Michigan
Payne: Michigan baseball is having fun, now it can win
Consistency has been the Michigan baseball crew’s enemy all season.
From the start of the season, the expertise, tradition and drive that the Wolverines carry has been obvious. However the issue they’ve struggled with is put the items collectively.
This can be a crew that opened the season going toe-to-toe with Maryland and East Carolina — two colleges whose spectacular seasons earned them spots as regional hosts. However Michigan additionally displayed its shortcomings by uninspiring losses to the likes of Oakland and Purdue Fort Wayne halfway by the season.
The Wolverine pitchers and hitters struggled to get in sync with one another. At some point the offense would explode, however the bullpen would implode. The subsequent the pitching would dominate, however then the bats would wrestle. Michigan has been engaged in a wildly flailing balancing act for months, and within the weeks main as much as the Massive Ten Match, it appeared about to lastly fall off the tightrope.
“We had been lifeless on the mat after (the collection in opposition to) Maryland,” Michigan coach Erik Bakich stated on Monday. “We had been staring, legitimately staring, within the face of the choice mathematically of not even making the Massive Ten Match.”
I used to be satisfied that the Wolverines had been too downtrodden to show issues round, even when they did discover their method into the convention event. I had little doubt they might experience their expertise and power-heavy bats to a win or two, nevertheless it appeared unlikely that it might final lengthy earlier than the offense had an off day or the bullpen’s points resurfaced and didn’t include the opposing bats.
However one thing particular occurred that final weekend of the common season in opposition to Rutgers — they only began enjoying baseball.
Michigan has caught to its weapons by way of its strategy and mantra: specializing in in the future at a time and never worrying in regards to the previous or the longer term. However in opposition to the Scarlet Knights — with a visit to the Massive Ten Match on the road — it turned a win-at-all-costs mindset, and that has made all of the distinction.
Whereas the 2 methods are functionally comparable, the ferocity and additional focus introduced by the latter has enabled the Wolverines to change into a wholly totally different baseball crew.
“We had been saying that we’re going to deal with each week from right here on out prefer it’s event baseball,” Bakich stated after the primary sport of the Rutgers collection. “Deal with each particular person sport prefer it’s the one sport of the week.”
Michigan went into the collection with doubts of successful any of the video games, nevertheless it got here out taking two of three which pushed it into the event. The crew that walked away from that collection in opposition to the Scarlet Knights regarded utterly totally different from the one which left Faculty Park every week prior.
“The crew that you just noticed final week at Maryland is lengthy gone,” Bakich stated after the second sport of the collection. “It simply feels totally different. … It’s enjoyable to observe. I believe they’re having enjoyable doing it.”
All 12 months, the Wolverines have been weighed down by expectations, residing as much as their potential and turning Michigan into an “Omaha program” by displaying they will make it to the Faculty World Collection with consistency. However that’s not what baseball is about.
Baseball is meant to be enjoyable. And that’s what the Wolverines rediscovered of their event run.
“We simply want to return, … have some enjoyable enjoying a youngsters sport,” Bakich stated on Monday. “They’d nice focus whereas they competed however but they had been unfastened and having enjoyable on the identical time.”
I’ve been baffled all 12 months by the efficiency of this crew and struggled to pinpoint their identification. I’ve watched and seen the expertise, I’ve seen what these guys are able to, I’ve seen that they perceive what they will do and I’ve seen how a lot they wish to show it.
And it appears the one factor that stood between Michigan and reaching its potential was the immense strain to get there.
If the Massive Ten Match displayed one factor it was that when the Wolverines have enjoyable, they play higher.
They’d enjoyable making the ultimate push to get into the convention event, that they had enjoyable enjoying their method by the bracket and so they had enjoyable successful the Massive Ten Match. Now, they’ve an opportunity to play within the NCAA Match and take the subsequent step in the direction of cementing Michigan as an “Omaha program”. However that shouldn’t be the take away from the convention event title.
