The Gaylord baseball team, led by coach Dan Mygrants, is optimistic about their mix of returning players and new talent as they aim for a successful season. Currently, they hold a record of 5-3 and are looking to improve their standing in the Big North Conference.
Key points
Gaylord baseball is optimistic about their season.
The team has a mix of experienced players and new talent.
They currently have a record of 5-3, 1-3 in the Big North Conference.
Coach Dan Mygrants emphasizes the team's high baseball IQ and hard work.
The team aims for a district title in 2026.
Mentioned in this story
Dan Mygrants
Gaylord baseballBig North Conference
GAYLORD ― The diamonds in Gaylord have been a popular place during the past six spring seasons. That's mostly thanks to the Gaylord softball program, a two-time state champion that has dominated headlines in recent years, but coach Dan Mygrants and the GHS baseball program continue to build their team into a competitor in the Big North Conference and, hopefully, a team in the mix for a district title in 2026.
This season, a mix of experienced pitching, a few reliable bats and some new additions has the Blue Devils off to a solid start (5-3, 1-3 Big North), hoping to build confidence for a postseason run at the end of May.
"There's some growth happening early on, but these guys have a high baseball IQ and they work hard," said Mygrants.
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Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Gaylord baseball optimistic with mix of returning talent, youth
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
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Photos from Gaylord baseball at Boyne City on Friday, April 17
Gaylord baseball visited Boyne City for a doubleheader on Friday, April 17, the Blue Devils sweeping the Ramblers.
Last season: 22-9-2, Lost in Division 2 district semifinals at Petoskey.
Key Departures: Brennan Radulski, Collin Piehl, Isaac Collins, Lucas Green, Noah Vanderveer.
Key Returners: Josias Ferrett, Brady Shepherd, Finn Miller.
Gaylord's roster, much like the rest of the BNC, saw significant turnover from 2025 to 2026, graduating all but three starters from a team that won more than 20 games for the second straight season. Still, the players that are returning will give GHS a chance to be competitive, while a few key additions should provide more optimism on the ceiling of the team.
No returning player will be as impactful as junior Josias Ferrett, the reigning Gaylord Herald Times Baseball Player of the Year, returning after a statistically dominant sophomore season (7-1 pitching record,1.00 earned run average, 53 strikeouts, .310 batting average, 23 hits, 19 runs scored,14 RBIs).
He took the BNC by storm last year; now, he'll be the focal point of opposing teams when Gaylord comes to town. Coach Mygrants isn't too worried about the extra attention Ferrett will likely get.
"Josias does what he does, and that is play the game hard," said Mygrants. "Whether he is at first base, in the outfield, on the mound or in the batter's box, I've never seen a kid play as hard as he plays. He's just 100% all the time. I don't think he cares, and I don't care if someone knows he's coming, because they still have to hit it."
Josias Ferrett is the reigning GHT Baseball Player of the Year, looking to build on a breakout sophomore season this year.
Josias Ferrett is the reigning GHT Baseball Player of the Year, looking to build on a breakout sophomore season this year.
Seniors Brady Shepherd and Finn Miller, along with Ferrett, give the Blue Devils three returning arms they can rely on, while a key transfer, Zayden Mullins, will fill a gap left behind the plate by longtime catcher Brennan Radulski.
While they continue to work off the early-season rust, they hope the mix of experience and youth will blend well with time and lead to some memorable moments later on.
Remaining Schedule
Friday, April 24 at Kearsley
Monday, April 27 vs. Traverse City St. Francis
Tuesday, April 28 vs. Sault Area
Thursday, April 30 vs. Harbor Light Christian
Tuesday, May 5 vs. Alpena
Wednesday, May 6 at Elk Rapids
Tuesday, May 12 at Petoskey
Saturday, May 16 at North Branch
Tuesday, May 19 vs. Cadillac
Thursday, May 21 vs. Escanaba
Friday, May 22 vs. Shepherd
Tuesday, May 26 at Inland Lakes
Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen
