A 28-Year Run Ends at McLane Stadium
Hall of Fame coach Brian Deal coached his final game at Michigan State's McLane Stadium on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The Vicksburg Bulldogs fell to Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 9-6, in the Division 2 state semifinal. It was the end of a 28-year career that included 487 wins and a trip to the state's Final 4 in his last season.
"These guys gave me probably the best gift that you could give a coach in his last year: a conference championship, a district championship, a regional championship and a berth in the state semifinals," Deal said after the game, according to mlive.com.
A Storybook Final Season
Deal told his players before their first practice in March that 2026 would be his final year. The Bulldogs delivered a historic season in response.
Vicksburg set school records in multiple categories, according to mlive.com reporter Matthew Ehler:
- 30 wins, a program record
- 342 runs scored, breaking the previous school record
- 288 RBIs
- 143 stolen bases
- 14 home runs
The team averaged more than nine runs per game. Eight players hit .300 or better.
"I couldn't have written it any better," Deal said. "It's been incredible, it feels like a movie and it's amazing to see everything come back full circle."
Father and Son Share the Final Ride
Deal's youngest son, Luke Deal, started at first base for the Bulldogs this season. The coach said he wanted his final year to align with his son's final season as a player.
"I got an opportunity to coach my son, and I kind of wanted it to go out that way," Deal said. "I didn't want to be the guy that hangs around too long and past my prime."
Luke Deal said the team's chemistry made every practice feel like a group hangout.
"I just think it was brotherhood," Luke Deal said. "Every day, every practice was with my brothers, and it felt like a group hangout at practice, and I feel like that really showed on the field."
The team's group chat was named "Road to McLane", a reference to the stadium where the Bulldogs had not played in the postseason since 2015.
Four Players Earn All-State Honors
The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association named four Vicksburg players to its Division 2 All-State team, according to mlive.com:
- Maddox Rosalin, pitcher, first team
- Mitchell Beyer, infielder, first team
- Maguire Bowles, outfielder, first team
- Caden Chisholm, pitcher, second team
Rosalin pitched three no-hit innings in the state semifinal. Beyer drove in four runs on the season and led the team with 44 RBIs and 17 doubles. Bowles hit six home runs and scored 59 runs.
The Semifinal Game
Kenowa Hills took an early lead, scoring four runs in the third inning to make it 5-2. Vicksburg fought back through the middle innings.
Bowles hit an RBI triple in the third. Relief pitcher Rosalin held Kenowa Hills hitless in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Vicksburg scored three runs in the sixth, including a go-ahead run on a sacrifice bunt by Graham Kubiak.
Kenowa Hills responded with five runs in the seventh, including a two-run triple by Andrew Lake, to take a 9-6 lead. Vicksburg loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh but could not score the tying run.
"I think lesser teams would have definitely quit down 5-0 early against a quality opponent, but we found a way to chip away and score a couple runs here and there," Deal said. "They want to fight, they want to be in the fight, they want to keep going until the umpires say you can't play anymore."
What Comes Next for Vicksburg Baseball
Deal finishes with a career record of 487-367-4. He was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2026.
Only four players graduated from this year's roster. The program returns most of its core for next season.
"We've got some great young people ready to take over, and we're leaving the team with a cupboard that's not bare," Deal said.
The Bulldogs won the Wolverine Conference championship with a 12-2 league record, according to mlive.com sports reporter Matthew Ehler. Edwardsburg and Niles tied for second at 10-3.