Clarkston’s baseball team has had trouble finding a groove this season. The Wolves never found their stride while visiting No. 1 state ranked Lake Orion May 2, losing 7-1. The Wolves (4-9) couldn’t bring their runners around to score and the Dragons fed on Clarkston miscues for their 12th consecutive win.
Lake Orion (12-1) lost to Birmingham Groves on the first day of the season and has since picked up its play.
‘We’re finding ways to win, but that was not the performance I expected against a team like Clarkston,? Dragons coach Andy Schramek said.
‘We didn’t play our best baseball, but we did get some hits when we needed them. They were two hits away from making this thing close when they had (runners) at second and third with less than two outs.?
Lake Orion starter Connor Mielock remained undefeated, picking up his fifth win of the year while striking out eight hitters. John Ruggeri worked the final two innings in relief for the save.
Schramek felt his team wasn’t as fluid as normal.
‘We were just listless and not as energetic as we’ve been in the past. But for the past three weeks, we’ve been playing exceptional in all areas. Scores are going to be scores and if we play the right way (we can win). Today, we could have done a better job in some areas,? he said.
The Dragons committed four errors during the game, two of which came while trying to close out the game in the top of the seventh inning.
Similarly, Clarkston coach Phil Price said his team allowed too many extra chances for a talented Lake Orion team.
‘They’re a great team. You can’t give them four, five or six outs an inning.
‘Our kids just didn’t execute in the field and make the plays. Against a team like (that) you have to make every routine play and (the Dragons) did a good job capitalizing on our mistakes.?
With the loss, Clarkston is now 0-4 in the Oakland Activities Association while the Dragons are on the other side of the spectrum, at 4-0.
With Clarkston ahead 1-0, Lake Orion quickly caught up with three-run innings in the second and third. Mielock picked up an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Dragons to make the game 7-1. The Wolves stranded runners at second and third base in the fifth and sixth innings.
Clarkston nearly put a larger dent in the lead while on its last legs in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. Brandon Harris grounded out to Ruggeri to end the game.
Ty Taylor had an RBI, driving in Eric Ogg in the first inning for the Wolves.