Tyler Bondy, head coach of Jefferson's baseball team, is optimistic about the team's future after a challenging start. He previously played for the Bears' state championship team in 2002.
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MILAN â Tyler Bondy knows what is possible for Jeffersonâs baseball team.
He played for the Bearsâ state championship team in 2002.
But the first four seasons as head coach at his alma mater have been rough.
Things seem to be changing.
More: Monroe County Region high school sports roundup for Tuesday, April 21
Jefferson, which often has five freshmen in the starting lineup this spring, improved to 7-3 with a 5-3 victory over Milan on Wednesday, April 22.
âWeâre a scrappy young team learning on the fly,â Bondy said.
Freshmen were at the forefront of the latest win for the Bears.
Hunter Barton pitches for Jefferson during a 5-3 win over Milan on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Hunter Barton earned the pitching win and helped his own cause with a key double.
âHeâs been tremendous,â Bondy said of the freshman hurler. âHe never gets rattled.â
Fellow members of the Class of 2029 Caleb Henry and Jett Jones racked up two hits each and Brayden Burkmier contributed a clutch hit.
Bondy says itâs nothing new for Henry and Jones to lead the offense.
Jefferson celebrates a 5-3 win over Milan on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
âTheyâve been really coming through of late,â Bondy said. âThe last few games, theyâve gotten hot. Several freshmen are maturing quickly.â
Henry took over for Barton on the mound in the fifth inning and picked up a save, giving up just one hit and no runs.
Tyler Bondy has faced a rough start during his first four seasons as head coach at Jefferson.
Tyler Bondy played for Jefferson's state championship baseball team in 2002.
The performance of Jefferson's baseball team seems to be improving after a challenging period.
The April 22 sports roundup highlights key developments and performances in high school sports within the Monroe County region.
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Ryan Hatfield went 2-for-3 and drove in two runs for Milan.
BASEBALL
Jack Baker, Airport: Enjoyed a 3-for-4 day at the plate to spark a 4-3 win over Flat Rock. Brenden Smith added two hits and Cash Nye drove in a pair of runs. Evan Szalay homered for Flat Rock.
Owen DeLano, New Boston Huron: Tossed a five-inning no-hitter while collecting two hits and two stolen bases to lead an 11-0 victory over Grosse Ile.. Cash Moczydlowsky and Dayton Miller also finished with two hits and Dominic Russo drove in three runs.
Jason Bryant and Brody Leonhard, Bedford: Notched two hits each in a 13-2 loss to Dexter. The Mules dipped to 7-3.
Asher Simmons, Monroe: Struck out 11 in six innings of a 9-5 triumph over Ann Arbor Skyline. Dalen Cosby led the offense with three hits and Landon Loveland drove in two runs.
Brody Masters, Whiteford: Rang up three hits during a 16-1 win over Erie Mason. Cooper Call and Tre Eitniear added two hits apiece to support strong pitching from Luke Henegar as the Bobcats improved to 6-2.
Brock Cousino, SMCC: Collected two hits and drove in two runs to spark a 7-4 win over Riverview. Steel Decator tossed a complete game for the 8-3 Falcons, ranked No. 4 in Division 3. âWe played a much cleaner game today,â SMCC coach Jared Janssen.
Reece Kalb, Summerfield: Singled, doubled and tripled while tossing a 3-hitter with 13 strikeouts during a 15-1 romp over Sand Creek. Clark Cicelli also had three hits and Josh Horak two. Summerfield led 6-2 when the second game was suspended.
SOFTBALL
Avy Wood, Whiteford: Went 3-for-3 to support the 2-hit pitching of Peyton Welch in a 19-0 win over Erie Mason. Welch struck out 12 in five innings and Ava Butz, Addeson Cousino, and Macy Ovall logged two hits each.
Brityn Duffy, Airport: Collected two hits in a 7-3 loss to Riverview. âDefensively we made too many mistakes that turned into runs for the Pirates and just couldnât recover,â Airport coach Jessica Irwin said of her teamâs first loss of the season.
GIRLS SOCCER
Savanna Rupnow, New Boston Huron: Scored twice in a 4-0 win over Milan. Ava Banko and Avery Turk scored the other goals, Leah Purcell, Miley Skamiera, Kayla Christesen and Malaya Singer logged assists and Brooke Burke pitched a shutout.
Camryn Cousino, Jefferson-Erie Mason: Racked up four goals and an assist to lead a 6-1 win over Flat Rock. Kate Otting and Madalyn Thompson scored the other goals and Alaina Rosensteel logged a pair of assists.
BOYS GOLF
Colin Gilleran, Flat Rock: Shot a medalist round of 44 to lead the Rams past St. Mary Catholic Central 182-191. Ben Scully added a 45. Jeff Gessner (46) and Brandon Peppers (47) led SMCC.
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Allie Root, Dundee: Won the long jump and ran with Sophia Nolff, Aisley Cousino and Maddie Salenbien on the winning 800 relay as the Vikings beat Clinton79-53Â and lost to Blissfield 81-51. Lily Ratliff was the high jump champ.
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Jayden Sharpe, Ranveer Singh and Luke Bishop, Dundee: Triumphed in individual events during losses to Blissfield 97-45 and Clinton 81-51. Sharpe took the 800, Singh the discus and Bishop the pole vault.
GIRLS TENNIS
Morgan Wort and Maggie Samford, Gibraltar Carlson: Posted a win at No. 1 to lead a doubles sweep during a 7-1 triumph over Riverview Gabriel Richard. Others involved in the sweep were Gabby Peer-Riley Graham, Mena Sladich-Madelyn Mead and Sophia Gaynier-Molly Owen.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Freshmen take lead as Jefferson baseball team continues resurgence