The Clarkston softball team is planning on being offensive this year, but in a good way.
This year’s edition of the Wolves softball team will feature a powerful offense, but an inexperienced pitching staff.
‘We have a very strong batting order,? Clarkston coach Al Land said. ‘We have some girls who can really drive the ball so we should be able to score some runs. We also have good team speed which will help us score some runs. We are going to be aggressive on the base paths.?
Clarkston returns its best hitter in Suzie Girouz who last year batted .409 and knocked in 39 runs. Missy Parsons, who hit .398 last year, and Heather Girouz, who batted .372, will add some punch to the line-up.
‘Suzie Giroux and Heather Giroux will be key players for us this year,? Land said.
The team is looking to build off its 25-10 record last year.
The concern for this season is the pitching staff which in extremely inexperienced. The Wolves do not have a pitcher returning from last year’s team.
‘We have no varsity experience at pitcher. We just have junior varsity experience. I am not set on a rotation yet. There is a lot of different rotations that I can do. We are flexible there,? Land said.
The coach hopes their speed will translate into a solid defensive team. The Wolves are in a highly competitive division and need to be on the top of their game to capture the title.
‘It is probably the best league in the state. There are a lot of well balanced teams. There are going to be a lot of close games this season.?
The Clarkston softball team includes seniors Missy Parsons, Jenna Kast, Courtney Robinson, Jaimie Gove, Kalicia Gentry, Jenny Tatu, Lauren Trager, juniors Suzie Giroux, Heather Giroux, Caitlin McLean, Kelly Robinson, Courtney Bollman, Sarah McGinnis and freshmen Amber Giroux, Katy Kleinedler and Kristen Braunreuther.