The Lake Orion High School varsity baseball team returns eight seasoned starters this year, along with one who played a few varsity games last season.
Head coach Andy Schramek said his team is returning strong and ready to play.
‘We have Nate Recknagle back for his fourth year on varsity, he’s been given competition clearance from his ACL injury from the football season,? Schramek said. ‘If he gets three more hits he’ll be the all-time Lake Orion hits leader. He needs 11 homeruns to get the homerun record.?
Recknagle, one of this year’s captains along with senior Mike Ripari, was second team All-State as a junior.
‘I don’t know if more than a handful in Michigan are better ball players than him,? said Schramek.
Ripari returns for his third year on varsity, and will play centerfield. He has been injured during the last two seasons.
‘It’s hindered his offensive production,? Schramek said. ‘But he’s healthy this year.?
Junior Josh Hughes, a two-year varsity player, is back as a pitcher.
‘One of his goals is to be one of the better pitchers in Michigan,? said Schramek. ‘So far he’s doing good, he hurt his wrist last year.?
Senior Andy Klaus, a three-year varsity player, returns, and Schramek expects him to be one of the team’s top hitters in the middle of their line-up.
Junior Bob Clouse, two years on varsity; junior Neil Medchill, two years on varsity; and junior Brian Hewitt, also two years on varsity, should all provide some hits and leadership for the team’s younger players.
‘Even though they didn’t all play last year, they all started their fair share of games,? Schramek said. ‘They got experience being around last year’s seniors.?
The varsity team also has three sophomores and one freshmen this year.
‘They’ll see that work ethic (from the returning players),? said Schramek.
In the team’s first scrimmage of the year, they dominated 13-0.
‘We didn’t have an error or walk a kid,? Schramek said. ‘For the beginning of April, and having young players, I was happy with that.?
Schramek said the varsity players all seem to like each other and that they are ‘easy to coach.?
‘They’re working together well, and that’s been good to see,? he said. ‘Sometimes there’s some jealousy when you have talented younger players.?
Schramek predicts the team will be strong offensively and defensively.
‘I think we’ll score runs,? he said. ‘I don’t think we’ll make many mistakes defensively.?
Clarkston should provide the team’s toughest competition, ranked third in the state in the preseason.
‘Troy should also be good,? Schramek said. ‘On paper they’re probably the favorite to win the league.?
Last season, the Dragons were 24-11 overall in OAA I, losing the regional final. The team graduated six seniors.
‘Our goals don’t change from year to year,? Schramek said. ‘We want to win our league and the last game of the year.
‘We have some guys who can run,? he said. ‘One area to improve on is our base stealing. We’re going to try to be more aggressive on bases.?
Schramek said senior Steve Worster, along with Hewitt and Medchill, can hit the long ball.
‘I’m happy with where we are right now,? he said. ‘I want them to earn it though, we have to prove ourselves.?
Assisting Schramek on the coaching staff this year are coaches Kevin Schneider, Eric Jennings, Dennins Recknagel, Tim Clouse, Jim Sewik, who replaces former pitching coach Mark Scott, who passed away.