Carey, Baker to play in East-West All-Star game

This year’s 33rd annual Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA) East-West All-Star Game will have two local players featured among the best in the state. Tecumseh senior pitcher/third baseman Phil Carey and Clinton senior pitcher/infielder TJ Baker will be members of the West team on Thursday, July 10, at Comerica Park, the home of Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers. The MHSBCA East-West All-Star Game features 36 of the state’s top seniors. The West team is coached by John Judge of Benzie Central, Paul Schneider of Portage Central and Brad Antcliff of Beal City.Carey, a Hillsdale College recruit, went 7-2 on the mound for the Indians, while batting .330 with eight doubles, four home runs, 28 RBIs and 23 runs scored. He led Tecumseh to the Southeastern Conference White Division championship and a Division 2 district title.Baker was 10-0 in 12 appearances entering regional play with a 0.09 ERA and a 0.46 WHIP, giving up only three unearned runs all season. He allowed 17 hits, walked 13 and struck out a school-record 146 batters. Baker had allowed only one extra-base hit, and opposing batters hit just .078 against him.At the plate, Baker batted .450 (54-120) and led the county in runs scored (44) and stolen bases (37). He ranked second in the county in hits (49), doubles (14), triples (four) and RBIs (38). He recorded two home runs and had 38 RBI.Baker helped Clinton win both the Tri-County Conference championship and the Redskins’ third consecutive district crown.Baker recently committed to attending Ball State University to play baseball.During his four-year career with the Redskins, Baker set the following records:Single season school records —Batting avg., .550; Hits, 60; ERA, 0.09; Strikeouts, 146.Career school records —Batting avg., .484 (186-384); Hits, 186, Runs scored, 128; Doubles, 41; Triples, 10; RBI, 127; Hit by pitch, 16; Stolen bases, 96; and ERA, 0.99.Tickets for the All-Star Game will be available the day of the game at Comerica Park for $10.