Three Cardinal standouts to continue careers in Benton Harbor

by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor

Three Onaway High School baseball players will have fewer worries than most athletes making the tough transition from high school to the collegiate level.

 

Senior ball players Tommy Auger, Andrew Prow and Chris Cleaver signed with Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor to continue playing the sports they love.

Unlike most elite athletes making the jump to college sports, who head down the path alone, these guys will have the unique opportunity to do it together. They will play on the diamond together, as they have most of their careers, and will share an apartment.

They won’t even have to change school colors. They will go from being Red Birds to Red Hawks. The two-year college’s mascot was the Indians up until two years ago.

“I think it is pretty amazing,” said shortstop Chris Cleaver. “It’s a good feeling that you play baseball all of your life and then you get to keep playing after high school. Not every kid gets that opportunity. It’s really cool.” It runs in the Cleaver family too. Cleaver’s sisters, Molly and Danielle, both played at two-year programs.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” said Prow, a starting pitcher for Onaway this spring. “But, it should be a lot easier having someone else to rely on and talk to.”

“I feel more confident going down there with Andrew and Chris,” said Auger, who is the starting center fielder.“I think it will be a great time. Playing at the next level will be a great honor. I can’t wait for it, it is going to be exciting.”

Last year, the trio helped the Cards win the program’s first district title since 2006, as well as a Ski Valley Conference title. The 2013 squad lost a regional semifinal game to Atlanta last June in Sault Ste. Marie.

Crull said the boys all expressed a desire to continue at the next level and everything else fell into place after that.

The coach took Auger and Cleaver down to Benton Harbor for a workout and met with Lake Michigan coach Scott Ponegalek.

“The coach wanted them,” said Crull. “Coach Ponegalek, we talked to him for a while, you could really tell he was about the kids, not the athletes so much. He wants to know the parents. He wants to know their background. I really respect that. At that level, it’s easy to get wrapped on the athletic side, and forget about who the kid is.”

They were going to go to other colleges, but Lake Michigan had the program Cleaver wanted to pursue. “He was already looking at that school,” added Crull.

Prow explored other options, but ultimately decided to join his high school classmates.

Cleavers believes they can make the ball team better.

“I feel like we can make a big presence for ourselves,” said Cleaver.

“I am extremely proud,” said Crull. “Those kids worked their tails off this year, and they have ever s

ince I took over when they were sophomores. Every year they improved.”

The coach said the young men enjoy playing the game.

“Although I am going to be heartbroken when they leave, I will havce a big smile on my face knowing they are going to play at the next level. They deserve it.”

Of course, there is still plenty of baseball to be played with the bold “Onaway,” across their chests as they gear up for what should be a competitive district tournament in Johannesburg after Memorial Day. Saturday they are in Posen for a tournament and the weather should be nice for once.