Brandon’s varsity baseball program recently earned its second straight All-State selection in as many years.
Recently graduated senior Andy Harding, a center fielder for the Blackhawks, made the Division 2 All-State first team by a vote of the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA). Harding was the only Flint Metro League player named to the Division 2 first team.
Last year, Brandon’s Derek Foyt, who was redshirted his freshman year at Saginaw Valley State University in 2005-06, was named to the Division 2 All-State first team as an outfielder.
Brandon has had three other All-State first team selections in Coach Ron Wagner’s 15 years at the helm of the Blackhawks? program: Joe Mannor (2001), Morgan Sheppard (2001) and Aaron Johnson (2000).
Wagner said Harding was already a solid hitter when he was first called up to the Blackhawks? varsity in the middle of his freshman year, but worked to become even better at it.
‘He got a little stronger ? last year, he didn’t play basketball, so he spent time in the weight room, and he went through the program,? Wagner said.
This past year, Harding proved to be a potent force in the Blackhawks? lineup, batting .461 with nine home runs and 54 RBI. Wagner said Harding also excelled defensively in center field, thanks to his speed.
‘That will be one position we’ll be hurting at next year,? Wagner said.
This summer, Harding will be playing travel baseball for the North Oakland Yankees. Among the team’s tournaments they will participate in will be a trip to Penn State University.
In the upcoming school year, Harding will head to Oakland University, where he has earned a scholarship with the Golden Grizzlies? baseball program. As he did with the Blackhawks, Harding will be playing outfield for the Golden Grizzlies.
Wagner said Harding has a solid shot at success with Oakland.
‘I don’t know how he’ll do at the beginning of the year, but I think within one or two years, he’ll work his way into the starting lineup,? he said.