Michael Allan went 3/3 while driving in two and scoring twice. Nick Fedewa stayed hot going 2/4 and knocked in one. Jerad Berkenpas went 2/2. Schuelke doubled and scored twice.

SLIDERS TAKES OUT THE #1 SEED (16-0 on the season) DEMAND COMMAND NAVY OUT OF TOLEDO 8-4 AT MSU TO PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO THE TITLE GAME

Coach Schuelke said, “That is as good of a hitting team top to bottom as we’ve ever faced. We knew going in they could really mash and all 10 batters had great swing mechanics. Our boys just rose up and played at a high level as we had great swings and connected often too.” Cam Schuelke throws a complete game (107 pitches) to earn the win allowing just two earned runs against the vaunted Demand Command Navy lineup. Nick Fedewa had a huge 3 RBI hit. Michael Allan had a triple and drove in three with two hits. Austin Vandermarkt and Schuelke each had two hits in the semi-final.

SLIDERS COMPLETES THE WEEKEND SWEEP AS THEY FINISH 7-0 AFTER KNOCKING OFF DEMAND COMMAND CARDINALS 1-0 IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Austin Vandermarkt throws a complete game in 113 pitches as he fans a dozen and walks none. AV allowed just 5 hits in the title game. John Lynch went 2/2 in the title game driving in the games only run. Coach Schuelke said afterward, “Total and complete team effort again by this group. We get contributions from everyone and the bond this group has with each other is simply something special to witness. We didn’t even have Dell (Henk) with us this weekend. We’ll see him in Louisville and he makes us even stronger.

Everyone on this roster (Jared Evans, Jace DeMann, John Lynch, Michael Allan, Jerad Berkenpas, Cam Schuelke, Zach Frasher, Matt Myers, Kaden Holverstott, Nick Fedewa, Dell Henk, Nolan Bainbridge and Austin Vandermarkt) makes winning plays and are great teammates. We have some really good ballplayers no doubt about it but together they have a recipe that is truly special. I’m so impressed by their brotherhood.

Pitching and defense is where it begins and ends with us....when we hit, we’re as tough of an out is there is at this level. Berkie was really really good and efficient in the quarterfinal game. Cam was outstanding Vs an absolutely loaded lineup in the semi-final (#1 overall seed) game and AV was brilliant in the title game. I have incredible expectations for these guys each season but they really got my attention here at MSU. I knew we’d compete like always and aimed to win our pool then had a wait and see attitude.....not them, they came to win it all and they did it. Very impressive.

We did it yesterday and today (last 4 wins) all in our fallen soldier jerseys and hats. Late in the title game, I reminded them in the dugout about how lucky we are to be with each other and that we have this opportunity to play the great game of baseball at venues like MSU.......asked them to remember the names on the back of their jerseys because that’s who afforded them days like today. Thinking of our Gold Star families again this weekend and thankful for the heroism of their loved ones.”

84TH STREET SLIDERS 16U STAKE CLAIM TO THE PASTIME WOOD BAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GOING 7-0 AT BUTLER UNIVERSITY IN INDY!

SLIDERS WIN THE QUARTERFINAL GAME 2-1

John Lynch pitched a gem as he goes the distance Sunday morning at the University of Indianapolis. He throws seven innings striking out six and walking none while allowing three hits.

Sliders could only muster four hits (Michael Allan, Jared Evans, Dell Henk and Matt Myers). Evans and Lynch drove in the two runs for Sliders.

SLIDERS COMEBACK TO DEFEAT THE MIDWEST IRISH 7-3 IN THE SEMI-FINALS.

Sliders would go down early 3-0 in the top of the second. Jared Evans led off the inning by crushing a ball to deep right Center for a ground rule double. He would score on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Bainbridge.

The score remained 3-1 until John Lynch hit a monstrous solo HR to cut the Irish lead to 3-2. Matt Myers drew a two-out walk which was followed by a single off of the bat of Cam Schuelke. Michael Allan then tied the game with a clutch two-out double. Nick Fedewa gave Sliders their first lead of the game with an RBI hit. Evans singled to expand the Sliders lead to 5-3 and he was followed by a double from Dell Henk which pushed the score to 7-3. Jerad Berkenpas was simply dominant in five innings of relief limiting the Irish to just two hits while picking up his 5th win of the Summer.

