MOTT BEARS ⚫ LATEST MCCAA / NJCAA NEWS

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BY ERIC THOMPSON

CCN Sports Writer

FLINT (CCN) — All the title talk by the red-hot Mott Bears was drowned out by the bats of visiting Henry Ford Community College Saturday (March 29, 2025) at Kearsley Park.

Henry Ford CC won big over the Bears in a 9-3 romp that was an early showdown for first place in the Eastern Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

Mott went to Detroit Thursday (March 27, 2025) locked in a four-way tie for the top spot with Henry Ford CC, Macomb CC and Schoolcraft CC.

The Bears won an 8-7 thriller over Schoolcraft CC Thursday in a 10-inning thriller on the revamped site of the old Tiger Stadium now used by Schoolcraft CC for its home games.

The victory over the Ocelots Thursday in Detroit was red hot Mott's 8th in the last 9 games after an 0-8 start this spring.

Christensen's Bears went into Saturday's action tied at 3-1 atop the MCCAA's Eastern Conference with the visitors from Henry Ford CC.

Mott fell into a second-place tie at 3-2 with the Schoolcraft team the Bears beat last week and the defending co-champs of the MCCAA's Eastern Conference — the Monarchs of Macomb CC who shared last year's crown with Jackson CC.

Schoolcraft CC nipped Macomb CC 7-6 Saturday in a 9-inning game to knock the Monarchs out of first place and create the three-way tie for second place.

Mott, which won 12-9 last week at Jackson, will find out if its for real in the title hunt next week with back-to-back doubleheaders against Macomb CC. The Bears go to Macomb on Thursday (April 3, 2025) and host the Monarchs on Saturday (April 5, 2025).

Mott's home games are at Ernie Myers Ball Diamond in Kearsley Park which is located across the street from the Longway Blvd. entrance to the college's campus.

The first pitch is set for 2 pm Saturday.

Before the showdown with Macomb CC, Mott has a non-conference contest scheduled for Tuesday (April 1, 2025) at Kalamazoo Valley CC.

The Cougars of Kalamazoo Valley are 13-6 overall and currently in a three-way tie for the MCCAA's Western Conference lead with Lansing CC and Battle Creek Kellogg CC. The trio has 3-1 records in MCCAA action.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

DETROIT (CCN) — The Mott Bears have not put won a baseball championship since 1978 but there's a flicker of hope about Coach Roger Christensen adding to the trophy case this spring after Thursday's (March27, 2025) trip to Detroit.

(Click for Related Story in Today's Local Sports Section: Read "Sports Thoughts" column)

The Bears must now be considered serious contenders for a junior college baseball championship in the Eastern Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA).

They went to Detroit's Corner Ballpark  Thursday in a four-way tie for the Eastern Conference lead with Livonia's Schoolcraft CC, Dearborn Henry Ford CC and Macomb CC, and the Bears emerged as a first-place survivor by beating the host Ocelots 8-7 in a 10-inning thriller on the revamped site of the old Tiger Stadium now used by Schoolcraft CC for its home games.

The victory was red hot Mott's 8th in the last 9 games after an 0-8 start to the spring.

Christensen's Bears are now 3-1 atop the MCCAA's Eastern Conference.

They return home Saturday (March 20, 2025) for another first-place showdown when hosting Henry Ford in a 1 pm showdown on the Ernie Myers Baseball Diamond at Kearsley Park across from Mott CC's Longway Blvd. entrance.

The Bears trailed most of the way Thursday before scoring four times in the 8th inning to go up 6-3. The Ocelots tied the game in the bottom of the 9th to send the contest to extra innings.

Freshman Timothy Geottes of Utica High in Shelby Township drilled a two-run single in the top of the 10th to putt Mott back ahead.

With the tying run aboard in the bottom of the 10th, a 6-4-3 double play then finished off Schoolcraft to end it. 

Geottes finished 3-for-4 along with drawing a walk. One of his other hits was for extra bases as he slugged a double to go with his three singles.

Three other freshman came up big. Shortstop Ryan Metz of Brighton blasted a home run for Mott, second baseman John LaVallier of Lake Fenton added an RBI sacrifice fly and DH Malaki Edwards of Flushing added two hit and two RBI's while scoring twice.

