Jeff Chattaway’s first two career varsity home runs helped Lake Orion come back twice against Troy on Monday, as the host Dragons won their ninth straight game, 10-6.
Chattaway’s first homer, a solo shot, came just two batters after Joe Barnes hit a two-run blast, as the Dragons erased an early 4-0 deficit.
Trailing 6-4 in the fifth inning, Chattaway went deep again, his two-run shot tying the game for a second time.
‘The first one was a breaking ball and the second one was a fastball,? Chattaway said. ‘Everything was blowing out to the right today, so if you get anything up there, it’s going to travel.?
Orion finally took the lead in the sixth inning, getting five hits, including a two-RBI single from Matt Truscott, to score four in the frame.
‘It’s good to see how we responded,? Coach Andy Schramek said. ‘Chip away, chip away, tie it up twice and finally get the big hits in that sixth inning.?
Jon Ruggeri, who came on in relief of starter Josh Deeg, gave up just one hit in his two and 2/3 innings of work to get the win.
Ruggeri’s biggest test came in the top-half of the fifth, when Troy loaded the bases with just one out. A botched squeeze play, which turned into a double play, got LO out of the jam and set up the late inning comeback.
The Dragons now sit at 9-1 and 2-0 in OAA I action. They won a pair of games to capture the Snowflake Invitational in Midland on Saturday, topping Saginaw Heritage 8-2 and host Midland Dow 19-9.
‘Up and down the line-up we’ve been swinging,? Schramek said. ‘We’ve been playing really good baseball.?
‘We’re clicking right now, everyone is working together,? added Chattaway, who was one of several Dragons on the day with at least three hits.
Deeg had six hits and catcher Jake Gaudard added six RBI on the day for LO.
A few days earlier, Orion topped host Farmington, the defending OAA I champ, 5-0 in their league opener.
Nick Dunstan scored a run and added a two-RBI single for the Dragons, who also got two RBI from Chattaway.
‘We did get some clutch hits and that was the difference,? Schramek said.
Deeg pitched all but the final out for the Dragons, giving up just three hits while striking out eight. He also issued six walks.
‘I’m not worried about the walks, because he strikes guys out also,? Schramek said.
Deeg’s line against Troy included five strikeouts and four earned runs.
The two league wins put LO in good early position, but Schramek said the title isn’t awarded in the first few weeks.
‘We want to win the league, so every game is important,? he noted.