SLIDERS WIN THE WOOD BAT NC TITLE GAME 10-2 IN A 6 INNING MERCY

Austin Vandermarkt started the title game for Sliders and threw 2.2 innings (had thrown a couple of innings earlier in the day). He allowed 6 hits and gave up two runs and turned it over to Cam Schuelke with Sliders leading 3-2. Schuelke shut down the terrific Game 7 Legacy team for the second time in three days. He threw 3.1 innings of no-hit baseball on a mere 34 pitches while fanning four and walking none as he picked up his 6th win. In 8.1 combined innings Vs Game 7 Legacy, Schuelke allowed just one hit.

Offensively, Sliders pushed across 10 runs on 11 hits and drew 7 walks. Michael Allan hit a three-run inside the park HR. Schuelke went 3/4 with two RBI’s and Nolan Bainbridge had two hits. Evans, Henk, Kaden Holverstott, Austin Vandermarkt and John Lynch (walk-off RBI single for mercy win) each had a hit. Matt Myers drew three walks.

Coach Schuelke said, “What a weekend. We got off to a slow start this morning and never woke up until the middle of the second game when John (Lynch) hit the homer. Michael (Allan) had a huge two-out double and we took off.

We had the pitching all day and all tournament long down here allowing just 10 runs in 7 games. Today we got big-time performances from John, Jerad, and Cam. AV really grinding for us to start the championship game too. Earlier in the week, it was Matt Myers with a complete game, Cam shutting down that Game 7 team the first time, Zach Frasher with a complete game win plus Kaden Holverstott and Michael Allan in relief appearances.

We have an excellent stable of pitchers and a top-notch defense. Our catchers (Evans, Henk, and Myers) were sensational down here whether calling the games, receiving the pitches, shutting down opponents running games or giving me good information that we could use. Our infield play was simply awesome all tournament long as well.

This group played their very best baseball games down here when we faced the top level teams really showing again their ability to rise to the occasion. Our team may not look the part relative to the eyeball test but they’ve proved again and again over the years that they’re a real team in every sense of the word. They’ve become competitive assassins. These guys are playing at a high level right now.

Thank you to our Gold Star family members and thank you to our fallen heroes-we sure were proud to wear our soldier jerseys all day today on our way to the championship.

84TH ST SLIDERS 16U WRAP UP THE 2018 SEASON WITH THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAMEDAY USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

SLIDERS WIN THE QUARTER FINAL RIDING THE ARM OF PITCHER JOHN LYNCH

Sliders defeat MC Steel 5-1. John Lynch threw 6 innings striking out six while allowing one unearned run. Cam Schuelke fanned all three batters he faced in his one inning of work.

Michael Allan 3/4 and Dell Henk 2/3 (2 RBI’s) led the offensive attack. Lynch also helped his own cause with an RBI hit. Others collecting one hit each include Austin Vandermarkt, Nolan Bainbridge, Nick Fedewa and Schuelke.

SLIDERS WIN SEMI-FINAL MATCH VS THE MIDWEST MAVERICKS 8-0 IN A SIX INNING MERCY AS AUSTIN VANDERMARKT GOES THE DISTANCE.

Austin Vandermarkt pitched another great game going all 6 innings as he struck out 6 batters and limited the Mavericks to just two hits.

Dell Henk went 3/4 with 2 RBI’s and John Lynch banged out two hits and drove in a run. Jared Evans had a two-RBI knock.

The defensive web gem of the game was turned in by Zach Frasher at third base as he dove to his left to field the ball then getting to his feet and throwing out the runner at first.

SLIDERS DEFENSE AND CAM SCHUELKE ON THE HILL STYMIE THE NORTH COLUMBUS BRUINS. SLIDERS WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 7-0 TO CLAIM B2B GAMEDAY USA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Cam Schuelke went the distance in the championship game going 7 innings. Schuelke struck out 8 and scattered 4 hits during the complete game shutout.

