The Clarkston softball team can only wonder what might have been after a heart breaking 5-4 loss to Waterford Mott in the first round of districts on May 30.
The Wolves had a 4-2 lead entering the bottom of the seventh. Clarkston pitcher Megan Sperry struck out the lead off hitter, but then the Corsairs? Lindsey Wood hit a single and Tori Rexford drew a walk.
Mott’s next batter grounded out, but advanced the two runners. Megan Hudson then hit a RBI single and Mott tied the game off a throwing error on the play. The Corsairs next batter, Kelsie Kleine, hit a single and Hudson scored the game-winning run off another Wolves? throwing error.
‘I think in retrospect they tried to overplay,? Clarkston Coach Don Peters said. ‘We always say stay within your abilities. We threw a couple of balls that we shouldn’t have thrown. We just tried to make plays that weren’t there.?
The loss eliminates the Wolves from the state playoffs, but Peters said the team should be proud of their accomplishments.
‘I told them they played hard and to keep their heads up high. Not selling yourself short is the most important thing. It just didn’t work out for us today,? Peters said after the loss to Mott. ‘I had a really nice group of girls. A lot of coaches say that, but I’m sincere about it. They are a nice group of girls and they worked hard to get better.?
Sperry had seven strikeouts and one RBI in the loss to the Corsairs. Peters said Sperry pitched great all season.
‘She had a really good season, but things don’t always go as you want them to,? Peters said. ‘She has to understand she did do well and she did have a good season. Against Mott, things just didn’t work out. I don’t want her to judge her senior season on that inning.?
Sperry knocked in Jessica Palace to score the first run of the game and Kara Wandrie followed with a RBI single of her own in the top of the fourth to give Clarkston a 2-0 lead.
The Wolves added a run in the fifth when Caitlin Morris hit an RBI single, but the Corsairs scored a run of their own when Amanda Mink scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the fifth.
Mott scored a run in the sixth when Allison Grattan hit an RBI single and Clarkston added a run in the top of seventh when Trisha Martens hit a RBI double.
Catcher Amber Giroux went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs. Peters was pleased with the way Giroux handled each at-bat.
‘She battled every time she was at the plate,? Peters said. ‘She also displayed good leadership behind the plate. She was on varsity all four years. She played with confidence and understood the game.?
The Wolves, who started four sophomores this season, will have more experience. Peters said he is excited about the next couple years.
‘We have a real bright future,? Peters said. ‘We brought up some kids from J.V. and we have a nice group of freshman, so we have a nice core coming up. We just need to find someone to pitch for us next year. Megan carried the load for us this year. In the other eight positions, we are in great shape and we may be there, but the other pitchers haven’t been tested a lot.?