The Roy ‘Pops? Warner Classic is Clarkston High School’s baby. Since the tournament is dedicated to the school’s longtime, hall of fame coach, the pressure was on the Wolves to come away with the crown on May 7.
‘Whether you win or lose, you want your kids to compete,? said current Clarkston Coach Phil Price.
At the end of the day, the Wolves got to play the role of bad host as they beat Waterford Mott, Warren Mott and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in succession to win the tourney.
Early on, the situation looked grim for the home team, as Clarkston trailed Waterford Mott 7-2 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Price said he was proud of the way his kids did not waver under the pressure of the situation. Clarkston finessed in two runs before Eric Ogg’s triple with the bases loaded brought home all the ducks on the pond, tying the score. Then in the ninth inning, Steve McIsaac singled home the winning run. Mike Navarre picked up the win in relief of JJ Lange in Clarkston’s eventual 8-7 victory.
Next against Warren Mott, Brandon Phillips made sure that Mike Kittle’s 12 strikeout performance did not go to waste as he singled with the bases loaded, in the bottom of the seventh and Clarkston down one run, to win the game 7-6.
In the final showdown with Notre Dame, who had previously mercied the two-time defending Roy Warner champs, Lapeer West, Clarkston cruised to a 14-4 win.
On the day, Price felt that both Ogg and Lange’s bats stood out for the Wolves.
The Wolves feel good vibe of the weekend was brought to halt though on May 9, as Clarkston lost 3-1 to Royal Oak Kimball.
‘We had a couple lapses in the field that cost us the game,? said Price.
All three of Kimball’s runs were unearned, leaving Clarkston pitcher Steve McIsaac with a stat line featuring zero runs allowed and one loss. Price felt McIsaac did a good job on the hill; and if not for the errors in the field, the Wolves could have wrestled a victory away from Kimball’s ace Bryan Pierce.
The away game against Kimball was the first of three dates on the road for Clarkston. On May 11, the Wolves take on a Troy team they beat 9-2 on April 20. On May 12 Clarkston will make up their game against North Farmington originally scheduled for April 8.
Clarkston next plays for the home fans in an OAA showdown against Lake Orion on May 16. Lake Orion wrested control of the league and a 2-1 victory from Clarkston on May 3.