Two sophomores also figured big into the offensive assault. Rightfielder Benjamin Korson of Stony Creek added a double and scored twice while centerfielder Nathan McDonald of Macomb  L'Anse Creuse North had an RBI sacrifice fly , scored twice and swiped a pair of bases.  McDonald , John LaVallier 

Freshman pitcher Conor Sweeny of Dexter started for the Bears and went 5 innings. He left trailing 3-2 and only one run he gave up was earned.

Sweeny struck out 5 batters while walking 3 and giving up only two hits.

Sophomore Cole Schmidt of Bay City Western was the winner in relief.

He got the last six outs and avenged blowing the save opportunity in the bottom of the 9th when surrendering the tying run. Coach Chrisensen stuck with him though for the 10th and Schmidt served up the double play ball to put the nails in the coffin for Schoolcraft to keep Mott's title aspirations burning bright.

Mott hasn't put any baseball hardware in the trophy case since a 1978 MCCAA championship.

Mott's best finish in MCCAA play under Christensen was in his rookie season at the helm when the Bears were not close to a title at 18-10.

Christen is now 120-102 all-time in MCCAA play since taking the top job a decade ago.

He's 188-170 overall to rank third on Mott's all-time career victory list — behind only legendary figures Ernie Myers and John Myers.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this photo is Coach Roger Christensen who has his Mott Bears eyeing their first title run in decades.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — Mott Community College baseball and first place showdowns have not mentioned much in the same sentence in recent decades.

It's been since 1978 that the Mott Bears have won a championship in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCAA).

But the Bears will go to Detroit on Thursday for a 2 pm game against the Schoolcraft CC Ocelots with first place on the line after blanking the St. Clair Skippers 6-0 Sunday (March 23, 2025) afternoon on Ernie Myers Ball Diamond in Flint at Kearsley Park.

The Bears are 2-1 in the MCCAA's Eastern Conference and tied with Schoolcraft CC, Henry Ford CC and Macomb CC.

Thursday's battle will be on historic grounds at the former site of Tiger Stadium. Schoolcraft CC uses Corner Ballpark there for its home games.

Mott improved to 7-9 overall by beating St. Clair CC Sunday. It was the 7th victory in the last 8 games for the Bears after a lousy 0-8 start this spring.

Michael Jockwig picked up the victory on the mound by tossing 7 innings of two-hit ball.

The sophomore hurler from Lake Orion walked two and struck out 4 batters.

Reliever Carson Haddad, a freshman from Lake Fenton, picked up the save by coming on for a pair of scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit while walking one and striking out a pair. 

Sophomore Benjamin Korson of Stoney Creek ripped a pair of extra base hits to lead Mott's offensive attack.

Korson had a double and a triple among 3 hits. He had 3 RBi's and scored twice.

Freshman Luke Trotter of Grand Blanc added two hits. He knocked in one run, scored once and had a stolen base.

Freshman Bryce Neitzel of Bay City Western delivered a big blow, too, with a two-run triple.

The Bears return to action against Schoolcraft CC at 2 pm on Thursday in Detroit.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

JACKSON (CCN)— Flint's Mott Bears made it six out of seven since a lousy 0-8 start to their 2025 junior college baseball season.

They rebounded from a loss to Macomb CC in their Michigan Community College Athletic Association opener to beat Jackson 12-9 Wednesday (MRCH 19, 2025) on four home run blasts.

Freshman Luke Trotter of Grand Blanc, named Tuesday as the MCCAA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, knocked in four runs at Jackson with three hits, including a home run shot. 

ophomore Nathan McDonald of Macomb L'Anse Creuse North added four hits for the Bears, including a couple of home run blasts. He scored 4 times and swiped two bases.

Sophomore Ethan Wills of Lapeer also got into the home run act for Mott. He had two RBI on two hits.

Freshman Ryan Metz of Brighton, sophomore Benjamin Korson of Stoney Creek, freshman Bryce Neitzel of Bay City Western and freshman John LaVallier of Lake Fenton chipped in with two hits apiece as Coach Roger Christensen's club banged out 17 hits for the day.

