Cheboygan 50/70 team enjoys time at state competition
By JARED GREENLEAF
sports@cheboygantribune.com
CHEBOYGAN — It wasn’t the results they wanted, but the Cheboygan 50/70 All Stars learned one thing from their experience at the state tournament—they want to go back next summer.
Despite losing both tournament games played in Taylor on July 12-13, the Cheboygan All Stars showed signs of being a strong team in the future.
“My main goal was not to get blown out, but we should’ve won both games,” said Cheboygan manager Dan Coppernoll. “They stayed competitive all the way through, they never lost their fight, the never gave up. Even when we were down 6-0 in a game, we came back and started hitting the ball.”
During the tournament, Cheboygan suffered a 7-3 loss to Taylor Northwest in its opening contest played on July 12. Cheboygan then lost a 15-11 game against Ypsilanti on July 13.
“They enjoyed the experience a lot,” Coppernoll added. “They wish they could’ve played more games together rather than two games. We hit the ball well, just made errors at the wrong time.”
Will Roberts led Cheboygan in the game against Taylor Northwest, finishing with four hits and scoring two runs. Adding two hits was Michael Gofourth (RBI), while Josh Kiefer (triple, run), Jake Antkoviak, Tristan Schley and Cody Jewell had a hit apiece. Dylan Coppernoll rounded out Cheboygan’s offense with an RBI.
Schley tossed 5 1/3 innings in the contest, striking out nine batters. Schley allowed five hits and one earned run. Brady Rocco (strikeout, run) pitched 2/3 innings for Cheboygan.
In a high-scoring game against Ypsilanti, Roberts (three runs) led Cheboygan with two hits, while Gofourth (two RBI, two runs), Mike Swiderek (RBI, run), Antkoviak (run) and Rocco (RBI) each had a hit. Jewell scored two runs for Cheboygan and Coppernool also scored.
David Millmine struck out 10 batters and allowed four runs on the mound for Cheboygan. Rocco (two strikeouts, run) and Antkoviak also pitched in the game.
“They got a taste of it and they really want to go back, that’s what we talked about after the game,” Coppernoll said.
Members of the Cheboygan 50/70 Intermediate team included Dylan Coppernoll, Mikey Swiderek, Hunter Bur, Josh Kiefer, Cody Jewell, David Millmine, Will Roberts, Jack Antkoviak, Kody Whitman, Brady Rocco, Tristan Schley, Michael Gofourth and TJ Schulz. The team is coached by Coppernoll, Billy Swiderek and Ed Antkoviak.