Lions on a roll; break into Class 3A rankings

Clear Lake’s Gavin Sheakley gets ready to round third during a baseball matchup with West Fork on Tuesday, June 7.  Right behind him at second base is Colin Lobdel. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

On the strength of a 6-0 week during which they outscored their opponents 81-11 in just 26 innings played, the Clear Lake boys baseball team broke into the Class 3A rankings last week.  The Lions, who are 12-4 overall and lead the North Central Conference with a 6-0 record, are ranked number 10 in Class 3A.

CL 13, Eagle Grove 2 (5)
CL 15, Eagle Grove 0 (4)
    The Lions got the week off to a good start, both offensively and defensively.  They routed Eagle Grove in a doubleheader players Monday, June 6. 
    Coach Seth Thompson pointed out the team was especially help by the fact that pitcher Gavin Sheakly was able to throw every inning, but one, in the two-game affair.  “It saves arms for us in a stretch were we play nine games in eight days,” said Thompson. 
    “Our approach at the plate as a team was very good, and our defense only recorded one error on the night,” noted the coach.  In the seven innings the Lions were at the plate, they scored each time.  In game one, they erupted for seven runs in the fourth to break open a 5-2 contest through three.  In game two, the Lions put the pressure on consistently, racking up 15 runs in three innings.

    Among the many highlights were homeruns off the bats of Elliott

 Neuberger (game one) and Tanner Tusha (game two).  Several players had multiple hits in both games, including Ozzie Adams, with three hits in the first game and four in the second.  Tanner Truesdell finished with a total of six hits and six RBI  in the two games.  Jake Kockler and Michael Keeran had five hits and Neuberger and Zac Bendickson each had four.  Neuberger led the team with five RBI in the second contest.

CL 14, West Fork 4
    Clear Lake pounded out 22 hits and scored 14 runs in a 14-4 thrashing of West Fork Tuesday, June 7. 
    “It was good to see us carry the momentum from Monday to this game against West Fork,” said Coach Seth Thompson.  “It was nice to see us respond with nine runs in the first two innings after their leadoff hitter started the game with a home run.”
    Michael Keeran received his first varsity start and responded with a good effort.  He gave up three hits, walked five and struck out four in six innings pitched. 
    Tanner Tusha also had a first in the game.  The junior catcher smacked his first varsity home run, bringing in two runs.
    “As a team we are starting to see more power creep into our lineup,” said the coach.
    All nine batters in the order recorded hits for the Lions, led by Tanner Truesdell and Ozzie Adams’ four hits apiece. Truesdell was credited with four RBI.  Keeran, Zac Bendickson and Jake Kockler each had three hits.  Bendickson drove in three runs with his hits. Kockler hit a pair of doubles.
    Elliott Neuberger had two hits and two RBIs for Clear Lake, which scored in every inning but the fourth. Read More Via E-Edition