A new district draw and a new offensive approach highlight the changes on the Lake Orion softball diamond this spring.
One thing that remains constant is pitcher Danielle Dunn, who returns for her junior year.
‘She’s got 43 wins in her first two years,? Coach Denny Davis noted. ‘She’s a finesse pitcher. Not overpowering, but very competitive.?
Davis said Dunn should benefit from having continuity in her battery mate.
‘Our catcher Shelby Phillips is back for her second year as our starter,? Davis said.
The right side of the infield will include Jessica Bays, a sophomore in her second year with the varsity squad, at first base and first-year varsity player and junior Lauren Farrington at second base.
Susan Lawless moves from second base to shortstop and Rachael Warren moves from shortstop to third base.
‘They both look comfortable and are doing a nice job in practice,? Davis said. ‘Last year our defense have some holes and we’re trying to solve that problem by moving some people around.?
Lauren McLeod will be a utility infielder, as will Megan Dyer, who will also serve as the team’s #2 pitcher.
The outfield is relatively young, but makes up for that with exceptional quickness.
Tina Wolverton is a varsity returner, joined by Christina Basso, Courtney Selinski, Tessa Tomlin, Emily Krause and Jenny Kasper.
‘Our outfield, with Kasper, Tomlin and Wolverton, is probably the fastest we’ve had in the 31 years I’ve been here.?
Offensively, Dunn will pick up a bat and get regular at-bats for the first time in her high school career.
She’s a left-handed slap hitter and will be followed by similar hitters in Wolverton and Tomlin, according to the coach.
‘This team is more of a small-ball type,? Davis said. ‘We’re going to bunt and we’re going to run. It’s a change in philosophy.?
‘If we’re going to win it’s going to be low scoring with good defense,? he added. ‘I think that in the end, we’ll be a better team than last year.?
The squad went 17-17 a year ago, but Davis said they gave a handful of games away with some bad defensive play.
Assistant coaches Bob Howey and Joe Woityra have helped in shoring up the defense, and Davis said the team hopes to compete for a title in the OAA I.
Troy, which returns top pitcher Jordan Wheatley, and Waterford Kettering, in their final season in the league, are among the teams to beat, according to Davis.
The team won’t have to face Romeo, which eliminated them in district action the past two seasons, in this year’s districts (the Dragons have met Romeo in the playoffs the last four years).
Lake Orion will host the event in late May, and it includes neighborhood rival Oxford and all three Rochester high schools (Stoney Creek, Adams and Rochester).