League championships and district titles are nothing new to members of the Clarkston High School varsity baseball team. But a new honor came its way recently to a few key members of the team.
Seniors Addison Turk, Sam Palace and Aaron Powell were all named all-state this year. The three have all played varsity baseball since their sophomore seasons, when the Wolves made it to the state semifinals. The last two years Clarkton has enjoyed being crowned OAA I league champions and advanced to the regional final each of the last two years. Turk, Palace and Powell were three of the biggest reasons for Clarkston’s success this year.
The three were some of the most consistent hitters on the team, along with Mike Kittle and Jono Moehlig. All three will be playing at the collegiate level with Palace attending Kent State University. Powell will be attending another Mid American Conference School in Eastern Michigan University while Turk will be playing at Macomb Community College.
The three are close friends and have shared a lot of memories the last few years.
In addition to having sports in common, Powell and Turk also share a common interest in their future field of study. Both plan on studying criminal justice. The two both took John Zittel’s Law and Society class at Clarkston High School and Turk said Zittel piqued his interest in the field.
‘I’ve always kind of been interested in that,? Turk said. ‘But Mr. Zittel made it interesting made me want to get into it more.?
The three saw lots of wins the last several years and admit that leaving Clarkston will be tough, but at the same time, they are welcoming their next wave of challenges. Turk was named all-league last year, but this marked the first year he made all league. However, as much as he was happy to be named all-league it’s the friendships he maintained through baseball which will be what he remembers most.
‘It’s a great honor to be mentioned with the best baseball players in the state,? Turk said. ‘But I think myself, Addison and Sam took it upon ourselves to be an example for this team. Being able to play with my best friends each day and winning the league back-to-back, those are things I won’t forget.?
Powell said getting named all-league came out of left field to him, especially when he rethinks his baseball past.
‘I thought I should’ve gotten it my sophomore year, but I didn’t, so I really didn’t come into this season with any expectations,? Powell said.
Powell said he did receive all-county honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons, but this was his first year being named all-state.
Next year, while attending EMU, Powell will play probably either third or first and the minutes of playing time he receives rests solely on him, he said. He said the Eagles basically lost their entire infield this year, so there is indeed a lot of opportunity. He just needs to make the most of it.
‘They told me I’d be able to play. It just depends on how I do. If I play well, I’ll play a lot, if not, then well, I won’t be,? he said.
Powell, who was the starting pitcher in Clarkston’s final baseball game of the year, a heartbreaking regional final loss to Brother Rice, said he won’t be a stranger to CHS.
‘We had a great year and it was great to be named all-state with Sam and Addison, but I’m sure I’ll be back to Clarkston to check out some games, both baseball and football,? he said.
The three were also key players last season’s football team and will be three of the biggest holes coach Phil Price has to find a way to replace next spring.