Pitcher Dylan Chesnut let his team down in last years 5-4 loss to West Bloomfield in the Division 1 district semifinal.So the Lansing Community College commit wasnt about to let that happen again in Walled Lake Centrals 8-7 victory over South Lyon East in its Lakes Valley Conference opener on April 8.And thats saying something because the senior wasnt planning to pitch Game 1 of the series. But after the Cougars scored five runs in the third inning, including Jaxson Gochenours three-run homer to left field that erased the Vikings 6-1 lead, third-year Central coach Tyler Troyer needed to make a switch on the mound.In came Chesnut, who threw three scoreless innings, struck out two and walked three while gutting out an incredible seventh that secured the Vikings (1-3, 1-0) their first win.The right-hander put two runners in scoring position with no outs, prompting Troyer to visit the mound for a chat.He was just talking to me about keeping that same mentality Ive had and not letting the nerves get to me, Chesnut said. He was talking to me, saying, Youre the man. Were going to need you in the district championship, and this (situation) is no different. He said, Im the man, so be the man, and thats all I needed to hear.Central quickly recorded two outs, but East laid down a bunt that pushed home Alex Warrick to cut the deficit to one run.Brady Bush stepped into the box with the tying run in scoring position and worked a full count against Chesnut.A walk wouldve kept the Cougars alive. A hit likely wouldve tied the score. Instead, Chesnut struck out Bush and was instantly mobbed with hugs in front of Centrals dugout.Thats our guy, man, Troyer said. He came in last year in the West Bloomfield game, in a high-pressure situation, and didnt perform as well as he wanted and how we wanted. When I went out there, I just told him that hes our guy, hes our man. These are the situations we need him in this season, and we trust him to be in them.It didnt help that the Vikings put runners in scoring position in three straight innings without plating a single run to give Chesnut breathing room. A couple scores wouldve made pulling out the win easy. So, Chesnut had to put his team on his back.That just says everything about him, Troyer said. Hes cool, hes collected. I look over in the dugout, and hes always locked in and ready to go. I was a pitcher, too, so I know its tough, and it sucks, when you see so many guys in scoring position, and they dont come home. So thats a true testament to the work hes put in to get ready for this season. Im so proud of him, and Im putting Dylan Chesnut out there in that position 10 out of 10 times.More: Walled Lake Central baseball chasing 1st district title since 2011That also speaks to the work Chesnut has done with the Michigan Bulls travel team over the past year.He admitted it took months to get over letting his team down in last years district tournament, but he used it as motivation to improve over the summer and through fall training.He worked on everything, from mechanics to conditioning, knowing he had to be better for his team to pull out a gutsy win like the one against East.I was training maybe four or five days a week, getting my mind right because it was eating away at me for weeks, and I just couldnt get that loss out of my head, Chesnut said. I just had to get used to the fact that its over, and I had to grind my way into setting a new standard for this season. I knew I had to be better and knew I had to play the best I can every day.Added Troyer: Hes in a lot better shape, hes stronger and hes throwing better. Hes pounding the zone better. Really, his leadership and composure on the mound is what impresses me. Since I first saw him as a sophomore, hes grown so much, and Im so, so proud of him, and I love him to death. Its been his mindset that has really impressed me.Troyer said Chesnut played like a bulldog, just like the whole team did after East tied the score at 6. Justin Fenberg walked in a run, and Nick Shaws sacrifice fly brought home the winning score in the bottom of the third inning.Other Vikings contributing included Tyler Malczewski going 2 for 3 with two RBI and a double, Caden Buckley walking three times and Colton Sims making a game-saving tag at home plate in the sixth while also driving in a run.But it all started with Chesnut, who entered in relief, put his team on his back for its first win of the season and finally righted the wrong from losing to the Lakers in 2025.When were playing for a district championship in two months, hes going to be in the same spot, Troyer said. Today, it was him or nothing. And it will be in two months, too. We ride or die with Dylan Chesnut.Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on his new X.com accountat@folsomwrites.This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Dylan Chesnut is 'the man' for Walled Lake Central baseball