Mott did not commit an error and Virginian sophomore Tucker Webb got the victory in relief by allowing only two hits while striking out 3 in 2 and one third innings of work.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — Red hot hitter Luke Trotter of the Mott Bears has been named "Player of the Week" by officials at the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's Eastern Conference

Trotter was honored for his performance at the plate that led the Bears to five straight victories.

They came just in time to wake up the Bears who got off to a lousy 0-8 start this spring.

They now open the conference season today (March 18, 2025) with a 2 pm contest against Macomb CC at Ernie Myers Baseball Diamond.

Mott's ballpark is located at Kearsley Park, across the street from its Longway Blvd. entrance to the college campus. 

The Monarchs were co-champs in the MCCAA's Eastern Conference a year ago.

They were 20-5 to share the crown with Jackson CC. Mott was third last season with a 14-11 record to check in with their most MCCAA victories since 2014 in Coach Roger Christensen's rookie campaign at the helm for the Bears.

Things don't get any easier tomorrow (March 19, 2025) for the Bears who are scheduled to go to Jackson for Game 2 of the MCCAA schedule. 

Trotter's big offensive week that led Mott to five straight victories included a pair of sweeps on the road over Edison State CC and Grand Rapids CC.

Trotter — a 6-foot-1, 190-pound freshman from Grand Blanc — blasted two home runs last week and ripped two triples. 

The clean-up hitter batted .733 during the five-game winning streak (11-for-15) by the Bears with a 1.400 slugging percentage. He also collected a whopping 13 RBI's during the span.

He also coaxed two walks and swiped a pair of bases.

In the field, Trotter added 20 put outs at first base and helped turn a pair of double plays. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this photo is freshman Luke Trotter of Grand Blanc who had a sizzling hot performance at the plate for the Mott Bears last week.

 BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

PIQUA, OHIO (CCN) — Flint's Mott Bears got their first two victories of the young season Wednesday in Ohio after an 0-for-8 start.

Coach Roger Christensen's Bears swept a doubleheader over Edison State Community College by exploding for 35 runs on the day. They won 18-2 in the opener and 17-8 in the nightcap.

Freshman Luke Trotter from Grand Blank and freshman catcher Bryce Neitzel from Bay City Western had 4-for-4 days with a home run each for Mott. Trotter added a triple and four RBIs while Neitzel scored four times and added an RBI.

Sophomore Nathan McDonald from Macomb County's L'Anse Creuse North drove in seven runs on three doubles while scoring three runs. 

Sophomore Benjamin Korson from Stoney Creek added a home run, finishing with two hits, four RBIs, two runs and a walk. 

Freshman Ryan Metz from Brighton and freshman Luke Dupuis from Flushing each scored three runs. 

Sophomore Jack Legree of Clarkston earned the victory on the mound after starting and tossing four scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and walked one.

Trotter was 3-for-3 in the nightcap with another home run, 4 RBI's and he scored five times.

Neitzel, Korson and sophomore Eagan Demers from Plymouth added a couple hits each. Neitzel scored three runs, Korson had a pair of doubles and Demers drove in 5 runs.

Virginian sophomore Tucker Webb picked up the victory on the mound in the second game with 3 innings of no-hit relief.

The Bears close out their series at Edison State with a single 9-inning game today at 1 pm.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Mott Bears' catcher Bryce Neitzel of Bay City Western.  

— Photo by Fred McCurd courtesy of Mott Athletics

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — The Mott Bears men snapped a two-game losing skid Saturday when whipping Wayne Community College 90-58 at Ballenger Field House in Flint.

Coach Steve Schmidt's Bears are now 14-5 overall and 3-2 in Michigan Community College Athletic Association play

The Bears shot 61 percent from the field in the first half to build a 17-point lead at the break, and never looked back.

Kevin Tiggs Jr. recorded a double-double to lead the way for Mott. The sophomore product of Flint Beecher finished with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting including four 3-pointers while adding 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Mott freshman Justin Mims of Augusta, Georgia matched Tiggs with 20 points. He added 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the Bears.

