Losing to Lake Orion last Wednesday was especially tough on hitter Eric Leichtnam and other seniors on the team ? they never beat the Dragons in fours years of baseball at home.
He’s staying positive, though.
‘We’re making progress,? Leichtnam said, refocusing on playoffs beginning May 26.
Lake Orion clinched the league championship with the 13-9 victory over Clarkston, May 20.
‘We can enjoy the victory for a couple nights, but then we need to gear our focus towards preparing for the state tournament.? said Lake Orion’s head coach Andy Schramek.
Clarkston played Lake Orion earlier in the season and lost, 12-3. The Wolves took the field against their rivals this time eager to avenge themselves.
Lake Orion took an early lead into the second inning, 3-1. Clarkston was not content with being down early in the game, so came out swinging in an attempt to take over the lead.
Clarkston scored two runs to tie the game and immediately Lake Orion pulled their starting pitcher, hoping to end Clarkston’s scoring drive. The effort was for naught and Clarkston scored two more runs to take the lead over the Dragons.
Determined to shift the momentum in their favor, Lake Orion started the third inning with a bang. Phil Serzo stepped up to the plate and hit an out-of- the-park homerun off the first pitch of the inning thrown by Vince Siwicki.
After the homerun, Lake Orion made some vital hits, filling the bases. With two outs, a full count, and bases loaded, Clarkston pulled Siwicki and replaced him with Matt Miller, who was able to bring an end to Lake Orion’s drive.
Clarkston was unable to score in the bottom of the inning leaving the game tied, 5-5.
After going up one run in the fourth, Lake Orion took control of the game in the fifth. The Dragons made several big hits deep into the outfield that allowed them to score six runs, taking the lead, 12-5.
The Wolves fought back and scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn’t enough.
To start the sixth inning, again Clarkston switched pitchers and Alex Topham came into the game. What started off as a no-score inning for Lake Orion was ruined as Topham threw to first base mid-pitch in an attempt to get an easy out at first.
However, an overthrow my Topham was an error that allowed Lake Orion to steal home for a score. The bottom of the sixth was no better for the Wolves, as the Dragon’s got a double play, followed by a quick third out and no score for Clarkston.
In a final attempt, Clarkston brought in their fourth pitcher for the day, Tyler Scarlett, who held Lake Orion to a no-score seventh inning.
Up by only four runs, the Dragons turned up the heat and, one-two-three, Clarkston’s first three batters were out, ending the game.