Baseball, at its roots, is a youngsters sport that revolves round hitting a ball with a stick. That’s the essence of the game and the rationale it’s beloved by so many. The purpose is to have enjoyable and do your greatest.
When the Wolverines pushed every thing else apart and simply performed, they lastly put the items collectively. When all they might do was to exit and take a look at their greatest, they lastly discovered it.
Exploring the Great Lakes: Facts about Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario
Dive into the fascinating world of Michigan’s Great Lakes. Learn intriguing facts about Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie.
- The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a popular tourist attraction on the coast of Lake Michigan in northwest Michigan.
- The national lakeshore features sand, beaches, forests, inland lakes, islands, historic villages and more.
- Visitors can buy entrance passes online or in person to check out the national lakeshore.
A trip to northwest Michigan this summer can land you at one of Michigan’s national lakeshores, a top attraction for those seeking sweeping views, trails to hike and beaches to relax on.
The popular tourist destination, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, welcomes 1.5 million visitors each year with its expansive sand dunes and sandy beaches, former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard stations, inland Manitou islands, a historic farm district and coastal village, inland lakes, 1871 lighthouse, forests and campgrounds, according to the National Park Service.
“The park was established primarily for its outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena,” Pure Michigan says.
Michigan’s other national lakeshore is Pictured Rocks, which features the towering Grand Sable Dunes on Lake Superior.
Here’s what to know about Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore.
What is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a popular tourist destination and one of two national lakeshores in Michigan.
Where is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?
The lakeshore lies along 35 miles of Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline in west Michigan northwest of Traverse City. Nearby are the villages of Glen Arbor and Empire. The lakeshore is about 39 miles from Traverse City. M-22 runs north and south along the lakeshore.
How can you visit this season?
To visit the lakeshore, you will need a national parks entrance pass, which you then display on your car. You can buy the pass ahead online or in person at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center.
If you’re planning a camping trip, you’ll need to book a reservation at one of the lakeshore’s campgrounds; you can reserve up to six months in advance.
How much do lakeshore passes cost?
Entrance passes to the lakeshore include a $25 standard pass, with varying prices for larger vehicles; $45 annual pass and America the Beautiful pass at varying prices. There are also seven-day digital passes.
The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands pass is $80 for an annual pass, $80 for a senior lifetime pass, $20 for a senior annual pass and free for military annual pass, military lifetime pass, access pass, fourth grade pass, and volunteer pass.
The following will be national park free entrance days in 2025:
- Juneteenth National Independence Day: June 19
- Great American Outdoors Acts Anniversary: Aug. 4
- National Public Lands Day: Sept. 27
- Veterans Day: Nov. 11
Are there beaches, other activities at the lakeshore?
The national lakeshore offers sand dunes, beaches, trails, inland islands, camping, forests, rivers, inland lakes, a lighthouse and more. The tallest dune is 450 feet.
For those looking to relax near the water, the park offers seven beaches. Platte River Point Beach includes the gently-flowing river’s mouth at Lake Michigan, a popular place for canoers and tubers to pause before loading up for home.
While visiting, you can hike the lakeshore’s various trails, bike the paved heritage trail, swim at the beach, set up camp, navigate the dunes, kayak or tube or canoe the rivers, take a trip to the Manitou Islands, explore historic coastal villages and museums and and more, per the lakeshore website.
What islands are part of the lakeshore?
The lakeshore features two inland islands, the Manitou Islands. The North and South Manitou Islands form part of an island chain spanning north toward the Straits of Mackinac. The islands offer hiking and camping in vast nature and the nearby Manitou Passage State Underwater Preserve to explore shipwrecks.
North Manitou Island is closed for the 2025 season amid a multi-year project to move the islands’ docks.
On South Manitou Island, there are 10 miles of pebble beaches, a lighthouse, sand dunes, village, over 500-year-old white cedar trees, campgrounds, historic tours and more, per the NPS website.
