A late start kept Clarkston from an early showing to start the softball season, but the Wolves kept plugging away, finishing with a 22-15 mark and a district championship. The team will look slightly different next season without Caitlin Morris at shortstop though. Morris, a four-year player, earned team MVP honors for her season as well as All-OAA.
‘She gave a comfort to the rest of the players because she was extremely consistent,? Wolves coach Don Peters said.
‘She was so smooth defensively. I love watching her play (because) she’s smooth the way she moves to the ball.?
Also missing will be catcher and designated hitter Jessica Palace and No. 2 pitcher Megan Moehlig. The girls will miss Palace’s skills and enthusiasm and Moehlig’s ability on the mound and in the dugout as a counselor for her teammates, Peters said.
Peters is expecting large contributions from his soon-to-be four-year starters Kara Wandrie, Lindsey Upchurch and Katie Smith in 2008. Also likely to have a big impact on the team next year, third baseman Taylor Hasselbach and pitcher Bailee Braunreuther, who both exceeded expectations in their freshman seasons. Smith and Hasselbach also earned All-OAA honors.
Kelley Anderson, who competed with Palace for a chance at catcher, also came up big for the Wolves this season, Peters said.
An energetic farm system created through lower ages of softball, softball clinics and travel teams put in place to foster talent, has increased the program’s depth, making space on the roster difficult to come by.
‘It’s going to be a war to get a spot,? Peters said.
‘We have some good, young talent coming up through the ranks. It’s going to be interesting who does what.?
In addition to Hasselbach and Braunreuther, Peters added two more freshmen to the roster from the junior varsity. Outfielder Ashlee Ogg and shortstop Amanda Martin joined the big leagues for some background knowledge.
‘They didn’t play a lot, but we tried to get them spot experience here and there,? Peters said.
Peters expects Ogg, a left-handed batter, to fit into the team’s slap-drag-philosophy at the plate.
Smith, Hasselbach and Shantel Uballe earned first-team All-Region and Braunreuther and Wandrie made the second team.
Hasselbach, Smith, Wandrie, Uballe, Braunreuther and Upchurch were named All-District for their play in the opening round of the playoffs.
Off-season conditioning and summer league play should have the Wolves charged up for the start of the next season.
‘I want them to be prepared to play at their highest level,? Peters said.