DETROIT -- The fifth annual WSU baseball home run derby fundraiser was held on Friday, September 20 at Comerica Park. Redshirt senior
Reagan Paulina (Highland, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central [Oakland]) defeated junior
Bennett Hitzelberger (Richmond, Mich.) in a sudden death swing off following a 10-homer tie in the championship round. The total amount raised came out to $44,969 and was derived from 361 different donors/donations.
Results - First Round
8 HR - Tony Hatzigeorgiou (Oxford, Mich.)
3 HR -
Logan Van Sicklen (Waterford Twp., Mich. / Waterford Kettering)
2 HR -
Owen Tuccinardi (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Skyline)
0 HR - Alumnus
Frank Jeney (2002-05)
3 HR - Drew Hill (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North) - (advanced because he hit the most balls off the outfield wall)
3 HR -
Aidan Arbogast (Livonia, Mich. / Livonia Stevenson [Mid-Michigan C.C. / Kellogg C.C. / Eastern Michigan])
0 HR -
Mason McGuire (Lyon Twp., Mich. / Brighton [Mott CC])
3 HR - Alumnus
Paul LaMantia (2009-10) - 3
0 HR -
Drew Dawson (Plymouth, Mich.)
6 HR - Reagan Paulina
8 HR - Bennett Hitzelberger
1 HR - Alumnus
Justin Kelly (2016-19)
Semifinals
2 seed - Hatzigeorgiou - 7
3 seed - Paulina - 8
4 seed - Hill - 4
1 seed - Hitzelberger - 5
Finals
3 seed - Paulina - 10 (hit HR on second swing)
1 seed - Hitzelberger - 10 (failed to hit HR on second swing)
"This event continues to gain momentum every year," said head coach
Ryan Kelley. "What a memorable night in downtown Detroit! A sincere thank you to so many who contributed to our student-athletes as they pursue a successful 2025. Your generosity will support their experience on and off the field. We are grateful for the team effort of individual donors, sponsors, fans and our tremendous alumni. Thank you to our neighbors with the Detroit Tigers organization and their specialized departments for providing a professional experience. A Warrior thank you to our WSU Athletics support teams for your unparalleled collaboration. Thank you for joining us at Comerica Park, we look forward to seeing you again at Harwell Field!"
"First off, I want to say thank you to all those who donated, your generosity does not go unnoticed," said Paulina. "I also want to say thank you to my team:
Brady Blakita,
Braylon Laroo and
Steven Whitted for the energy they gave to me. Another thank you is for Eric Shutter, my BP thrower. He was phenomenal! Lastly, Backyard Bats, Paul LaMantia and Ryan Lapensee. These guys and their great company were in full support before and during the event. Overall, I am so grateful to be able to have the time to hit at Comerica under the lights. It was an unforgettable night and experience with this team!"
"Being a part of the annual Warrior Baseball Home Run Derby at Comerica Park was a great opportunity to really experience how far WSU baseball has evolved over the years," said Jeney, Wayne State Athletics Hall of Famer, Class of 2011. "What really stuck out to me was the current players who went out of their way to make the alumni feel like part of the program again. Special thank you to alumni Paul Lamantia and
Matthew Williams for their leadership in making this happen as well as the WSU athletics department and head coach
Ryan Kelley for fostering the platform for alumni to be able to generate funds to be used to help local youth have future opportunities to take part in a baseball experience."
Comerica Park outfield shag youth programs included participants from Lakeside Baseball, the Indians Baseball Club-IBC and Commerce Legends. Kellan of Team Impact signed a National Letter of Intent with Wayne State baseball during the on-field celebration as well.
Guest Batting Practice Pitchers
Hatzigeorgiou: Steve Hatzigeorgiou (Father)
Hitzelberger: WSU Alumnus
Seth Marano
Jenney: Will Cockrum
Hill: Jason Hill (Father)
Arbogast: Shawn Arbogast (Father)
McGuire: Greg McGuire (Father)
LaMantia: Jamie Kell
Tuccinardi: Sandro Tuccinardi (Dad)
Paulina: Eric Shutter (Friend)
