Troy

'The perfect measuring stick'

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Troy High gets early crack at defending Division 1 state champs

TROY — If Frank DiVito had had his way last season, his Troy High baseball team would have gotten a shot to upend one of the best teams in the state on the grandest of stages.

Unfortunately, for the Colts, the Division 1 playoff run came to a close in the semifinals, one win shy of meeting Birmingham Brother Rice for the title.

Now, just a couple of weeks into the 2009 season, DiVito will get his wish, with slightly less on the line.

“We’re looking forward to this matchup,” the Troy coach said of his team’s April 17 game against the defending state champ. “It’ll be the perfect measuring stick to where we are right now.”

Brother Rice, which won the state title by beating the same Saline High team that had eliminated Troy, was off to a 3-0 start at press time and had returned all but one starter from last season’s squad.

Troy, which was 1-1 at press time, returned eight, including five starters. When asked what would be key against Brother Rice, DiVito just laughed.

“Well, one thing is for sure, you have to limit mistakes,” he said. “You can’t give a team like that more chances than they need to beat you. If they’re going to win, let them do it on their own. We can’t make things any easier.”

If there is an advantage to be had, DiVito feels like his team will be well rested. After a week off for spring break, the team had two scheduled games and two scheduled practices prior to April 17. Brother Rice, conversely, had seven scheduled games in four days prior to traveling to Troy.

“They’re going to be busy before seeing us,” DeVito laughed.

Still, he expects his team to throw everything it has at the champs.

“This could give us a good feel for exactly where we are,” DiVito added. “It’s a good chance for us to get out and build some confidence. This is a team we’d love to see down the road again.”

After April 17, the next possible meeting would be June 13 in the state finals.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.