History was made June 12 for the Clarkston varsity softball team.
The Wolves captured their first regional title under coach Al Land with a 1-0 win over Birmingham Groves at Groves High School. The Wolves faced Lake Orion June 15 in the state quarterfinals. Results were not available at press time. Should the Wolves beat Lake Orion, who they beat twice already this season, they’ll play in the state semifinals June 18 in Battle Creek. The state finals will be played at the same site June 19.
‘It means a lot to me personally because of all the seniors. Next year we’re going to have to start over again some. They’re a nice group of kids. I’ve had more talented teams, but I’ve never had a better team as far as work ethic, trying hard, never quitting. I haven’t had one kid give me a bit of trouble on this team and that’s unusual,? Land said.
Much like the semifinal game, a defensive battle with Walled Lake Western, the Wolves and Lady Falcons were locked in a pitcher’s duel for the game’s first seven and a half innings with neither team able to score.
However, the Wolves finally were able to muster up some offense when they needed it most. Laura O’Neil drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh. That was followed by a single by Heather Giroux, which gave Clarkston runners at first and second with no outs. Katy Kleinedler then singled which loaded the bases for Clarkston.
However, O’Neil was picked off at third base after a shallow infield pop up by Katie Jorgenson was caught by Groves. Birmingham Groves? pitcher Caitlin Meadows then intentionally walked Clarkston power hitter Suzie Giroux in order to get to senior shortstop Caitlin McLean. That proved to be a big mistake. McLean hit the game winning RBI which caused Clarkston’s bench to erupt with smiles and jumps for joy from players, coaches and fans alike.
The win continues a trend of Clarkston playing its best softball at this late stage of the season. The Wolves capped off their regular season with two wins over Lake Orion. They then breezed through their district tournament while not allowing a run. The win was a big relief for Land, but also not a surprise.
‘Anybody that has watched us play the two weeks knows we’ve been playing very well every game. I wasn’t over confident, but I knew we had a chance to win,? Land said. ‘We had two clutch hits from her (Caitlin McLean). She does that. She won’t get a hit here and there, but she’s capable of hitting the ball.?
It might have been easy for the Wolves to relax some in the regional final following another emotional and draining win just hours before against rival Walled Lake Western, who ended Clarkton’s playoff run last year. But the Wolves knew the Lady Falcons would be a tough opponent. Clarkston lost two of three contests to the Groves this year, losing 3-2 and 3-1 and winning 2-0.
‘I knew going in it was going to be tough. I just told them (after the Walled Lake Western game) that the team we’re probably going to play is Groves and they beat us twice. That was all I had to tell them. They’re smart kids. They know. I don’t think we just focused on Walled Lake Western. I think we focused in on winning today,? Land said.
The Wolves have not allowed a run in their last seven games, Land said.