The only team to stop the Wolves down on the baseball diamond this year has been the Overcast High Raindrops.
Amidst having two of their first two games rescheduled because of inclement weather, Clarkston starts the 2006 campaign at 2-0 (1-0). An early feather in the Wolves cap came on April 10, as Clarkston defeated Farmington 4-0 at home.
‘I was very proud of the way we played (against Farmington). We played really good in the field. Good defense makes the pitcher a lot better,? Clarkston Coach Phil Price said.
The pitche in question for the Wolves against Farmington was senior ace Steve McIsaac, who pitched a complete game for the win.
‘He just got stronger and stronger as the game went on ? He was a bulldog tonight,? Price said.
In the win McIsaac struck out five, including the first two batters in the seventh and final inning.
‘He’s not just a thrower,? said Price of McIsaac, whose fastball is reaches the low eighties. ‘He’s a pitcher out there, he can throw his slider or his curve for strikes anytime he wants.?
Clarkston’s bats were hot early as senior Mike Kittle rapped a lead-off single off Farmington ace Burny Mitchum, who Price considers one of the top three or four pitchers in the OAA I.
Kittle was sent back to the dugout as Eric Ogg reached on a fielder’s choice, who in turn was brought home by a hit by Dave Brelinski.
‘I was really scared about today. I knew (Farmington) was 6-1 coming in. They are a very good pro-gram. They were second in the league last year,? Price said.
Drew Howard knocked in an insurance run in the sixth inning to give the Wolves a 4-0 cushion late in the game.
Price sees Clarkston competing for the league title this year as the Wolves return all but three individuals who played significant roles on last year’s team.
‘I really, really feel as long as we don’t beat ourselves in the field we can beat anybody,? Price said.
In terms of the OAA I, Price feels the team to beat is Lake Orion.
‘I think Lake Orion is a lot like us. I don’t know if they have any true superstars. They just play solid baseball,? Price said
Price is looking to Kittle and Brelinski for leadership at the plate.
‘They’re going to set the tone offensively,? Price said.
The Clarkston coach also feels that with catcher Brian Phillips, McIsaac on the mound, Ogg in center field and shortstop Steve Vanderheyden the Wolves are strong up the middle defensively.
In Clarkston’s first action of the season, April 5 at Troy Athens the Wolves defense was on display in a 3-1 win.
McIsaac struck out 12 while allowing one earned run for the win. Josh Hall went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI and Ogg went 2-for-3 with a run scored as Clarkston scored two in the seventh inning for the win.
What was supposed to be a busy April will make for a clustered May as Clarkston’s home game against Rochester Adams on April 4 is now set for May 12. The Wolves home affair with North Farmington on April 7 also had to be moved because of gloomy skies ? the two teams play May 10.
Clarkston’s final game before spring break is at Rochester High School on April 12. The Wolves resume play on April 25 at Waterford Kettering.