South Lyon finally ended Lakeland’s supremacy at the top of the Lakes Valley Conference last season.

Will the Eagles take their place back at the top, or will another team capture the crown? Here’s a look at the LVC programs heading into the 2025 season. (Note: Some information was provided by coaches, and not all coaches submitted.)

Lakeland

Head coach: Aaron Bell

Last year’s record: 28-12

Returning starters: Bo Bishop (OF, Jr.), Adam Trzcinski (OF, Sr.), Carter Travis (3B, Jr.), (Ethan Yen (SS/P, Sr.), Cam Chinavare (1B, Sr.), Jackson Miller (P, Sr.), Nate Sanko (P, Sr.), Brady Culpepper (P, Sr.), Jake Sovari (P, Jr.)

Strengths: Leadership from senior class, pitching and overall team depth.

Overview: Despite not winning the league last season, the Eagles won a district championship before longtime head coach Brad Farquhar announced his retirement, ending his second tenure at the school in which Lakeland won five LVC titles in a row and posted a conference record of 119-18. New head coach Aaron Bell, an assistant under Farquhar, said of this year’s team, “This is a mature group of players with lots of varsity experience. Our goal is to be playing our best baseball by the end of the season.”

Milford

Head coach: Chris Mocerino

Last year’s record: 13-23

Overview: The Mavericks underwent a coaching change from Jeremy Krol to Mocerino in the offseason. Craig Borges (1B/RHP, Jr.) Brady Heggemeyer (3B/P, Sr.) and Josh Sanchez (SS/RHP, So.) are among the key returners for Milford.

South Lyon

Head coach: Erich Stephenson

Last year’s record: 30-10

Returning starters: Luke Stevens (3B/P, Sr.), Aiden Robinson (OF/P, Sr., Braden Fox (SS/P, Sr.), Sam Stoll (1B, Sr.), Andrew Verona-Kerley (C, Sr.), Gavin Crowley (OF, Sr.), Gavin Martinkowski (OF, Sr.), Jack Williams (2B, Sr.), Jack Cumberland (2B/P, Sr.), Chris Mathis (P, Sr.) Ryan Walters (P, Sr.), Jacob Hardin (P, Sr.)

Strengths: Pitching, experience and senior leadership

Overview: The Lions went 22-2 in the league last season, dropping just a game each to Lakeland and Walled Lake Western. “This is an experienced team where six of them have been on varsity since sophomore year,” Stepheson said. “Our junior class has strong pieces that will contribute and grow with our senior class. Expectations are high but our team is ready to tackle every challenge put in front of us.”

South Lyon East

Head coach: Kevin Simono

Last year’s record: 17-14

Overview: Senior Jack Vargo is already off to a strong start for a Cougars rotation that also includes juniors Alex Warrick and Will Noonan. Vargo and junior catcher Jaden Saavedra (Bowling Green) will provide some of the pop in the lineup for East, who finished fourth in the league last season.

Walled Lake Central

Head coach: Tyler Troyer

Last year’s record: 16-19

Overview: The Vikings had a good amount of turnover last season, but that leads to some returning talent for a team that continues to schedule good non-conference opponents like Northville and Novi. Center fielder Luke Nelson, a contributor as an underclassman, is now a senior and continues to provide pop at the top of the order. Nick Campbell, Jack Shaw and Parker Stasak are all guys who have been multi-year contributors who will look to boost Central above .500 in the league after posting an 11-13 last season.

Walled Lake Northern

Head coach: Pete Lamerato

Last year’s record: 25-13

Overview: Longtime coach Pete Lamerato’s team finished third in the LVC with a 15-9 league record last season, then watched its season end in a 14-inning marathon against Lakeland in districts. The Knights will lean on arms like JP Merritt, Brandon Jones and Aiden Zimmerman, while Luke Meehan, Carson Beattie and Landon Wilkoff should provide good production at the front end of the lineup.

Walled Lake Western

Head coach: Scott Peterson

Last year’s record: 15-12

Overview: The Warriors went on an eight-game winning streak last season in April and will hope to replicate that early on again this spring. Western, who finished fifth in the league in 2024, have already gotten strong starts out of senior Zachary Emmer, while outfielder Bernie Amador, infielder Mickey Gross and catcher Logan Saks are among the bats who will look to bring the boom for the Warriors.

Waterford Kettering

Head coach: Frank Vigliarolo

Last year’s record: 14-18

Overview: Carson Rekar and Tyler Yuhas will provide lots of innings for Kettering, with Rekar and catcher Kaiden Kapa bring plenty of experience as guys who started as early as sophomores. The Captains will also count on the bats of Zach Helka, Griffin Springs and Trevor Meredith.

Waterford Mott

Head coach: Josh Martin

Last year’s record: 2-27

Overview: The Corsairs have transitioned from James Trimm to Josh Martin in the dugout after a difficult campaign that saw the Corsairs win just one league game against South Lyon East. Senior Nick Sroczynski is a four-year starter who provides experience as well as skill both on the mound and in the infield. He’ll provide offense, too, along with junior Hunter Pozzi-Mondeau, who will often man center field, as well as senior first baseman Drew Jolly.