Clarkston softball coach Don Peters has undertaken a game-by-game philosophy, preparing the Wolves for each contest. Clarkston’s season came down to a pitch-by-pitch nail biter, ended with a 4-3 loss to Birmingham Seaholm Saturday at Clarkston.
Trailing 3-2 in the seventh inning, Clarkston’s Caitlin Morris walked and Lindsey Upchurch drove her home with a double to the gap in left field.
Seaholm starter Alexis Brumm got Jessica Palace to pop up, leaving the Wolves? rally to Monique Guerro. Guerro fouled off several pitches before Brumm struck her out swinging for the final out.
‘I was hoping a couple more girls would do what Churchie (Upchurch) did. We have a nice lineup one through nine and it doesn’t bother me where we’re at,? Peters said.
‘Even at the bottom of the lineup, those kids are good hitters. Until the last pitch, I thought we had a chance.?
The Maples (20-11) put one run up in the first inning. Dani Dulbery walked and then Hilary Sheridan doubled to left field. Paige Young hit the ball to third and Taylor Hasselbach had trouble making the play and Dulbery scored. Sheridan was caught in a rundown on the play to end the inning.
‘As much as they play, in districts and regionals when it’s a one-shot deal, it helps if you have experience behind you,? Peters said.
‘They really gained a lot of confidence and this summer they’re all playing on travel teams and working out in the winter. They’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.?
Clarkston (22-15) had trouble getting anything started in the first three innings, but scored two runs in the fourth inning to tie the game 2-2. Hasselbach redeemed herself with a sacrifice fly to right field, which scored Kara Wandrie, and Shantel Uballe followed with an RBI single to score Jenny Jochum.
The Maples answered right back, scoring one run in the fourth and another in the fifth inning to reclaim the lead. After Clarkston starter Bailee Braunreuther got Brumm to strike out, she walked Mert Shepard, who would score from first on a wild throw to second base. Braunreuther got Sheridan to ground out with runners on second and third to end the inning.
Seaholm had the bases loaded in the fifth inning before Jenny Frey scored on a wild pitch to go up 4-2.
‘There’s a value and an experience that most of these kids learned. I only started one senior out there and even though we try to keep them calm, even Bailee may have been a little nervous or overwhelmed,? Peters said.
‘Usually when your pitches are getting a little high, you’re just trying to overdo it. I’m glad I’ve got her back for three more years?
Clarkston’s top four in the batting lineup, highly productive this season, was unable to provide the offense it has in games past. Upchurch was 2/3 with a single, double and RBI.
‘I figured we’d be pretty evenly matched and we were. The girls did a nice job,? Peters said.
‘They took advantage of our mistakes and had some key hits on top of it.?
Brumm was able to keep the Wolves off balance with her drop pitch, a signature of hers, Maples coach Mike Hessling said.
‘We played a steady seven innings of softball. We had to change up our infield somewhat because one of our players was injured,? he said.
Sheridan, a senior captain, broke two fingers in practice Friday and had to play first base Saturday for the Maples.