The goals of the Lake Orion High School baseball program have been the same for the past few years.
‘We always want to win the league and win the last game of the season,? Coach Andy Schramek said.
Last year, the team fell a bit short in both categories, but their run to the state quarterfinals have expectations high once again.
‘I think the key for us is to have a consistent passion and work ethic,? Schramek said. ‘We do have some great players, but great players don’t always win.?
The coach said he’d like to see more productivity out of his offense this season.
‘Physically, it’s not a problem,? he said. ‘It’s the approach. Getting better at how to hit.?
One player that Schramek will rely on for the big hit is senior second baseman Joe Barnes, who will hit in the clean-up spot this season.
Barnes is already in Lake Orion’s top-10 in home runs and runs batted in for his Dragon career and recently signed with Grand Rapids Community College.
‘Grand Rapids is an excellent baseball school and they made a nice financial commitment to him,? Schramek said.
The pitching staff will be anchored by Josh Deeg, John Ruggeri and Connor Mielock, among others.
Mielock will move from first to third in Schramek’s line-up, while Deeg takes over the lead-off spot.
‘Connor’s got a lot of pop in his bat and I’d like to take advantage of his RBI potential,? Schramek said. ‘He’s got a lot of ability. He’s a five-tool kid. He’s competitive.?
‘Josh hit first for us all summer and did a nice job with his on base percentage,? the coach added
‘Those two kids really make plays when it matters,? Schramek said, noting that, along with Chris Lum, they led the team on its playoff run last year (all three were sophomores).
Lum will move from first base to third and will hit fifth this season. Jeff Chattaway will step into the sixth spot.
Shortstop Ross Tonyan (who has committed to Adrian) and catcher Jake Gaudard have also nailed down key spots.
The team will start their season against Groves next Thursday.
‘We’ve never played in March before,? Schramek said.
‘Before our league starts, we’ll have 10 games in,? he added, noting De La Salle and Chippewa Valley are among the other early season contests.
The coach said the non-league schedule will be a big test for his team.
‘In the past few years, I think we’ve kind of taken some of those non-league games for granted,? Schramek said. ‘When you have some success, other teams really start to write your name in their calendars.?
Once league play begins, however, things don’t get any easier for the Dragons.
‘I think Farmington is going to be a pretty good team,? Schramek said, ‘and I always love our rivalry with Clarkston.?
Look for a full schedule in next week’s Lake Orion Review.