Coach Denny Davis knows that his varsity softball team at Lake Orion High School has quite a number of big shoes to fill this year.
‘We graduated our All-State shortstop (Nicole Woityra), our All-Region first baseman (Megan Stout) and the winningest pitcher in school history (Robin Roe),? the coach said. ‘We also graduated power hitter Bristel Brummet.?
But the team’s strong 4-1 start to this season certainly shows that they’re on the right track.
Perhaps even more impressive than winning the Eisenhower Invitational on April 8 was their win in the second game of a doubleheader with OAA I power Waterford Kettering earlier in the week.
The Dragons were shutout 3-0 in the first game, but rallied to tie the second game with a two-run seventh inning. Senior Sam Bell’s RBI double won it in the eighth.
‘That was a good split as they are picked to win OAA 1 and they had played earlier in the week,? Davis said, noting it was his team’s opener.
Overall, the team will be led by one of the best power bats in the county in senior Kristin Larsen. She hit 10 home runs a year ago while batting well over .400.
Larsen’s defensive skills at third base are right up there with the area’s best as well. Davis said she has the strongest arm in school history.
The Dragons are also strong up the middle, with seniors holding down key defensive positions in centerfield, second base and catcher.
Like Larsen, Lauren LaPine is a four-year starter. She will bat leadoff and was an all region outfielder a year ago.
Davis said both Larsen and LaPine, All-Region players last season, show All-State potential.
Meanwhile, Bell, known for her defensive abilities at second base, has already driven in two winning runs this season for the Dragons.
Eileen Frezza will handle the catching duties in her third season as the starting backstop.
Senior Christina Collins was 9-0 on the mound last season, but has not played yet this season because of an injury.
That paved the way for freshman Danielle Dunn, a lefty whom Davis said has six different pitches at her disposal. She has pitched every inning in the Dragons first five games.
Dunn is the only freshman on the team, which, in spite of losing quite a few to graduation a year ago, is still senior-laden. There are eight seniors and six juniors on Davis? roster.
Lake Orion won the Eisenhower Invitational, beating Utica Ford 3-0 in game one, Utica Eisenhower 3-2 in the second game and Utica Stevenson in the championship game on April 8.
Danielle Dunn tossed a one hitter and Amber Agro hit a solo home run in the title game for the Dragons.
Dunn threw a three hitter in the first game and Sam Bell drove in the winning run in extra innings of the second game.
Agro, Bell, Dunn and Lauren LaPine were selected to the all-tournament team from LO.