State Quarterfinal Preview-Dragon Softball.

Written Saturday June 11th at 11:00 PM

The Dragons will have their hands full heading into Tuesday's State Quarterfinal game against Farmington Hills Mercy, here is a matchup preview heading into the game.

The Marlins (40-2) whom is ranked number two in the State have gotten all the hype, focus, and attention that has surrounded them all season, some of it deserved from shows like State Champs. Farmington Hills Mercy won the Catholic League for a second straight season and have been primed to get back to East Lansing since losing to Caledonia last season in the State semifinals. The Marlins have a very good team surrounding them led by Brighton Native, and Mobile (South Alabama) bound senior Abby Krzywiecki. Krzywiecki is likely going to be the Miss Softball in the State of Michigan, averaging a .565 batting average with 20 home runs, and 90 runs batted in. Farmington Hills Mercy also has a very talented starting pitcher in Andrea Elmore whom is 28-1 this season, having an earned run average under one run per game. The Marlins also have solid players as well in Anna Dixon, Cari Padula (going to Kalamazoo- Western Michigan next season) whom were both a combined four for six against Walled Lake Northern in their 11-1 rout of the Knights in the Regional Final and also Farmington Hills Mercy has Nicole Belans whom played well against Walled Lake Northern as well along with all-Stater Sophie Van Acker. 

The Dragons (35-5) meanwhile just won their first regional final since 2004 and is ranked sixth in the State really hasn’t got much attention nor the respect they deserve from shows like State Champs but they do bring a balanced attack to the party. Orion though has had its moments in the tournament feature their own power hitter in Shelby Misiak and young hitters such as Kassidy Carson, Carley McGhee, Erin Schroeder, Mackenzie Roy, Mackenzie Case, Tessa Nuss, Susie Bielecki, Jamie Bell, Bethany Gardner, and Peyton Shadaia. The Dragons do have a senior pitcher in Sierra Gonzales whom is a big game pitcher herself and Lexi Aguilar is not bad herself. Orion has gone through some very good teams in Clarkston, Oxford, Groves and Romeo to get here.

This will be the first meeting of the season between Orion and Farmington Hills Mercy.

PROJECTION: Farmington Hills Mercy is very good, very talented, very athletic, and deserve the attention they have gotten from State Champs and the rest of the media. Yes, Abby Krzywiecki is likely going to win Miss Softball for the State but according to my source the Marlins can be had, it depends on any given day. Orion has not gotten no State love lately besides the local media and could make history if they pull this one off. The experts say that the Dragons don’t match up well with the Marlins but looking at the matchup here, both of these teams I would say are about even, both have played tough schedules, won league crowns, and won tournaments. The only difference is the Marlins have playoff experience on their side and have well known players who been while Orion has not. This could be an offensive shootout or a defensive slug-fest pending if the Dragons offense shows up. I’m tempted to take the upset here, I think Orion has what it takes to get to Elmore and keep Krzywiecki and the rest of the Marlins off balance but they must be on the offensive pedestal because Farmington Hills Mercy has the talent to get to Gonzales.