Runs are coming in bunches for the Clarkston varsity baseball team. Now, if only the defense and pitching could step it up a bit.
The Wolves clobbered Birmingham Seaholm April 23 at Clarkston High School 14-4. The top six batters in the order combined for an amazing 15-for-19 day at the plate including a perfect 4-for-4 day from Addison Turk, Mike Kittle, who went 3-for-3, Aaron Powell, who hit a 2-run homer and Jono Moehlig who also went 3-for-3. Even with the offensive firepower and an early 7-4 overall record, coach Phil Price is anything but all smiles about his team’s performance thus far this season.
‘We can score runs sure, but we can’t play defense,? he said. ‘We’re making both fielding and mental errors right now. And it’s not just one kid. We’re just letting one error or mistake roll into others. It’s a snowball effect for us right now.?
Clarkston hosted the Roy Warner Tournament April 24 and won the first game, beating Frasier 7-5, but then fell in the second game to Kalamazoo Central 10-7. In the last two innings Price said his team allowed six walks, committed two errors and allowed seven runs.
‘Our pitchers were walking people and our fielders were making errors. When you score eight, nine, 10 runs per game and you lose, there’s definitely a problem,? Price said.
The Wolves entered the season with a high state-wide ranking and then got off to a perfect 5-0 start. Then the Wolves dropped three straight games, including one to Davison, which they lost 11-9 at Michigan State University. That was followed by losing both games of a double header to Brandon April 20. However, overconfidence heading into the season as being touted as one of the state’s premier teams was not a problem, Price said.
‘I don’t think they were (overconfident),? Price said. ‘For some of the kids, I guess just trying to live up to the pressure might have gotten to them a bit.?
Clarkston opened league play in the OAA I, which is claimed by many to be the toughest league in the entire state April 26 against Lake Orion. Results were not yet available at press time. Clarkston’s next game will be April 28 when they host West Bloomfield at 4 p.m. They then go on the road to Rochester April 30.
‘We’re just letting one mistake lead into another. Our kids have to find a way to turn this thing around,? Price said.