AOTW: Clarkston standout is ‘Chase’ing down his baseball dreams

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

CLARKSTON — In a conversation with his dad last July, Chase Toth asked a question: “Why am I even thinking about this?”

Precisely, Toth was wondering why there was even a debate where he wanted to play baseball in college.

A lifelong fan of Michigan State, Toth decided that the decision was, in his heart, made a long time ago.

“I just walked into the room and said to my dad, ‘there’s no reason to wait any longer.’ So then we scheduled a meeting with them and drove up there and made a commitment,” recalled Toth, now a graduating senior from Clarkston High School. “My dad went to Michigan State and I have always wanted to go to school there. They had recruited me (for baseball). July 1 was the first day they could officially talk to recruits, so I made the (oral) commitment.”

Toth officially signed his letter-of-intent earlier this school year and now has had quite a senior year for Clarkston (22-7), which is set to play at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oxford in a Division 1 regional semifinal against Utica Eisenhower.

A year ago, Clarkston advanced to the regional finals (Sweet 16) before bowing out to Rochester Adams. Toth and the Wolves have high hopes of making it even further this season with a senior-laden roster.

With two wins Saturday, Clarkston would advance to Tuesday’s state quarterfinals. The Final Four is set for June 17-18 in Battle Creek — a destination that is on the radar for Toth and his teammates.

IN ACTION: Clarkston's Chase Toth digs himself out of the batter's box after he laces this single in a game earlier this season. Toth, headed to Michigan State, is one of the state's premier seniors. File Photo.

“We didn’t do as well in the league as we hoped to, but we have the talent to make a run,” predicted Toth. “We have a lot of seniors who want to get back (to the regional finals) and go even further this season.

Toth has heard tales of the 1976 team at Clarkston that won the Class A state championship, a 2-1 victory over Hazel Park, and the 2002 team that made a push to the Final Four, where the Wolves lost to Portage Central, 6-2.

“I grew up in Clarkston, so I’ve heard all kind of stories about their teams,” admitted Toth. “It’s special to be able to (suit up) in a Clarkston uniform.”

In recent years, Clarkston lost in the regional finals in 2003, 2004 and 2006 and the regional semifinals in 2005. The only time it has made it past regional weekend in recent years was that 2002 campaign.

There’s a chance this weekend that Toth and the Wolves could push through some regional territory.

“That’s our main focus right now. If not, we’re done,” reminded Toth.

This season, Toth is batting around .460 from the lead-off spot with over 30 stolen bases. He was moved from third in the order to lead-off in late April because he was drawing too many walks. He is a likely candidate, being a Division I recruit with high numbers, for multiple postseason honors.

Playing baseball since he was “old enough to walk,” Toth has built quite a resume in recent years. Last summer, he played for two summer teams, Chief Pontiac in the American Legion league, where Toth and his teammates advance to the state tournament; and for the Oakland Bulldogs, a high-level travel team that plays in several high profile tournaments throughout the Midwest.

“That gave me a lot of exposure to some great competition,” recalled Toth. “I really learned a lot from (coach) Chuck VanRobays with the Oakland Bulldogs. He’s a former college and (minor league) player who taught me a great deal about the game.”

Clarkston coach Phil Price said that Toth is in a league on his own in terms of being a full-package outfielder.

“We’ve had some very good outfielders before that went on to play in college,” he said. “But Chase is so well-rounded. He has such great speed and range in center field and does things that most high school outfielders can’t do. He has a strong-arm and gets to ball so quickly, gets to the gaps. He can hit for power, hit for (average). We’re lucky to have him.”

Toth was selected this week to play in the annual MHSBCA East-West All-Star game, one of nine Oakland County players to be given such an honor. The game will be played June 21 at Comerica Park in Detroit.

“It really is an honor. To be considered one of the top seniors in the state to play in that game is something that I won’t forget,” he said. “I am looking forward to it.”

For Now, Toth is just eyeing Saturday with high hopes for a regional championship.

“Our goal is to get to Battle Creek (site of the Final Four),” beamed Toth. “We have a lot of seniors that have worked towards this. We’ll take it one game at a time. We have the talent. Now, we have to go out and prove it.”

Perhaps that will be able to spur even some more baseball conversations with his father this July — and many more in the years to follow.

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Tags: Athlete of the Week, Chase toth, clarkston Baseball, East-West All-Star Game, high school baseball, MHSAA Division 1 Baseball State Tournament, prep baseball

Category: BWW Athlete of the Week, Clarkston, High School, Prep Wraps