‘Underdog’ Plymouth-Canton team so close to playing on ESPN
The history-making Plymouth-Canton Little League team consisted of coaches Chad Mitchell, Randy Gerber and Patrick Garrett; and players Karson Taylor, Jett Mitchell, Jagger Mitchell, Caleb Trice, John Safranski, Kevin Dace, Gavin Contreras, Dominic McHenry, Kameron Taylor, Dylan Catterall, Gabe Garrett and Shawn Kalinsky.
Defying its underdog status, a team of 12-and-under Plymouth-Canton Little League players nearly pulled off a feat this week that would have been worthy of an ESPN 30 For 30 documentary.
Led by Head Coach Chad Mitchell and assistants Randy Gerber and Patrick Garrett, the PCLL Majors team upset 2021 Little League World Series champions Taylor North, 9-4, in a thrilling state semifinal extra-innings game Tuesday to advance to Wednesday’s Michigan championship game against Negaunee.
A nail-biting 6-5 triumph in the quarterfinal round over Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor propelled PCLL into the semis.
Adding to the drama, the squad almost didn’t advance to bracket play in the Saginaw-hosted state tournament, moving on thanks to winning a tie-breaker after finishing 1-2 in pool play.
Team’s accomplishments can’t be diminished by loss
Just a victory away from qualifying for a spot in the ESPN-televised Little League national regional competition, PCLL seized an early 1-0 lead before ultimately falling short against Negaunee — a perennially powerful program based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The PCLL organization had never advanced a team to the state championship game throughout its long an heralded history.
Comprised entirely of players who reside in Plymouth or Canton, the PCLL Majors All-Star team was assembled just two weeks prior to the state tournament, but immediately built a team chemistry that bolstered their against-the-odds journey.
“The best things about this team are its passion for the game and dedication to working as hard as it takes to reach success,” said PCLL President Jeremy Greenleaf. “Not only are they driven to play their best baseball, they’ve all become such good friends in a matter of a few weeks.
“The cool thing is some of these kids have been playing together since T-Ball. Some of them play on the same travel teams, but for the most part, many of them were strangers until they were picked for this year’s All-Star team.”
‘They stayed together, worked hard’
Greenleaf said the organization’s decision-makers could see a bright future for this year’s Majors team as far back as 2023 when its most-veteran players were just 10.
“You could kind of tell they were going to make a mark once they got up to the Majors level, as long as the core group stayed together,” Greenleaf said. “They stayed together, worked hard the past two years and that’s why they were able to make PCLL history by making it to the state title game.”
A bit of irony unfolded when PCLL faced Taylor North in a game most observers felt Taylor would win handily.
“Our head coach, Chad Mitchell, is really good friends with Taylor North’s head coach,” Greenleaf said. “They have old pictures of their sons playing together when they were toddlers.”
Game for the ages
The PCLL-Taylor North game was deadlocked at 0-0 after the tense opening six innings, sending the game to extras.
PCLL exploded for nine runs in the top of the seventh before holding off North, which tallied four runs in the bottom of the seventh.
“It was surreal how we just getting getting hit after hit in the top of the seventh,” Greenleaf said.
“Going into the state tournament, everybody figured either Grosse Pointe City or Taylor North would win it, but our boys didn’t let that affect the way they played.”
All P-C schools middle schools represented
PCLL’s players attended every middle school in the Plymouth-Canton Schools’ district — and some attend private schools including All Saints Catholic School in Plymouth and Plymouth Christian Academy.
The complete team roster includes: twins Jett and Jagger Mitchell, Caleb Trice, John Safranski, Kevi Dace, Gavin Contreras, Dominic McHenry, Kameron Taylor, Dylan Catterall, Gabe Garrett and Shawn Kalinksy.
While everyone made significant contributions to the amazing late-season run, seven PCLL players made a top players in Michigan “watchlist”: Jett and Jagger Mitchell, Caleb Trice, John Safranski, Gavin Contreras and Kameron Taylor.
Although just 10 years old, Trice was one of the pitching staff’s aces, mowing down hitters with a 70-miles-per-hour-plus fastball.
Words can’t describe level of pride
“While the outcome of the championship game may not have been what we envisioned,” Greenleaf noted in a letter to the team’s players, coaches and parents, “we at PCLL want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable achievements you all have made throughout the District and State Tournament.
Each of you stepped onto the field with an unwavering commitment, showcasing incredible heart, determination, and a deep passion for the game that unites us all.”
Registration for PCLL fall leagues is now open.
To register players aged 4 to 15, click here.
