Lady Wolves are fired up to start hitting home runs as they play their first games this week.
‘It looks very positive. The girls have good attitudes, willingness to work hard at their game and as a team,? said Clarkston Girls Varsity Softball Head Coach Don Peters.
Assistant Coaches Kelly Martin and Amy Quayle agreed.
‘We have a lot of good returners coming back,? said Martin.
With them comes the characteristics every Lady Wolf possess – experience, leadership, dedication and role models to the younger players.
The strength of the team begins with the three captains, seniors Bailee Braunreuther, Taylor Hasselbach, and Amanda Martin.
‘Each one brings their own type of integrity and work ethic to the game,? said Quayle. ‘Bailee is a leader on the mound, Taylor is a talkative leader from shortstop and Amanda is a leader in the outfield so having them in three different position helps because they are in contact with all types of players.?
Quayle added they each have the drive to take the team far in the season and help their teammates keep their focus.
Another strength is the team has a lot of depth with three quality starters and the defense.
‘Behind it is our defense,? said Peters. ‘We have a lot of girls that are good hitters and have a lot of power.?
The players to watch this season are leading hitters Hasselbach, Braunreuther, Sarah Altene and Syney Hasselbach. Leading strike outs and no hitters on the mounds are Braureuther, Altene and Megan Hastings.
‘Amanda Martin and Liz Zezula are going to have their breakout year this season,? said Peters.
The girls have a tough season in front of them but are prepared for anything.
‘We learned a lot from our scrimmages two weeks ago,? said Quayle. ‘We worked on areas we thought were potential weaknesses. We have a lot of potential going into those games it’s just maintaining that focus and dedication to do what they want to do. Any game can be won by anybody it’s just the attitude you come out with, the drive you have to be there.?
The goals for the season are to keep getting better in their positions, as well as win the OAA Red league and make it to the Final Four this June for the highest honor – state champions.
‘We know that we had the potential last year to be in the final four. If a few things would have bounced our way we would have been there,? said Quayle. ‘If we can diminish the amount of errors we have in a game and maintain the focus of what their ultimate goal is to be in the state finals then we could end up there.?
Last year the girls won their second consecutive league championship in the OAA Red and won districts. They lost to Troy in the Regional playoffs, 1-0.
They are currently ranked ninth in Division 1.
‘There is a good reason for it,? said Peters. ‘They are good players.
They play their first game on Wednesday at Troy-Athens. They play in the Pinconning Spartan tournament on Saturday and head to Avondale on Monday.
They host their home opener on Wednesday against Farmingtion in a double-header. The first game begins at 4:30 p.m.