Jared Evans collected 3 hits and drove in a run. Michael Allan and Schuelke both had two hits. Nick Fedewa and Dell Henk each knocked in two runs with a hit. Vandermarkt also had a single for Sliders.

Coach Schuelke said, “We sure got plenty of premium pitching again today in all three games. John, AV and Cam were each outstanding in the art of pitching. Changing speeds, adding and subtracting, in under the hands then painting the black and keeping hitters off balance all day-a real treat to watch. Evans and Henk called great games and were super behind the dish.

We outscored our 7 opponents 59-4 this weekend getting three shutouts and four other games where we allowed one run apiece. Thats not possible without premier pitching and an elite defense. This team built it’s entire foundation and that of the 84th St Sliders program on the field around high quality pitching depth and top notch defense.

The guys really wanted to make their final mark on the ‘18 season this weekend. This was our only event in West Michigan this Summer and they knew we’d have a big turnout of family and friends. We wanted to end the season with a win in the final game knowing that meant another championship. They also were focused on winning in our fallen soldier jerseys again as today was our final time in that one. Next year, we’ll have a newly designed fallen soldier jersey.

I told our players afterwards that this was my most satisfying season I’ve ever coached. I had more fun and witnessed more growth and development than any other year. When Dan (Myers), Brandon (Froysland) and I started Sliders 7 years ago, we never envisioned that these kids would take it to these heights.

We have 12 players who do their very best to live our process of preparing to live and play like champions and they hold themselves accountable to the four core values. They are connected to each other in a way that is hard to put into words but it’s real and incredibly special to witness. Myself along with Coach Myers and Coach Santana gave more control to the players than ever before and they impressed us so much with their response to it. I am proud to be part of what these guys have built. We talk about the brand of 84th St Sliders and what that means.....style of play, representation of fallen American heroes, wanting to earn everything, parents & fans who show the utmost of respect to umpires and tournament hosts and playing the game as a real team with one collective heartbeat. These 12 guys (#3 Jared Evans #5 John Lynch #7 Michael Allan #8 Jerad Berkenpas #9 Cam Schuelke #13 Zach Frasher #16 Matt Myers #21 Kaden Holverstott #24 Nick Fedewa #27 Dell Henk #28 Nolan Bainbridge and #39 Austin Vandermarkt) along with others over the years have built a powerhouse of a brand and I know they take great pride in it. They play the game the way it was intended to be played and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

I want to personally thank my coaches Myers and Santana. Dan has been with me from the beginning and we’ve been in a lot of events together and that shared experience pays off. He addresses things going on in games with me often before I ask knowing what I’m thinking or beginning to get apprehensive about-we to have a great feel and manage to keep it uncomfortable enough, even with such great familiarity, that we haven’t lost our edge.

Derek has taken it up another couple of levels this year. Between spearheading the 14u Sliders team and being on Coach Brent Gates Byron Center varsity staff, he has come into his own as a coach. Great feel for situations, a steady temperament, an ability to connect with players individually and a deep knowledge of the game. One thing I’ve worked on where I see him getting so good is understanding how to make a plan for an entire event and how to be able to adjust when needed so that he can put our players in the best position to win. There’s a art to it and he’s able to grasp it at a very high level.

Thank you, parents and grandparents, for all you do in making Sliders baseball a family. Thank you, parents, for affording us the privilege of coaching your fantastic sons.

Another season is over and this one is as successful on the field as any we’ve ever had as the boys finish 24-2 and win three big events out of four.

Finally, Sliders 16u are grateful for the incredible privilege of being able to represent these true American heroes once again: Bryan Thomas, Michael Dickinson, Eric Burri, Richard Herrema, Patrick Feeks, Nicholas Blodgett, David Warsen, Raymond Plouhar, Scot Blakey, Ralph Porras, Nick Roush, Christopher Smith, Ross Smith, Robert Kozminski and Holly McGeogh.”