Rochester Adams has ‘stepped up’ in historic season

ROCHESTER HILLS — After watching its season end in the pre-districts last season, Rochester Adams’ baseball team responded by embarking on a historic season.

Adams wreaked havoc on the Oakland Activities Association this season, winning the league title in the OAA-Red for the first time since 2016, but a more impressive feat was ahead.

The 2022 Adams team now holds the school record for most wins in a season with 30 after breaking the previous record of 29 wins.

“We probably didn’t talk about it until about a week ago,” Adams head coach Jeff Hall said. “They were pretty excited and they definitely wanted to get there.”

Hall himself earned the 200th win of his career this season.

Adams has racked up a 33-6 record with two sets of nine-game win streaks while losing back-to-back games only once this season.

More impressively, Adams’ schedule consists of some of the top teams in Division I and II.

Wins over teams such as Grand Blanc, Detroit Country Day, West Bloomfield, Utica Eisenhower, Lake Orion, and Perrysburg (Ohio) have shaped Adams to be one of the most dominant teams in the state this year.

Adams earned its most significant win of the season May 18 against Lake Orion as junior Tait Picot pitched five scoreless innings and hit a solo home run to lead Adams to a 2-0 victory and the OAA-Red title over 10th-ranked Lake Orion.

“They celebrated a little bit, but it was back to business after that,” Hall said.

Both MLive and the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association currently have Adams ranked seventh in the state in Division I. Adams outscored its opponents 11-3 en route to claiming the District 29 championship and continuing its run at the state finals.

Led by a dominant offense that’s averaging over nine runs per game, its pitching staff and defensive efforts have stepped up, allowing just under four runs per game this year.

Senior Jackson Borowski and junior Parker Picot combined for a no-hitter this season in an 11-0 win over Utica Eisenhower as Adams’ pitching staff has been a vital part of its success.

Adams’ pitching staff has seen 10 players earn a victory and throw 15 or more innings this season.

“If one guy doesn’t get it done, there’s always another guy that steps up,” Hall said.

Picot twins Parker and Tait, juniors, have been at the forefront of the team’s success as Parker has a 7-1 record on the mound while slashing a .432 average, 10 home runs, and 45 RBIs. Tait has paced his brother on both ends, countering with a 3-0 record while hitting .371, three home runs, and 42 RBIs.

Parker is currently committed to the University of Alabama for baseball.

“Being able to play next to my brother is unreal,” Parker said. “We are able to share these amazing experiences and go through life together; it’s something that is special to me that I will cherish forever.”

Alongside the Picot brothers are senior Jon Ursuy, sophomore Bino Watters and senior Braedy Limke.

Borowski and Ursuy have combined for an 11-1 record on the mound. Ursuy is batting .423 with 13 doubles, two home runs and 37 RBIs.

Watters has provided on the offensive front with a .386 average, three home runs and 36 RBIs.

Adams has also received offensive contributions from freshman Ben Dempster, junior Buck Snabes and junior Jake Sukkar.

Parker said the team’s success has been based on one driving force.

“It’s our ability to love the game and enjoy being out on the field every day working together to win,” Parker said.

Adams has yet to win a state championship, finishing runner-up in 1995 and 1996 under head coach Andy Lamkin. Lamkin now serves as an assistant coach under Hall.

“He started the tradition,” Hall said. “I’m just trying to keep it up.”

If Adams continues its dominant streak, another historic feat could be in the cards.

Adams was slated to open up regionals against OAA rival Lake Orion June 8 at Rochester High School.