following an RBI double that tied the game and ignited a run against Gaylord in their Division 2 district tournament Saturday, May 31. That's kind of how the season has gone for Speigl and the Northmen. When there's a spark that's needed in the lineup, it's usually Speigl providing it out of the cleanup spot. Advertisement The former Charlevoix school record-holder that's spent his last season in a Petoskey uniform has taken no step back in his move from Rayder maroon to Petoskey blue. Petoskey District: 'We all expect to win here': Petoskey baseball's standard met in sixth straight district It was different at first, being in a new school with new teammates, living in a new town, though the prep that took place over the winter shortened any curve for the season. 'Once the season started, it wasn't really weird,' he said. 'With all the winter offseason work, the team really invited me in and I've felt like one of the guys. It is weird not playing for Charlevoix this year, but I've felt like the culture and family feel they have over here has been really nice and accepting.' Advertisement Along with being a leader and standup addition to add to the dugout, Speigl has also brought his eye-popping numbers with him. Athlete of the Week: Vote for the News-Review's Harbor Brenn Insurance Athlete of the Week: May 26-31 He leads the Northmen in seven major statistical categories entering the regional semifinal round, including average (.453), hits (48), doubles (13), RBIs (35) and runs (41). He's also second with 25 steals and owns a .670 slugging percentage. 'I always wish I could have done a little better, but with going up a division, I know we had a pretty tough schedule this year,' Speigl said. 'Taking that all into account, I feel like I've done a pretty good job of meeting my goals.' Petoskey's AJ Speigl will continue his baseball journey at Grand Rapids Community College with the hopes of building his resume and raising up another level. Moving up and facing the tougher competition excited Speigl entering the season, with plans of already attending Grand Rapids Community College before the season, then again leveling up from there. Advertisement According to MaxPreps' Michigan baseball strength of record, measuring a team's strength of schedule against its wins and losses, Petoskey's ranks third in the state, regardless of division. At 29-5, all five losses have come against ranked opponents across Divisions 1, 2 and 3, including Division 1 No. 3 Rochester Adams and No. 4 Hudsonville. East Jordan, Harbor Light: East Jordan, Harbor Light baseball earn D4 district titles; Boyne City just short in D3 St. Mary Baseball: St. Mary baseball turns season around to win fourth district title in five seasons 'You just take it as a challenge,' Speigl said on his mindset entering the season. 'With moving up, you see a little better pitching and it obviously gets better in college too." Advertisement Speigl has been used to challenges this time of year already, having helped Charlevoix to a regional final appearance as a sophomore, before a state semifinal run last season. The challenge continues as regionals begin Wednesday in Cheboygan against Kingsford. "It's always good to have a challenge," Speigl said. "With challenges we all grow. I feel like it's been really beneficial this year to really challenge myself.' Petoskey's AJ Speigl has put together another all-state level season, this time leveling up at the Division 2 ranks after back to back all-state seasons with Charlevoix. While he's happy to lead where he can, Speigl knows it's not just on him. There's seven other players that have started at least 28 games batting .290 or better in the PHS lineup. Advertisement 'All of our lineup this year has been stacked,' he said. 'We've got guys that can hit the ball one through nine.' They'll need all the bats they can get ahead, as they work to make it back to at least a hosted regional and quarterfinal tournament Saturday, June 7 at Turcott Field. First up is the Flivvers at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 4 in Cheboygan. Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey's AJ Speigl igniting a different team through the postseason
Yahoo
13-06-2025
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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@ 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
