ESSEXVILLE, MI -- Carson Kwapiszewski is hockey tough.
He can take a hit. He can deliver a hit.
And, despite often being the skinniest kid in the game, he never seems to shy away from any confrontation.
And that's what made this hockey-tough kid one bear of a baseball player this season. The Essexville Garber senior delivered in hard-nosed fashion as a pitcher, shortstop and leadoff hitter, rising to the challenge each time he was asked.
"He's one you can count on," Garber coach Jon Jeczmionka said. "In situations where some may be nervous, not want the ball or be in the batter's box, he's a guy who does want to be there. His teammates see that and appreciate that."
The kid they call "Kwap" dons the Garber jersey the field for the final time Tuesday in the North vs. South All-Star Game at Dow Diamond, when Bay City and Saginaw area standouts square off with their counterparts from the Flint area in a 6 p.m. clash.
The game gathers 42 players for the fifth annual showcase event at the home of the Great Lakes Loons, giving them a chance to close out their prep careers in a professional setting.
For Kwapiszewski, it was a season to remember.
Garber's Carson Kwapiszewski (10) keeps an eye on the ball he hit during the Division 2 Regional Baseball Championship against Clio at Saginaw Valley State University, Saturday, June 8, 2019.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com
The Dukes rolled to a 30-9 record, captured their first district title since 2015 and their first regional crown since 2002. At the heart of it all stood a wiry, 5-foot, 11, 155-pounder who was quiet on the outside and all heart on the inside.
"I probably don't look like I would be as good as I was this year," Kwapiszewski said. "I'm kind of small and skinny -- and all of sudden you can't get a hit off me."
Kwapiszewski posted an eye-popping 12-0 record on the hill with a 1.63 ERA. He also batted .360 and swiped 15 bases while earning first-team all-state honors.
He credits a career in hockey -- and following in the footsteps of big brothers Cullen and Conner Kwapiszewski -- for creating that grit. He capped a four-year stay with the Bay Area Thunder this season by leading Bay County with 48 points.
But it's the physical aspect of the game that helped toughen him up for the mental challenges of baseball.
"In hockey, you get a lot of bumps and bruises, but you let it go and play through it," he said. "That rolls through as a pitcher. If a kid hits a double or triple, you can't freak out. You go to the next pitch."
That focus set Kwapiszewski apart for the Dukes this spring.
A three-year varsity performer, he showed glimpses of big things a year ago while batting .354 with one home run and 20 RBIs and serving as a spot starter in the pitching rotation. But few could have anticipated the jump he made in his final year.
With a fastball that climbed from about 78 mph as a junior to 84 mph as a senior -- paired with an off-speed repertoire that he was confident throwing in any count -- he became virtually unbeatable. By winning 12 straight decisions, he helped power the Dukes to the Tri-Valley East championship and the Bay County Championship crown.
"He has a strong knack for anticipation," said Dave Schwartz, the Garber athletic director. "He's usually one step ahead of most kids and it's because he really understands hockey and he really understands baseball. He's a good enough athlete, and combine that with his mental skills, that's how he excels at his sports."
Kwapiszewski said he is hoping to continue his two-sport ways at Northwood University. He was invited to join the club hockey team and plans to try to make the baseball team as a walk-on.
While that may be a tough challenge, tough is what Kwap is all about.
“He’s confident,” Schwartz said. “And confidence breeds mental toughness.”
Bay City Western's Garrett Sheridan (21) swings as Central hosts Western in their Saginaw Valley League rivalry baseball game at the MacGregor Elementary School field, Thursday, May 16, 2019.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com
NORTH ALL-STARS
Nick Birdsall, Bay City Central
Brock Cook, Birch Run
Jacob Cornman, Birch Run
Nick Dardas, Bay City Western
Ethan DuFresne, Bay City Central
Hunter Fehn, Valley Lutheran
Mason Gengler, Valley Lutheran
Gage Hohwart, Saginaw Heritage
Marcos Juhasz, Frankenmuth
Jonas Kanouse, Hemlock
Carson Kwapiszewski, Essexville Garber
Darren LaBean, Pinconning
Hunter McGillen, Pinconning
Keith McGregor, Saginaw Heritage
Joby Ostrovsky, Frankenmuth
Hunter Patrick, Birch Run
Adam Randall, Bay City Western
Evan Schlatter, Bay City Western
Garrett Sheridan, Bay City Western
Jacob Turnwald, Chesaning
Brady Wright, Birch Run
Coaches: Billy Cork, Birch Run; Jeff Hartt, John Glenn; Kurt Hofmeister, Valley Lutheran; Toby Larkin, Hemlock; Tim McDonald, Bay City Western
Zack Mazza of Powers Catholic was one of two Flint-area players to make All-State in baseball this year.
SOUTH ALL-STARS
Josh Belanger, Goodrich
Teddy Benner, Clio
Brendan Bouchard, Swartz Creek
Ezra Giraurd, Bentley
Brayden Grossi, Flint Powers
Brock Henson, Fenton
Travis Klocek, Linden
Ethan Hollister, Corunna
Nathaniel Lane, New Lothrop
Kollin Lienau, New Lothrop
Grayson Makranyi, Flushing
Zack Mazza, Flint Powers
Caden Merinsky, Swartz Creek
Ty Metzger, Davison
John Miller, Linden
Colby Phipps, Goodrich
Hunter Schramm, Lake Fenton
Cam Steeves, Fenton
Matt Strobel, Davison
Cameron Tupper, Montrose
Garrett VanGilder, Holly
Coaches: Tom Dutkowski, Flint Powers; John Fitzko, Swartz Creek; Bob Foreback, Goodrich; Brad LaRowe, Lake Fenton; Todd Schultz, Bentley