Sophomore Teon Armstrong battled  foul trouble throughout the game but scored 16 points and passed out a team-high 5 assists.

Freshman pair Kimari Barden of Detroit Warren Lincoln and Aijalon WIlliams of Flint Beecher added 8 points each for Mott while freshman Evan Hockey of Montrose contributed 7 points.

Mott travels to Oakland Community College for a midweek MCCAA contest at 7:30 pm on Wednesday.

(See More Mott Bears Sports Highlights)

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Mott Bears' sophomore Kevin Tiggs Jr. 

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

DEARBORN (CCN) — Flint's Lady Bears of Mott Community College closed out their 2024-25 women's basketball season on Tuesday (Feb. 25, 2025) in Dearborn.

They lost 76-56 to Henry Ford CC to finish a tailspin after a promising start to the season.

Coach David Bush's first year at the helm saw the Lady Bears go 2-12 in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's Eastern Conference after a 10-4 run in non-conference tune-ups.

The 12-16 overall record came in his debut season as head coach after serving six years as an assistant to Letia Hughley who spent 19 years as Mott's head coach.

Henry Ford used a 27-15 advantage in the second quarter to take control on Tuesday night, then cruised from there. 

Mott was led by a season-high 19 points from Chloe Thompson of Montrose.

The 5-foot-8 freshman forward also grabbed 6 rebounds, passed out 4 assist and made a couple steals in a great all-around game for Bush's club.

Freshman Kyndall Dotson of Flint Carman-Ainsworth added 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for Mott.

Freshman Tamia Taylor of Saginaw Heritage was Mott's leader in rebounds with 12.

Ali Anderson of Grand Blanc, a freshman who played her high school ball at Flint Powers Catholic, contributed 10 points and freshman Anna Prevost of Lake Fenton chipped in with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Chloe Thompson of Montrose who led Mott in their season finale at Henry Ford with 19 points.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — The Mott Bears men lost for the second time in three games Monday night when dropping a 90-74 decision to arch rival Lansing Community College.

Mott gets a chance for revenge on Dec. 14 when visiting Lansing.

Coach Steve Schmidt's Bears have a nine-day break to go back to the drawing board as the veteran coach tries to get the Bears on track.

They're now 4-2 so far in their 14-game non-conference tune-up schedule before the games count for real in the Eastern Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association.

The conference opener is Jan. 11 at St. Clair Community College in Port Huron.

Monday night's home court loss at Ballenger Field House on the campus of Flint's Mott Community College was the first defeat there since Feb. 14, 2023 when losing to Macomb Community College.

Freshman Justin Mims of Augusta, Georgia led Mott in the losing cause against Lansing CC with his second straight game topping 20 points.

Mims scored 20 points against Lansing after bagging 21 in Mott's victory three days earlier over Rochester Christian's JV. He's now averaging 15.2 points per game.

Coach Steve Schmidt's men were coming off their first loss of the season two nights earlier at Kalamazoo Valley College — 95-60.

Freshman Justin Mims led Mott with 21 points on a 10-of-14 shooting night. The 6-foot-5 guard from Augusta, Georgia is now averaging 15.2 points per game.

Freshman Kimari Barden of Warren Lincoln High in the Detroit area added 15 points against Lansing

Sophomore Teon Armstrong of Davison scored 11 points and freshman Miles Beard of Charlotte, North Carolina chipped in with 10 points off the bench.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — The Lady Bears of Flint's Mott Community College suffered their second loss in a row Monday night (Nov. 25, 2024) in junior college basketball after opening the season with three straight victories.

Mott dropped a lopsided 91-51 decision to Lansing Community College.

This followed the first loss of the season five days earlier at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Mott lost that one 60-42.

The losses followed victories of 66-44 over Terra State, 60-55 over Delta Community College and 58-49 at North Central Michigan.

Mott's women are now off until Dec. 4 when going to Delta CC for a rematch.

It's the start of a 9-game stretch to get ready for the Jan. 11 opener in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's Eastern Conference.

St. Clair CC was co-champions a year ago when posting a 25-5 overall record.

