By Wendi Reardon Price
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Lake Orion — Nakenna Knowlton started Saturday with a big hit for the Clarkston Varsity Softball team in the 4-2 district 30 semifinal win over Rochester Adams, June 3.
She was the first batter up to the plate at the top of the first inning and hit a home run, putting the Wolves up 1-0.
“We had a very good approach – that it’s a one game at a time kind of day,” said Katie Smith, head coach. “We focused our attention on how to beat the first team and never looked ahead. Our girls did a good job on focusing on every out that needed to be made. Overall our team has done a really good job of holding each other accountable and doing the right thing at the right time – our whole roster, on the field, off the field.”

The Highlanders tied up the game in the bottom of the second inning, 1-1.
Clarkston took the lead back at the top of the next inning when Knowlton brought in one run on her double. Alex Moore also had an RBI off her hit, putting the score, 3-1.
The next run came from Rochester Adams at the bottom of the sixth inning, closing the gap by one, 3-2.
Clarkston created more cushion when Moore hit a double at the top of the seventh inning and brought in one run.
The Wolves shut down Rochester Adams quickly at the bottom of the seventh inning, catching two of the three hits the Highlanders made and Knowlton struck out the fourth batter.
“Defense did great,” said Smith. “We had to make some adjustments on some of our shifts and to different hitters. But we have been working on what we considered a weakness early in the season. They came out strong, but more importantly they came out confident. I was happy with that.”
The Wolves moved on to play Lake Orion in the district final the same day and lost, 10-4.
“Like any team, you make adjustments but you play your game,” Smith said before the game. “We know the level we compete at and our potential and how we should approach every opportunity. I think we are ready for all the opportunities we are going to get.”
The Wolves grabbed the lead at the top of the third inning with two runs from Ella Cady off her triple. Knowlton and Keira Tolmie both hit doubles during the inning.
They held onto the lead as the Dragon’s next three batters each were out at first following their hits during the bottom of the third inning.
During the bottom of the fourth inning, the Dragons scored four runs with Rylee Limberger and Addy Dukus with one RBI each and Alex Hazen with two RBIs.
Lake Orion struck again at the bottom of the fifth inning scoring six more runs to take a 10-2 lead.
The Wolves scored two runs at the top of the seventh inning with one RBI each from Cady and Kayla Cole.
Moore and Hannah Wayne both hit doubles during the inning.
Clarkston won first round of the district playoffs with 12-1 win over Waterford Mott, May 30. They finished the season with an overall 14-21 record

  district playoffs, softball