Hartland’s Baker named co-Mr. Baseball

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Hartland senior John Baker capped a stellar high school career Tuesday by being named the co-winner of the Mr. Baseball award, as voted on by the state’s coaches association.

Hartland baseball coach Brian Morrison, left, and John Baker pose with the Mr. Baseball trophy on Tuesday. Baker is the first Hartland player to earn the award, which he shared with Portage Northern's Tommy Henry.
Hartland baseball coach Brian Morrison, left, and John Baker pose with the Mr. Baseball trophy on Tuesday. Baker is the first Hartland player to earn the award, which he shared with Portage Northern’s Tommy Henry.

Baker shares the award with Portage Northern’s Tommy Henry, whom he outdueled in last year’s Division 1 state championship game, which Hartland went on to win 2-1 in 10 innings.

Baker was outstanding on the mound for a second season. After a loss to Howell in his first start of the season, he was mostly unhittable the rest of the way, finishing with a 0.76 earned run average.

His best game arguably came in relief, when he shut out Brighton for 10 innings in relief, striking out 14, then hitting the game-winning homer in the bottom of the 18th inning to give the Eagles a 1-0 victory.

He also was dominant in a quarterfinal win against Rochester, striking out 12 and coming within one out of a no-hitter.

Baker also was named to the all-division Dream Team by the coaches. He previously had been named to the all-state team for the second year in a row.

Baker, who will play his college baseball at Ball State, also led the Eagles in most offensive categories, hitting around .400 while leading the team in home runs and RBIs.

Baker and Hartland coach Brian Morrison were part of the annual All-Star game at Comerica Park on Wednesday. He is the first Livingston County representative since Hartland’s Jake Lowery and Brighton’s Ryan McClelland played in the 2013 game.

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