Last year, Oxford’s baseball season ended with a 2-0 loss to Lake Orion on their home field.
This year, the Wildcats returned the favor, beating the district-host Dragons, 8-7, in a wild district semifinal. Oxford went on to top Rochester, 1-0, and advances to face Troy in regional play at Clarkston Saturday.
‘We beat two very good teams today,? Coach Kurt Nuss said. ‘This was one of our goals. Goal number one was to win our league and goal number two was to win the district. Now we’ll see what we can do from here.?
Against Lake Orion, the Wildcats, playing as the home team, scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a 6-2 deficit. The inning was capped by a two-out two-run double by Kyle Teague. It was Oxford’s sixth hit of the inning, which also included an RBI-double by Russell Luxton and two-run single by Alex Seinar.
Meanwhile, Luxton came on in relief of Teague to get the win for Oxford. He also was the winning pitcher against Rochester, tossing six innings in that one.
‘It’s nice to have a one and a two,? Nuss said of his senior pitching combo. ?(Luxton) had a big hit, too. And Teague recovered very quickly and delivered at the plate. That’s what seniors do.?
Even with the wind blowing in much of the day, Lake Orion hit three home runs, but all were solo shots. The Dragons scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a two-all tie and looked to be in control.
‘When we have a lead like that, generally speaking, we close out those games,? said Lake Orion Coach Andy Schramek. ‘But I give credit to Oxford. They kept battling and they did more than we did today to win.?
Prior to Saturday’s action, the Wildcats topped Rochester Adams, 2-0, behind a complete-game effort from Teague, in the first round of districts.
The district championship was Oxford’s first since 1997, when they played in Division 2 (then Class B).
Nuss and the Wildcats hope to follow the path the Dragons took last year after winning a district title, as Lake Orion went on to win the state title.
Oxford improved to 27-6 on the season, while Lake Orion’s season ends with the same mark.
Editor’s Note: Want to re-live this moment between the Wildcats and the Dragons? Then check out the podcast available online now at www.oxfordleader.com.