Garden City High School senior pitcher Ethan Armstrong was named the Gatorade Michigan Baseball Player of the Year on June 1, 2026.
The honor came two days after the Cougars narrowly missed winning the Division 2 district championship.
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The future University of Michigan commit finished his final prep season with a 5-1 record, a 0.21 ERA, 70 strikeouts, and three shutouts.
He pitched 34 innings, threw a no-hitter, and held opponents to a . 100 batting average.
Garden City posted a 30-6 overall record.
National scouting services ranked Armstrong highly.
Baseball America listed him as the top recruit in Michigan for the 2026 class, while Perfect Game ranked him No. 114 overall nationally.
Armstrong also contributed at the plate, batting . 388 with five doubles, three triples, six home runs, and 26 RBIs.
He maintained a 3.21 GPA.
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Head coach Avery Emerson praised Armstrong's work ethic and character. "Ethan is a coach's dream," Emerson said.
"Phenomenal player but even better person. He's always the first one on the field and the last one to leave."
Emerson noted Armstrong's impact on the program: "He's an extremely hard worker who other players follow because they see what it takes to be great.
Ethan has elevated the play of our entire program."
The postseason ended in extra innings.
Armstrong pitched 8⅔ scoreless innings, striking out 13 and allowing two hits and two walks against No. 7 Dearborn Divine Child.
He was replaced with two outs in the eighth inning.
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Divine Child scored the only run in the ninth on a ground ball by Jack Krakowski, winning 1-0.
