Warriors capture county baseball crown

Adams covered this past weekend's county baseball tournament...

BAD AXE — It’s not unusual to see a Dhyse dominating on the mound for North Huron.

During Saturday’s championship game of the Huron Daily Tribune/Huron County Baseball Tournament, a Dhyse was dealing, keeping Harbor Beach batters off balance all afternoon.

It just happened to be Evan Dhyse, the younger brother of the Warriors’ ace Erik Dhyse.

Due to the nature of tournament play, teams rarely use their top pitchers, but North Huron didn’t miss a beat. Dhyse scattered five hits, allowed one unearned run and struck out six as he helped lead the Warriors to a 2-1 victory. It’s their fourth title in five years. 

“I have a lot of confidence in Evan,” said North Huron coach Travis Fischer. “He’s a solid pitcher. He pitches to contact, he works the corners, he’s a great, great baseball player.”

Dhyse followed up another strong pitching performance from Kyle Case, who also tossed a five-hitter in an 8-0 victory over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port in the semifinals.

“For a freshman to step up and pitch like that in the first game, that’s a great day for that kid,” Fischer said. “He’s got a bright future ahead.”

Harbor Beach’s ace is Jason Hanson, who didn’t pitch either. The Pirates still got a great performance, though. 

Sean Murawske took the hill, scattered just three hits and did all he could to keep his team in the game.

“Murawske pitched a great ball game against us,” Fischer said.

Harbor Beach got on the board first in the top of the fourth as Hanson hit a high fly ball to center field, but Dillon Newell lost it in the sun, allowing Hanson to reach second.

Sean Sorenson drove Hanson home with a single.

Newell made up for the miscue in the bottom of the frame.

Erik Dhyse reached after getting hit by a pitch, and got to second on a passed ball. Newell tied the game on a deep double to left center that nearly left the park.

It was the first of three straight hits for the Warriors.

Kevin Rice put North Huron up with a sharp single.

“He came back the next inning and delivered for us,” Fischer said about Newell. “That’s baseball. You can’t get down, there’s always a chance to redeem yourself. It’s a game of failure, you have to be able to deal with it. Our guys are a pretty experienced group. Today, they played for each other and did the little things you need to do to win games.”

Murawske settled down for the rest of the game as he didn’t allow a baserunner.

Harbor Beach had a chance to tie the game in the top of the sixth after Scott Grekowicz led off with a walk. He stole second and reach third with one out on a fielder’s choice.

But some strong play from Tony Murawski in right field prevented the run from scoring. He secured the final two outs, including a nifty catch off the bat of Hanson that nearly handcuffed him.

“If I could pick an MVP, it would be Tony Murawski,” Fischer said. “He made some huge plays. He did a great job for us today.”

Harbor Beach made it interesting in the top of the seventh.

Kenny Arntz led off with a single and stole second. He was moved over to third on a base hit from Jeremy Hanson.

With no outs, Arntz was thrown out at home after attempting to score on an error.

Dhyse struck out Justin Lasceski and got Murawske to fly out to right to end the game.

“They beat us three times last year, so I was looking to win one,” Fischer said. “They’re a well-coached, good baseball team, so that was a big win for us.

“It gives you confidence. After losing to them last year, now we know we can beat them.”

Since the Huron County Tournament started in 1977, no team has ever won four titles in five years.

Fischer talked about his predecessor, Steve Schmidt.

“Steve Schmidt set the table and established a good program and we’ve been able to keep it going,” he said. Hopefully, we can make a little noise at the end of the year.

“It’s huge for our school. It’s good for us, it’s good for the boys, they get bragging rights now. Some young kids got some experience, so hopefully, we can carry that into next year and keep this run going.

“Every win in is a good win, but this was a good day for us. It was an important day for our program.”

In the other semifinal, Harbor Beach survived a nearly three-hour contest with Bad Axe to hold on for a 14-10 victory.

The Hatchets rallied from being down 9-3 to take a 10-9 lead, but couldn’t hang on.

PAST CHAMPIONS

2011: North Huron def. Harbor Beach (2-1)

2010: Harbor Beach def. Bad Axe (9-7)

2009: North Huron def. Bad Axe (17-3)

2008: North Huron def. Harbor Beach (13-3)

2007: North Huron def. Ubly (5-4)

2006: Harbor Beach def. Ubly (5-4)

2005: Bad Axe def. North Huron (7-3)

2004: Bad Axe def. Ubly (3-1)

2003: Ubly def. Harbor Beach (6-5)

2002: Owen-Gage def. EPBP (18-11)

2001: Owen-Gage def. EPBP (10-7)

2000: Bad Axe def. EPBP (14-10)

1999: Bad Axe def. Harbor Beach (21-6)

1998: EPBP def. Bad Axe (2-0)

1997: Bad Axe def. EPBP (3-2)

1996: Ubly def. EPBP (3-2)

1995: EPBP def. Ubly (5-1)

1994: Bad Axe def. Ubly (8-5)

1993: Bad Axe def. Ubly (9-8)

1992: EPBP def. Bad Axe (11-10)

1991: Bad Axe def. North Huron (9-5)

1990: EPBP def. Bad Axe (9-8)

1989: Bad Axe def. EPBP (12-8)

1988: Bad Axe def. Harbor Beach (1-0)

1987: Ubly def. Caseville (6-2)

1986: Caseville def. EPBP (31-13)

1985: Bad Axe def. Ubly (6-5)

1984: North Huron def. EPBP (9-5)

1983: North Huron def. EPBP (9-0)

1982: Ubly def. Deckerville (13-6)

1981: Bad Axe def. North Huron (4-3)

1980: Bad Axe def. EPBP (2-1)

1979: Harbor Beach def. EPBP (6-1)

1978: Bad Axe def. Caseville (6-2)

1977: EPBP def. Bad Axe (7-6)

The North Huron baseball team poses after winning its fourth Huron Daily Tribune/Huron County Tournament championship in five years on Saturday in Bad Axe. The Warriors defeated Harbor Beach, 2-1, in the title game.