Making a name

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by Tracy Dreslinski St. Clair Shores Lakeview senior Adam LaFrance was named to the 2009 MAC Silver All-Conference team.

St. Clair Shores Lakeview baseball finds identity with senior class

When Frank DiCristofaro Jr. took over the St. Clair Shores Lakeview baseball program two years ago, job No. 1 was re-instilling pride in the program.

After a Division 2 district title and a 7-3 runner-up finish in the Macomb Area Conference Silver Division, DiCristofaro feels he can cross that job off his list.

“We preached all year ‘take pride in everything you do,’” DiCristofaro said.

“In our league championship game (May 20 against Clawson High), I saw the kids battle and take pride in what they were doing. The kids really kicked themselves in the pants and got things going.”

Led by their senior class, the Huskies outscored their district opponents 25-9 en route to their first district title since 2000.

“We’re going to be young next year, but this group of seniors really reinvigorated pride in Lakeview baseball,” DiCristofaro said.

“We earned a lot of respect this year. Respect from other teams, coaches and officials speaks volumes on the senior class and what they’ve done re-instilling the pride.”

Lakeview’s seniors were led by MAC Silver All-Conference honorees John Chuhran, Steve Eatherly and Adam LaFrance.

Chuhran was named All-District and All-Region for his play in the postseason and maintained a .440 average.

While Chuhran, Eatherly and LaFrance got the honors, DiCristofaro said it was a group effort among his seniors, with unsung players like pitcher Mike Nix contributing when they had too.

“Mike broke his (non-throwing) hand, and all he could do was pitch,” DiCristofaro said. “At the end of the season, he really got going, though.

“He pitched the shutout against Center Line in districts and struck out 10, and he threw more than four innings against Lake Shore in the regional final and struck out seven.”

DiCristofaro will look to juniors like second baseman Adam Point and third baseman Brandon Pappas to keep the Huskies’ momentum rolling in 2010.

“I’m losing eight seniors, but I did pull some kids up at the end of the year so they could get a taste of what the atmosphere is going to be like,” DiCristofaro said.

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