Two weeks ago Connor Mielock thought his right wrist might be broken after getting hit by a pitch in practice.
Eight days later, the junior threw seven shutout innings, as the Lake Orion High School baseball squad topped Brighton 4-0 in Friday’s state semifinal played at Bailey Park’s Morrison Field.
‘He hasn’t thrown in two weeks now,? Coach Andy Schramek said. ‘He threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and I said he was starting.?
Mielock was in a sling just six days earlier during the regionals. Friday afternoon, he struck out five Brighton hitters in a complete game performance.
‘Coming back from the doctor on Monday and finding out it was not broken, just bruised, I called (Schramek) right away and told him I’d be able to pitch on Friday,? Mielock said.
The Dragons got on the board in the second inning after Ross Tonyan lined one off of Brighton pitcher John Nelson. Tonyan beat out an errant throw to first as Jeff Chattaway came in to score.
With a 1-0 lead, the Dragons flashed some impressive defense, getting out of sticky situations in both the third and sixth innings.
In the third, Brighton had runners on second and third with just one out. Chattaway fielded a chopper at first base and fired home to catch a Bulldog running on contact, with help from a nice scoop by Jake Gaudard behind the plate. A harmless flyout ended the inning.
In the sixth, Brighton had a runner on second and nobody out. After an errant pickoff throw by Mielock, centerfielder Josh Deeg gunned down the runner trying to advance to third. Two pitches later, a strikeout pitch and a diving catch by Mike Musary in rightfield, the inning was over.
‘Our defense was great today, turning double plays and doing acrobatic stuff,? Schramek said. ‘That really gave us a lot of momentum in the sixth inning.?
The Dragons scored three more in the bottom half of the sixth inning, including a two-RBI single by the catcher, Gaudard, with the bases loaded.
It was the second straight game LO got key runs from the bottom hitters in their order.
‘The bottom of our order is very good,? Schramek said. ‘They’re scrappers down there. We’ve gotten great contributions from everyone.?
Mielock helped his own cause by adding a sacrifice fly later in the inning, which accounted for the final margin.
He allowed just three hits on the day and ended his playoff run without giving up a run.
Shortly before the Dragons advanced to the final, OAA I foe Farmington did the same by topping Grandville 6-4, setting up the highly anticipated all-OAA I matchup on Saturday. In Farmingon’s semifinal win, Burny Mitchem threw six and 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before a late charge by #8-ranked Grandville.