By Jim Newell
Review Editor
ORION TWP. — The Lake Orion High School varsity softball team had a grueling schedule last week, playing nine games from Tuesday through Saturday, coming away with six wins.
The Dragons, ranked eighth in the state heading into the week, now have a 19-4 record heading into the final league game on Thursday at 4:30 at home against Rochester Adams.
The Dragons lost a doubleheader on May 9 to Stoney Creek, losing 1-0 and 4-0. Stoney Creek had been an honorable mention in the state rankings but moved up to a three-way tie for 10th place as of Monday.
On May 10, Lake Orion traveled to North Farmington for a doubleheader against the Raiders.
In the first game, the Dragon’s fought back from a deficit and earned a 10-9 victory. Pitcher Jada Lopez got the victory in relief. Anna Gardener was 4-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs (Runs Batted In). Sydney Bell went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Ellie Britt contributed two RBIs. Avery Case and Madi Eckert rounded out the scoring with one RBI each.
In game two, Rylee Limberger threw a 12-0 shutout, striking out 10 Raider batters while allowing only two hits. Limberger, Addy Dukus and Lopez had three hits each. Avery Case added five RBIs.
The Dragons would continue their dominance during a decisive doubleheader against Oxford on Thursday at Lake Orion.
The Dragon’s scored 13 runs in the first inning and capped off the game in three innings, winning 15-0 and forcing the mercy rule into effect.
Bell and Limberger had three hits. Limberger added two home runs and six RBIs during the victory, in addition to getting the shutout as the winning pitcher.
The Dragon’s won the second game against Oxford 5-3 with pitcher Jada Lopez earning the win. Bell, Lopez, Dukus and Anna Gardner had two hits each.
The victory put the Lady Dragons record at 17-3 heading into a matchup on Friday against Macomb Dakota, the number one ranked team in the state.
Lake Orion lost to Dakota 4-3 in eight innings.
“Jada Lopez threw a great game on the mound. The defense was flawless. Anna Gardener had a great day at the plate going 3-4 with two RBIs,” Coach Joe Woityra said.
Bell, Dukus, Case and Madi Eckert each had a hit. Britt had one hit and one RBI.
On Saturday, the Lady Dragons traveled to Swan Valley for tournament play facing off against Laingsburg in the opening game. Laingsburg had a 20 -1 record.
After a slow start the Dragons bats started to roll, with Lake Orion winning 11-1, Woityra said.
Starting pitcher Rylee Limburger allowed three hits and struck out nine batters on her way to earning the win.
Grace Luby led the hitting attack with three hits and three RBIs and Lauren Potter hit a home run. Bell, Limberger, Eckert and Britt each had two hits.
In game two the Dragons faced off against Swan Valley earning a 5-4 walk off victory. Avery Case drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ellie Britt contributed two hits and two RBIs.