Rochester Adams Dominates Brownstown Woodhaven in MHSAA Baseball Semifinal

EAST LANSING — After a slow start, the Rochester Adams baseball team showcased their offensive firepower against Brownstown Woodhaven in the MHSAA Division 1 semifinal on Friday, June 12. The Highlanders secured a 10-4 victory, marking their first trip to the state championship in three decades.

With a remarkable five-run second inning, Adams (29-8) overwhelmed Woodhaven at McLane Stadium. The Highlanders will now face Novi Detroit Catholic Central in the title game on Saturday at 5 p.m. "After the first inning, they just settled down," said Adams coach Andrew Lamkin. "The bats have been hot. I think they got pitches they could handle and just drove them."

Following a double play that closed the first inning, Adams ignited their offense in the second. The team batted through 11 players, racking up five runs on six hits along with two walks, forcing Woodhaven's starting pitcher, Tristan Spencer, to exit the game prematurely. Spencer allowed six hits and one walk before being replaced.

The rally commenced with a double from catcher McAllister Doelle, leading to a single from Rino Watters that brought him home. The bases were loaded when senior right fielder Dominic Dumitrescu hit a line-drive double, clearing the bases. "I was looking for a fastball middle away and got what I was looking for," Dumitrescu commented. He later added another RBI single in the third inning, contributing to Adams' substantial lead.

Junior pitcher Brady Lindstrom was effective on the mound, allowing three runs over six innings while relying on a solid defense, particularly from sophomore third baseman Evan Newingham. Despite Woodhaven scoring in the middle innings, Adams maintained control and added runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to secure their win.

With this victory, Adams advances to the Division 1 state championship, their first since back-to-back finals in 1995-96. Coach Lamkin, who returned to lead the team after a previous stint from 1994-2003, reflects on the journey: "It's a different perspective this time for me... to me, that's what I'm reflecting on." The Highlanders are on the brink of claiming their first-ever baseball title.