By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Macomb Chronicle | Published July 12, 2023
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — When you talk about program-altering players, Macomb Dakota seniors Megan Nuechterlein and Brooklyn Plitz fit the mold to perfection.
They’ve played a vital role in solidifying the Dakota culture of respect and determination through each practice and each game, and they’ve collected district titles, a regional title and a state finals trip along the way.
“They’re the leaders of our team and they’re the spark, so we’re hard to beat when those two are at the top of their game,” Dakota coach Dan Vitale said.
Both three-year starters on varsity, it was only right Nuechterlein and Plitz would end their Dakota careers on the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Division 1 first team all-state list together one last time. Nuechterlein and Plitz both earned MLive’s Metro Detroit Dream Team honors this season as well.
Nuechterlein’s all-state honor this year marks her third-straight first team all-state appearance in her three years on varsity. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
A staple of Dakota softball since stepping on the field, Nuechterlein was electric on the mound this season, tallying a 19-0 record with a 0.43 ERA. Nuechterlein also collected 234 strikeouts in 114 innings of work this season.
At the plate, she was equally as dangerous with an offensive slash line of .425/.505/.838 and a 1.343 OPS (on-base plus slugging), collecting eight home runs and 31 RBIs.
“I definitely hit for more power and struck out only twice this season,” Nuechterlein said. “I was just seeing the ball and was more selective this year.”
While Nuechterlein led the pitching staff, Plitz, a two-time first team all-state selection at second base, was as good as they come at the leadoff spot for a stacked Dakota lineup.
The speedy infielder held an offensive slash line of .411/.467/.477 with an OPS of .943. The Oakland University commit led the team in hits (44), runs (37) and stolen bases (25) in 2023.
Plitz, who was slotted second in the lineup last season, credited her transition to the leadoff spot as a key to her success this year.
“Going from batting second to being the leadoff hitter is more of a difference than you think it would be,” Plitz said. “The way the game looked while hitting was different for me this year, including letting my team see more pitches during my at-bats as well as trying to be ‘the straw’ as my coach would call me. A new approach when stepping up to the plate was a big thing for me this season.”
Plitz and Nuechterlein will be key voids to fill for Dakota in 2024 alongside Faith Maloney and Alyssa Balcom, but the Dakota culture will always remain strong.
“We have an amazing team and even though our team didn’t make it as far as we wanted to in the state tournament, I will never look back and say I would’ve rather played with any other girls other than this team,” Plitz said. “The family atmosphere doesn’t stop at the girls either. Our amazing coaching staff plays a huge part in why we are the way we are as well. The endless amount of support that comes from all of them is everything a player could ever ask for.”