A banner season

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

Lake Shore baseball ends season in regional final

Following the St. Clair Shores Lake Shore baseball team’s 4-3 loss in a Division 2 regional final against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s June 6, coach Chris Kuppe was proud of what he saw.

After watching his team work its way to a Macomb Area Conference White Division title and a D-2 district crown, Kuppe told his players to be proud of what they accomplished.

“They worked very hard this year, and they were heartbroken when it ended, “ Kuppe said. “We lost eight guys from last year’s team and had six new starters this year.

“We were 21-5, and that’s very good. They listened to their coaches, worked hard, and I was proud of them. You hate to see it end, but this was a social group.”

The Shorians’ eight seniors bridged the gap from the 2007 team that made it to the state semifinals and helped instill a work ethic in their younger teammates.

“The hardest part for kids is earning it,” Kuppe said. “It’s tough for kids to come from JV and sit the bench on varsity and wait their turn. The guys that got to play this year really appreciated it because they earned it.”

Lake Shore’s seniors — MAC White MVP Travis Brown, shortstop Arthur Coppola, pitcher Danny Keith, outfielder Ryan Mazmanian, catcher Carl Smith, third baseman Tino Giordano, pitcher/outfielder Greg Santo and infielder Kyle Nemitz — helped will the Shorians to a banner season with their commitment, which started in the offseason.

“This year, every one of my starting nine hit over .320,” Kuppe said. “They worked a lot with our hitting coach. They worked a lot, and they stayed on it and kept trying to get better.”

Outfielder Danny Carroll is just one of the underclassmen who took their lead from the seniors.

Carroll led the Shorians in hitting with a .520 average, 42 runs, four home runs, 35 RBIs, 12 doubles, 25 walks and 12 stolen bases as the leadoff man, and Kuppe believes with his work ethic, Carroll could be even better in 2010.

“Danny Carroll has the tools to be great, “Kuppe said. “He needs to get a little smarter at the plate with pitch selection and put the ball in play a little more.

“He’s never satisfied, though. That’s something you can’t teach a kid. When you’ve got that fire, it’s something special. That’s what separates the good players from the best.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.