Clarkston made three errors in the first inning, but was able to regroup to defeat Birmingham Groves 11-6 in the Manuel Memorial Baseball Tournament.
The win came after a tough 3-0 loss to Northville in the first round of the tournament.
‘We lost to Northville 3-0, but that was one of the best games we played all year,? Clarkston Coach Phil Price said. ‘Our kids competed and played well, we just ran into a very good pitcher. We came out here and we gave up two runs in the first inning so I didn’t know what to expect. Our kids responded and scored four runs in the bottom of the inning. That set the tone for the rest of the day.?
Eric Ogg started off the Wolves comeback with a bunt single in the bottom of the first. Steve Vanderheyden drew a walk and then Mike Kittle got on base with a bunt single.
Clarkston scored off a fielder’s choice and Ty Taylor tied the game with a RBI single. The Wolves scored two more runs in the inning off two wild pitches to take a 4-2 lead.
The Wolves scored three more in the second. Ogg hit a grounder to third, but beat the throw for a single. He stole second and third before Vanderheyden knocked him in with a scarfice fly.
Kittle hit a single and Dave Brelinski drove him in with a home run to deep center. The home run came two pitches after he nearly hit a home run that went foul. Brelinski said he wasn’t necessarily going for a home run.
‘I just tried to get a base hit,? Brelinski said. ‘You can’t always go for the home run. If you go for the base hit, then the home runs will come. It always feels good to get a home run though.?
Clarkston added another run in the third and two more in the fourth to take a 10-2 lead.
Groves scored two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, but couldn’t get any closer.
Clarkston pitcher Cody Noel struck out seven to earn the win. Price said he was impressed with Noel’s performance on the mound.
‘He competed,? Price said. ‘He threw strikes. The other thing he did was when other people made mistakes behind him, he didn’t let it bother him.?