BASEBALL: Lake Orion pitching prospect Schaenzer commits to Kentucky
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
LAKE ORION — Making sure that would be no distractions once his senior year began next month, Brad Schanezer ended his college recruitment this week.
The soon-to-be Lake Orion High School senior sent an oral down to the University of Kentucky to play baseball in the Southeastern Conference for coach Gary Henderson.
“It really is a load off my chest, getting this done before school starts,” offered Schaenzer. “I had talked to a lot of schools and didn’t want this to drag on.”
Schaenzer is the third Lake Orion pitcher from either class of 2013 or 2014 to commit to a Division I school. Recent graduate Nick Deeg signed last fall with Central Michigan University, while classmate Josh Bays also committed this week to play baseball for Western Michigan University.
Undecided on a major, the two-sport athlete who also plays football, is one of the most coveted baseball recruits in the Midwest for his age group. He has been clocked regularly in the 86-89 mph range with his fastball and has hit as high as 91 on the radar gun. He selected Kentucky over the likes of Louisville, Michigan State, Ole Miss and a host of other Division I schools.
“I have worked really hard on my speed, with all of my pitches, over the past couple of years,” said Schaenzer. “I need to keep working hard. I have a long way to go. My goal is to one day pitch (professionally).”
Schaenzer chose Kentucky due to “it’s a lot more laid back. I really love the campus down there. When I visited, I just had that feeling,” offered Schaenzer. “I’m excited to go down there. Next summer, I will start classes (soon after I graduate). It’s less than a year away.”
Schaenzer’s older brother Cole Schaenzer, a 2011 Lake Orion grad, also spent one season at Division I Valparasio University before transferring. The youngest sibling joins a long list of college players that have shined under Lake Orion coach Andy Schramek and reached the college ranks.
Schaenzer, who was called up to varsity midway through his freshman campaign, has been a steady force for the Dragons on the mound for 2.5 seasons. This past season Schaenzer hit .396 with 31 hits, four home runs and 47 RBI for Lake Orion, which finished 32-10 and won league, district and regional titles.
On the mound, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Schaenzer pitched in 11 games total with nine starts, finished with seven complete games, an 8-2 record with one save, posted a 1.47 ERA, struck out 77 and scattered 12 earned runs over 57 innings of work.
He earned Division 1 All-State Second Team, All-Oakland County Second Team, All-North Oakland Area First Team and All-OAA Red Division following the high school season, plus he was honored as a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America.
“Brad is very strong pitcher who keeps getting better each year,” said Schramek. “He has a great fastball and (command) for his pitches. I think next year he’ll be one of the top pitchers in the state.”
Over the summer, Schaenzer played travel ball with the Midwest Elite program and continued to post quality numbers.
“We hope to do really well next year, make a run, although this past (spring at Lake Orion) we had all those seniors and it was our year. We made a long run (to the state quarterfinals),” said Schaenzer. “Right now, I am just going to keep working hard. I am looking forward to pitching for Kentucky.”
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