Having graduated only one starter, Leigh Hopkins, since last season, things are looking good for the 2004 Lake Orion High School varsity softball team.
Head coach Denny Davis returns pitcher Robin Roe, a junior; and sophomore catcher Eileen Frezza, who could share the spot with Milford Lakeland transfer Sarah Ziem, a junior, after Frezza returns from an injury.
Sophomore Kristin Larsen will take over at third base as soon as she returns from breaking her leg in the district final for the varsity volleyball team.
‘She’ll be out 6-7 games,? Davis said. ‘Her replacement right now will be freshman Amber Agro.?
At short stop will be returning starter Nichole Woityra, a junior. Davis said he expects good things from her this season.
‘She’s a third-year player, All League for two years,? he said. ‘She’s a team leader.?
Sophomore Samantha Bell will be on second base, and first base will be covered by junior Kelsey Stout, a third-year player.
In the outfield this year will be sophomore Lauren LaPine and senior Courtney Brooks, both returning players, with returning senior Megan Tobin joining them in the outfield and the infield. Newcomer Bristol Brumitt, a junior, will fill in for Roe as a second pitcher.
Up from last year’s junior varsity to varsity this year is junior Jennifer Toth.
‘It’s early, but I think we’ll be pretty fair,? said Davis. ‘We were second in the league (OAA I) last year. Troy is ranked second or third in the state…these kids are competitive. It depends on the injuries and losing those two starting players.?
Davis expects those new to the team this year, like Agro, to help out a lot.
‘It looks like she’ll be able to hit,? he said. ‘She’s a winner. Ziem has a big arm, and she’ll give Frezza a lot of competition.?
Davis said Brumitt was an excellent hitter at the JV level, and Toth is a good outfielder.
‘We’re still young though,? he said. ‘We have two seniors. Our strength will be our team speed, we’re really quick.
‘Our defense is solid,? Davis continued. ‘We have a lot of returning people.?
Dick Wertz has returned to assistant coach the team this year, and will be joined by assistant coach Mary Conner, who was captain of the University of Michigan softball team in 2002. Joe Woityra also returns as an assistant coach.
‘We’re doing some things we weren’t able to do before with Conner,? Davis said. ‘We’re working real hard on defense and being more vocal as a team.
‘They’re all competitive. I think we’ll be in every game,? he said. ‘The pieces are starting to fit together.?
In the pre-season coaches poll, Davis said Lake Orion was ranked in the top-10 Honorable Mention Team.
‘So people know we can play,? he said.