The Lake Orion varsity softball team hopes to repeat as regional champions again this season as they prepare to open their season on April 8 at Northern Michigan University.
The Dragons? trip to Marquette was paid for by fundraising by the team, coaches and parents, and 12 teams will be participating at the Superior Dome.
The Dragons finished last year 30-9, and return eight starters from that team, including: Pitcher Robin Roe, Eileen Frezza at catcher, Kristen Larsen at third base, shortstop Nichole Woityra; an All State Honorable Mention last year; and Kelsey Stout, also an All State Honorable Mention, at first base.
Also returning are: Amber Agro in left field, Bristel Brumitt in right field, and Lauren LaPine in the outfield.
The team is again head coached this year by 28-year veteran Denny Davis, who is assisted by Joe Woityra and Mary Conner-Patton.
‘This is the best time I’ve ever been associated with,? Davis said. ‘We have quickness, power, skill, intelligence and the will to do what it takes to win.?
Roe won 25 games last season and is 16 wins away from an all-time career win record.
She will be backed up this year by junior Christina Collins.
Frezza, a junior, returns for her third year and will be challenged by sophomore Sasha Perryman.
Davis said his veteran infield is a great defensive unit, including Larsen, who he calls ‘one of the quickest infielders ever to play for the Dragons, and may have the strongest arm of the group.?
Davis said Woityra, who will play on scholarship at Grand Valley State next year, ‘has a rifle for an arm.?
Woityra led the team in all offensive categories except homeruns last year.
‘She is only 5?1,? but Nichole is a powerful, complete player in a small package,? said Davis.
‘She had an unbelievable slugging percentage of 780.?
Junior Sam Bell will be at second base, and Stout at first base ‘adds punch and speed to the lineup,? according to Davis.
‘Sam Bell is Miss Consistency at second base,? said Davis. ‘And Kelsey (Stout) has an unbelievable ability to dig out the questionable throw.?
Juniors Layne Smedley, Natalie Hunt and Lisa Carroll round out the Dragons? infield.
In the outfield this year, Agro played third base last season as a freshman, but moved to the outfield when Larsen returned with a broken leg.
Brumitt, a senior, was homerun leader for the team last year. LaPine, a junior and two-year veteran, is the team’s lead-off hitter, batting .465 last season.
‘She is left-handed, and the quickest leadoff in club history,? said Davis. ‘She is a force waiting to develop. She has the potential to be an outstanding fielder and could hit around the 500 mark with her quickness.?
‘Juniors Katie Paul, Christina Collins and Rachel Traurig will challenge this trio,? Davis added.
Lake Orion is ranked number four in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) preseason poll for Division I.
This year’s team captains are Woityra and Stout.
‘We are very talented, but we need to gel and become a team,? Davis said. ‘When that happens, this team will be the best in Lake Orion history.?