Mott is coming off a 3-9 campaign when finishing sixth in the eight-team Eastern Conference of the MCCAA. Mott was 6-15 overall last season.

Freshman Kyndall Dotson of Flint Carman-Ainsworth scored 23 points to lead Coach David Bush's Mott women on Monday in the losing cause against Lansing CC. 

Freshman Ella Prevost of Lake Fenton added 14 points for the Bears and sophomore Arie Lewis of Flint Carman-AInsworth contributed 9 points off the bench.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Kyndall Dotson of the Mott Bears.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

FLINT (CCN) — The Mott Bears moved to 4-1 Monday night (Nov. 22, 2024) in junior college basketball by beating the Rochester Christian JV 67-47 at Ballenger Field House on the campus of Flint's Mott Community College.

Coach Steve Schmidt's men were coming off their first loss of the season two nights earlier at Kalamazoo Valley College — 95-60.

Justin Mims led Mott with 21 points on a 10-of-14 shooting night. The 6-foot-5 guard from Augusta, Georgia is now averaging 14.2 points per game.

Mims also added 4 steals.

Kevin Tiggs Jr. and Kylen Clark gave Mims strong support with 10 points each while Miles Beard and Keyona Menifield tossed in 7 points each.

Kimari Barden had a strong game for Mott with 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and two steals.

Tiggs had a near double-double by grabbing 9 rebounds.

Mott plays next on Monday (Nov. 25, 2024) against arch rival Lansing CC. Tip-off is set for 7 pm at Ballenger Field House on the campus of Flint's Mott Community College.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Justin Mims of the Mott Bears who scored 21 points to lead the way in a victory over Rochester Christian's JV.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

KALAMAZOO (CCN) — Veteran basketball Coach Steve Schmidt found out in convincing fashion Wednesday night that he has some work to do this season with his Mott Bears.

They lost 95-60 at Kalamazoo Valley College to present a clear picture of the vast improvement needed to join the contender class in national circles this season.

Mott didn't make it to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) tournament a year ago. The Bears lost 79-72 to Henry Ford CC in the Great Lakes District A quarterfinal.

Mott has been 12 times to the NJCAA tournament under Schmidt who is  821-237 since taking the top job with the Bears in 1991 — winning it all under his leadership in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2012. His Bears made it to the national championship game three other times — 2001, 2004 and 2011.

The Bears were off to a 3-0 start before going to Kalamazoo Valley College. The Cougars, now 6-0 on the young season, are the defending champs in the Western Conference of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA). They were also ranked No. 21 in the NJCAA pre-season poll after last season's 24-7 overall record.

Along with lots of practice sessions ahead with Coach Schmidt and assistants Kevin Tiggs and Shaquille, Mott's 2024-25 roster is only four games into a 17-game non-league schedule to prepare for the Jan. 11 opener in the MCCAA's Eastern Conference  at St. Clair Community College.

The Skippers were the 2024 Great Lakes District C champion and finished last season with a 27-8 record overall. They won a pair of games in Danville at the NJCAA's national tournament.

They didn't even win their own conference last season, however, as Macomb CC qualified for the NJCAA's national tourney for the second year in a row en route to making it to the national championship game.

Facing the task of two pre-season top 25 teams in their own conference makes Mott in the MCCAA's toughest conference with two schools that joined Kalamazoo Valley in the MJCAA's pre-season top 25 poll. St. Clair CC checked in at No. 11 while Macomb CC was No. 4. A fourth MCCAA school was ranked in the pre-season top 25, too, with Bay College coming in at No. 14 after winning the MCCAA's Northern Conference during a 27-5 overall campaign.

Others in the Eastern Conference with Mott, St. Clair and Macomb are  Henry Ford, Oakland, Wayne County, Schoolcraft and Jackson.

Mott was led at Kalamazoo Valley by Kylen Clark with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

Kimari Barden added 9 points for the Bears and a team-high 8 rebounds while Teon Armstrong and Jude Drake contributed 6 points each.

(See More Mott Bears Sports Highlights)

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Steve Schmidt who is in his 33rd year as head coach of the Mott Bears basketball program.