Bedford lefty was made, not born

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Certain baseball theorists subscribe to the notion that pitchers come into the world with an intrinsic ability to throw rocket fastballs and nasty sliders, and if you don't possess a golden arm, you'll never be a pitcher.

Trent Szkutnik, a senior left-hander for Bedford who will play at the University of Michigan next season, isn't one of those theorists.

"Every since I was a kid, my dad's been helping me," Szkutnik said. "People say pitchers are born, but I believe I was made by my dad."

Jeff Szkutnik walked on to the University of Toledo baseball team after starring at Bowsher in the late 1970s.

"He was a left-hander also, throwing in the low 90s," Trent Szkutnik said. "I wouldn't be here without him."

Here for the younger Szkutnik is the Division 1 state quarterfinals, where Bedford (34-6) will take on Detroit Western International (17-9) at 1 p.m. Tuesday at UM's Ray Fisher Stadium.

Whether he's called on to pitch remains to be seen after Szkutnik threw a two-hit, six-inning shutout in the Mules' 10-0 win over Southgate Anderson in a regional final at Saline High School on Saturday.

When he's not pitching, Szkutnik plays left field for Bedford, so he'll at least get the chance to play on his home field for next season.

"I'm looking forward to that and hopefully getting on that mound to get an early feel of that for next year," Szkutnik said.

"I'm really excited."

Szkutnik signed with the Wolverines back in November and said being able to pitch worry-free knowing his college choice has been solidified is a big reason for his success this season.

Szkutnik has an 11-1 record for Bedford this year with a 0.76 ERA. In his high school career, he's thrown five no-hitters and countless more one and two-hit games.

"Signing with a college before the season really helped me out," Szkutnik said. "I didn't have any pressure on me. I just had to go out there and do my job. Everybody has had my back the whole way, including my entire family and everybody on the team."

Szkutnik, who stands 6-feet tall, features an overpowering fastball and a devastating breaking ball.

"He's just a bulldog," Bedford coach Craig Trychel said. "He wants the baseball and he thinks he can get anybody out. He's not afraid of any hitter or any team. He just goes after it.

"He's been outstanding. He keeps hitters off balance, he throws strikes and makes hitters adjust to him."

Szkutnik has been at the forefront of Bedford's remarkable season, but he hasn't done it alone.

Szkutnik is one of three players on this year's squad who were also members of Bedford's state semifinal team in 2009. The others are senior pitcher/shortstop Dan Przeniczny, who will pitch for Xavier next season, and senior catcher Jared Kujawa, who will play at Western Michigan.

Other players who have helped key this year's run are sophomore pitcher/centerfielder Jackson Lamb, sophomore first baseman Kyle Kuhr, senior outfielder/shortstop Aaron Mills, senior second baseman Zach Mayo, senior third baseman Troy Przybylek, and senior outfielder Zach Kitzmiller.

With such a quick turnaround from regionals to the state quarterfinals, Bedford won't have much time to regroup and prepare for its next opponent, but that's OK by the Mules' coach.

"The way that we're playing right now, it's good that we get right back out there," Trychel said. "[Western International] is in the same position we are. We just have to go out there and play and whatever happens, happens. If they're better than us that day, then they'll beat us. But if not, then we'll keep moving on."

Blissfield reaches state softball quarterfinals

The Blissfield softball team will take on No. 1-ranked Clinton at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in a Division 3 state quarterfinal at Adrian College.

The Royals (22-14) defeated Harper Woods 9-2 in a regional semifinal and then knocked off Madison Heights Bishop Foley 7-2 on its home field in the regional final Saturday.

Contact Zach Silka at: zsilka@theblade.com or 419-724-6084.