Motown music legend Barrett Strong once sang that ‘the best things in life are free.? Perhaps that song, ‘Money,? was played on the Lake Orion High School varsity baseball team’s bus, on their way to winning a Regional Championship at Chippewa Valley High School on June10.
The Dragons were issued a total of 20 free passes (13 walks and 7 hit batsmen), in a pair of victories over Rochester Adams (7-2), and Fraser (12-2).
In fact, Lake Orion had a ‘free? baserunner in every one of the 12 innings in which they hit.
Also ‘money? for the Dragons was their pitching formula, which replicated the one they used in winning two district games a weekend earlier.
Lee Dickinson struck out seven Adams hitters to get the victory in game one, with Jon Ruggeri getting the final four outs.
Josh Deeg matched Dickinson’s strikeout total in game two, going six innings and giving up just five hits. The game ended an inning early, due to the mercy rule.
‘This one feels great,? said coach Andy Schramek, noting that his squad’s early season troubles are now a distant memory. ‘They’re playing with a lot of confidence.?
The team had lost seven of nine and four league contests in a row at midseason.
‘We were a mess at the plate,? Schramek said. ‘We really focused on patience.?
That patience led to 40 Dragons reaching base in the two regional games.
‘Collectively, today was the day we hit the best,? Schramek said of his team’s hitting resurgence.
The Dragons reached the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. To make a deep playoff run, they know as well as anyone that it takes a full team effort.
In these playoffs, three sophomores have played a big part in the Dragons? success.
The ‘super sophs? were led Saturday by Deeg, who, in addition to pitching, had four hits, three runs and three RBI in the two games. Centerfielder Connor Mielock hit a two-run homerun, to put the game against Adams out of reach.
First baseman Chris Lum hit a two-run double and then scored on an error on the same play, sparking the first of back-to-back four-run innings that turned the Fraser game into a rout.
‘They’ve been playing like seniors all year,? Dickinson said of the three. ‘They haven’t crumbled under the pressure at all.?
‘At the beginning of the year, we had to earn our spots,? Deeg noted. ‘But we feel pretty confident now.?
The Dragons took on University of Detroit High School in quarterfinal action on June 13. Results from that game were not available at press time.
The state semifinals and finals are this weekend at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.