White Lake Lakeland softball coach Mike Cleary is making history by starting four freshmen this season, demonstrating his confidence in their abilities. The Eagles, with a record of 3-1 and 2-0 in conference play, achieved impressive victories over Walled Lake Western with scores of 19-9 and 14-4. Freshmen Lexi Zamenski, Hayden Pawlak, Lily Eller, and Abby Schlotterer have stepped up significantly, proving their skill and teamwork. Their dedication during offseason training has translated into on-field success, as they adapt quickly within the team dynamic and benefit from veteran mentorship.

By the Numbers
  • Lakewood's freshmen combined for 12 runs and 9 RBIs over the two games against Walled Lake Western.
  • In Game 1, Schlotterer went 3 for 4 and scored three runs; Pawlak went 2 for 3 with two RBIs.
State of Play
  • The Eagles face tough competitors ahead, including South Lyon and Walled Lake Northern.
  • Cleary predicts the team will improve over the course of the season, gaining more experience and chemistry.
What's Next

As the season progresses, the Eagles aim to build on their early success and further develop the freshmen鈥檚 strengths against tougher opponents. Expectations are high for these players to mature quickly and continue their learning curve.

Bottom Line

The emergence of four freshman starters at White Lake Lakeland signifies a bright future for the team, as they blend talent with strong leadership and resilience. Their success now could set the foundation for a significantly more competitive team by the end of the season.