Sporting one of the state’s best lineups and a deep pitching staff, the varsity baseball team at Lake Orion High School certainly has all the right ingredients to be considered a title-contender.
‘We like to consider ourselves one of the elite programs in the county,? said coach Andy Schramek, starting his eighth year at the helm. ‘And it’s always a goal of ours to get to Battle Creek.?
A trip to Battle Creek, where the state semifinals and finals are held each June, has narrowly eluded the team during Schramek’s tenure. They have lost by a single run two times in the quarterfinals.
Things could change this year, but the team knows success only comes one game at a time.
Leading the charge for the Dragons this spring are senior captains Steve Garver and Lee Dickinson.
Garver, a catcher, will move from third to fourth in the batting order for Schramek, a move he takes as a challenge from his coach.
‘He’s looking for me to step up and produce a bit more than I did last year,? Garver said.
Dickinson, a four-year varsity player, inherits the role of pitching staff ace. The right-hander was 7-2 on the mound last year.
‘He’s also an excellent hitter and defensive player,? Schramek said.
‘As a senior, I’m playing like it’s my last game every time,? Dickinson said.
Dickinson, one of several players on the team close to 2004 graduate Manrique Salinas, said the team will be playing this year in honor of their friend, who was killed in a vehicle crash on April 4.
‘Obviously we expect to go deep in the playoffs, and make it to the state finals,? Dickinson said. ‘We don’t want to let anybody down.?
Hitting in the all-important third spot, in place of Garver, will be the team’s best returning hitter, Joe Barnes. As a sophomore last season, Barnes hit over .400.
Senior Kip Drewry is another returning all-league player on the infield for the Dragons. He’ll hit in the leadoff position.
‘Up and down the lineup we run really well,? Schramek said, noting that most of his players are well conditioned from playing other sports at LOHS.
Two such players from the basketball team will be key for the Dragons on the diamond as well.
Ross Tonyan, a junior, returns after missing last season with an injury, and senior right-hander Jon Krause looks to build on his 6-1 record from last year.
Schramek said Clarkston and up-and-coming Farmington will present the biggest hurdles to the Dragons in the league.
‘Everybody in the OAA Division I can beat anybody else on any given day,? the coach said about the league, which he called one of the best in the state.
‘We also schedule some of the best non-league teams we can find.?
With a schedule like that, there’s little doubt the Dragons will be polished come playoff time.