How can you get to the islands?
The islands are accessible by Manitou Island Transit ferry service from Leland, Michigan or by private boat. The islands do not have food service, stores or medical centers, so come prepared and be aware emergency responders may take hours or days to arrive, depending on weather.
To access the islands, you need an entrance pass to the lakeshore. Pets are not allowed on the islands.
How many lighthouses are at the lakeshore?
The lakeshore features one lighthouse, located on South Manitou Island. The 100-foot South Manitou Island Lighthouse was in operation from 1871-1958, per the lakeshore’s website.
Previously, North Manitou Island Lighthouse, built in the late 1890s stood, joined by a lightship in 1910, until 1927. The light was replaced by the current North Manitou Shoal Light, an offshore beacon, completed in 1935, according to the North Manitou Light Keepers.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
BARRY COUNTY, Mich. – A Michigan woman’s non-winning ticket led her to a $100,000 lottery prize.
The 80-year-old Barry County woman, who decided to stay anonymous, won $100,000 after being selected in a random drawing on Tuesday, May 6, according to Michigan Lottery officials.
She earned entries into the drawing by scanning her non-winning $300,000,000 Extraordinaire tickets on the Michigan Lottery app.
“I scanned all of my non-winning $300,000,000 Extraordinaire tickets for second chance entries, but I never expected to win,” the player told Michigan Lottery officials. “When I got a call from the Lottery telling me I won a $100,000 prize, I thought it was a scam. Later that day, I saw an email from the Lottery regarding the prize and knew it must be real. Winning is a blessing and will provide a nice financial cushion.”
The 80-year-old woman plans to save her winnings.
The drawing on May 6 was the tenth and final $300,000,000 Extraordinaire second chance drawing, according to lottery officials. Two $100,000 prizes were given away during each of these drawings.
Even though this promotion is over, Michigan lottery players still have the chance to win up to $50,000 by scanning non-winning $6,000,000 Wealth tickets on the lottery app.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
It’s time to highlight some of the best of the best in girls tennis from across Michigan. MLive has compiled a list of some of the top junior girls tennis players from across the state, but we’re giving the readers the chance to crown the state’s top standout.
Readers will have until 9 a.m. on Monday, May 26, to cast their votes and the winner will be announced the following day.
Check out the candidates below and cast your vote below.
JUNIOR GIRLS TENNIS STARS
Daniella Ajao, North Farmington
Leslie Bahk, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
Helen Benjamin, Detroit Country Day
Samantha Bieber, Chelsea
Hailey Burd, Otsego
Sophie Burns, Rockford girls
Adelie Chen, Portage Central
Ana Cheng, Mattawan
Chloe Cox, Forest Hills Central
Sophia DiPilla, Northville
Alison Doka, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
Savannah Edwards, Swartz Creek
Addy Fales, Allegan
Alexis Gabriel, Utica Eisenhower
Ginger Golombisky, Owosso
Jiaqi Huang, Ann Arbor Huron
Julia Ivezaj, Wixom St. Catherine
Nainika Jasti, Troy
Jada Josifovski, Birmingham Seaholm
Emma Keeping, Imlay City
Elizabeth Kennamer, Clio
Keira Kirkland, Farmington Hills Mercy
Lauren Klawon, Bay City Central
Ellisen LaFay, Powers Catholic
Ashlee Michelson, Fenton
Harriet Ogilvie, Forest Hills Northern
Danica Rakic-Dennis, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Libby Reese, Lumen Christi Becca Brushaber Parma Western
Gabby Sadowski, Utica Eisenhower
Avery Taylor, Durand
Lucy Taylor, Chelsea
Caroline Torok, Bloomfield Hills Marian
Kenna Trost, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard
Ally Tunnicliff, Flushing
Brynlee Williams, Dexter
Lolyana Yapchai, Powers Catholic
Lauren Ye, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Audrey Yu, Ann Arbor Pioneer
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