Wayne State University baseball team ends season on historic note

DETROIT — While the story of Wayne State University’s baseball season has concluded, the journey will be remembered for years to come.

The University of Illinois-Springfield eliminated Wayne State 6-3 in the Midwest Regionals at Harwell Field in Detroit to close out the Warriors’ season, but Wayne State was able to make history before it was all said and done.

Wayne State claimed its history-making 37th win of the season in a 15-11 slugfest over Walsh University on May 21. The all-time single season win record previously stood at 36, set by the 2014 team.

It was a feat that Wayne State coach Ryan Kelley said he knew was within reach this year.

“I was confident in our roster and in our depth; I could tell this roster was special,” Kelley said. “It was evident.”

Wayne State (37-19) faced either a record-setting victory or an elimination in its game against Walsh University, of North Canton, Ohio. Wayne State responded by putting together an offensive showing that was meant to make history, tallying its third-highest run total on the season.

“It was nice being at home to earn that win,” Kelley said. “There were a lot of families there and alumni, and there was acknowledgement quickly, which was nice for our student athletes.”

Capped off by an eight-run first inning, Wayne State scored all of its 15 runs in the first four innings to break the single-season wins record.

Hunter DeLanoy was 4-for-6 with a home run and 5 RBIs, while junior Jacoby Dale, senior Rudy Ramirez and graduate student Jacob Finkbeiner hit a combined 9-for-15. Graduate student Michael MacLean was 2-for-4 with a triple in the win.

“We always knew from the start that we had a special group of guys,” Wayne State second baseman Noah Miller said. “We have fifth-year guys and sixth-year guys; we’ve had this core group throughout my whole entire four years.”

Carrying a team grade point average of 3.44, Wayne State excelled at each task on and off the field.

With the help of the Detroit Lions and Henry Ford Cancer Institute, the baseball team volunteered at each Lions’ home game for the 50/50 drawing, which raised money for cancer.

Kelley said while his team carried the success on the field, he said it was actions like that where he noticed the type of group he had.

“Just a hard-working group that represented Wayne State to the best of their ability,” Kelley said. “I think this is a team that everyone should be excited for.”

On the field, the pitching staff led by junior Karter Fitzpatrick and senior Ryan Korolden was one of the biggest improvements for Wayne State this season.

Both were named to the first team in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and Kelley said they took significant strides.

“We knew they were good, but they really produced,” Kelley said. “They went out and executed their outings; they were an anchor to a lot of their wins.”

Korolden was voted GLIAC pitcher of the year, sporting an 8-1 record with a 2.14 ERA, while FItzpatrick added a 9-1 record with a 2.65 ERA.

The offense was led by senior Noah Miller, senior Chris Tanderys, DeLanoy, Finkbeiner, Dale, Ramirez and MacLean.

Seven players with 25 or more games played carried a batting average over .300, while five players had 50 or more hits.

Miller rebounded this season with a .326 average and 17 doubles.

“He put together an impressive season at second base, but also put together some clutch at-bats,” Kelley said.

While Wayne State is set to face some key departures, its younger players performed this season when called upon.

The single season record will be attached to the 2022 Wayne State team, and Kelley said that his interest in next season is due to that.

“The thing I’m most interested to see is just how our team responds,” Kelley said. “I’m interested to see how the underclassmen carry the legacy from the seniors; the seniors moving on sacrificed a lot.”

---

Players from C & G’s coverage area with high schools:

• Jacob Badalamenti, senior, Harrison Township, De La Salle

• Jacoby Dale, junior, Roseville, Roseville

• Kyle Domzalski, sophomore, Huntington Woods, Berkley

• Davis Graham, senior, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe South

• Jimmy Love, freshman, Birmingham, Seaholm

• Michael MacLean, graduate student, Bloomfield Hills, Country Day

• TJ McAllister; freshman, St. Clair Shores, South Lake

• Noah Miller, senior, Macomb Township, University Liggett

• Mitchell Mychajluk, sophomore, Macomb Township, Eisenhower

• Gabe Nazelli, freshman, Farmington Hills, Country Day

• Nicholas O’Dea, senior, Livonia, Detroit Catholic Central

• Jacob Raymond, senior, Shelby Township, Eisenhower

• Colin Seeling, freshman, Shelby Township, Eisenhower

• David Thurman, sophomore, Southfield, Detroit Edison