CL softball team picks up first win of season

The Clear Lake girls capped a busy week with their first win of the season.  

“Overall, the girls are improving and continuing to work hard,” said Coach Megan Young.  “These girls are learning and improving every single game and we still have very high expectations from the girls. The girls are rising to the challenges presented to them.”

Garrigan 12, CL 0 (3)

The Lions started strong, but errors helped Garrigan score 10 runs in the third inning.  The Golden Bears won the North Central Conference game, 12-0.

“The first two innings were great, then we had six errors.  They scored on those errors to enhance their lead,” said Coach Megan Young.  “My girls are young and anxious to hit the ball.  We are working on patience and confidence at the plate.”

Garrigan’s pitcher, Betty Straub, recorded a no-hitter.

The coach said freshman Kiersten Baalson’s confidence is growing at the mound.  Baalson had three walks and two strikeouts.    

St Ed’s 10, CL 0

St. Ed’s steadily scored runs in five of seven innings on their way to a 10-0 NCC victory Monday, June 9.

“With our starting third baseman, Rachel Niemi, out, eighth grader and junior varsity catcher Lexi Jones had to step up and catch for varsity.  She did a great job,” said Coach Megan Young.  

The Lions had two hits in the game, provided by Kayla Ritter and Michaela Niles.  

“We were able to hit the ball well, but the fielding from St. Ed’s was there,” said Coach Young.  “We had some girls in new positions and they stepped up for us.  Chloe Mueller, at shortstop, had the ball hit to her frequently and was able to make the plays for us.  She even had a diving pop out catch.” 

Reagan Brackey pitched for the Lions.  She gave up 10 hits, walked five and struck out three in six innings.

“She is battling at the mound to be patient and go after the batters,” said Coach Young.

Humboldt 16, CL 12

The Clear Lake girls clawed their way back from a 12-0 deficit, but couldn’t quite get past Humboldt Tuesday, June 10.  The Wildcats won the NCC game, 16-12.

Humboldt jumped out to a 12-0 lead at the top of the fourth, but the Lions scored once in the fourth and pushed nine runs across in the fifth to cut the lead to 12-10. 

The Wildcats responded with one run in the sixth and three insurance runs in the seventh.

The Lions scored two in the bottom of the seventh, but ran out of time and lost, 16-12.

Clear Lake had nine hits in the game, with Sara Buehler and Michaela Niles getting two apiece.  Buehler and Erin O’Tool, who each had doubles, were each credited with two RBIs in the game, while Tori Fyfe had a double and three RBIs.  Lexi Jones and Carney Frahm also had doubles.

“We saw the girls come alive in this exciting game,” said Coach Young.  “They figured out how to rely on one another and make amazing plays.”

Hampton-Dumont 11, CL 1 (5)

Despite Erin O’Tool’s double and three other hits, the Lions couldn’t get a rally going and Hampton-Dumont posted an 11-1 conference win in five innings.

“We seemed to hit right to them, and couldn’t find the gaps,” said Coach Megan Young.

Five Lion errors also helped the Bulldogs.  

In addition to O’Tool, Tori Fyfe, Carney Frahm and Michaela Niles had hits.  

Reagan Brackey pitched for the Lions.  She gave up 13 hits, struck out one and walked one.

CL 4, Clarion Goldfield 1

There was no bad luck on Friday, the 13th for the Lions.  They scored three runs in the fourth and added an insurance run in the sixth to earn their first win of the season. They topped Clarion-Goldfield, 4-1.

“The girls came together and played a complete game,” said Coach Megan Young.  “The girls were fired up and on the ball.  We made fantastic plays and had a game with no errors.”

The Cowgirls scored their only run in the top of the fourth, but the Lions responded with three in the bottom of the frame.  Seven different players had hits.

Sara Buehler picked up two RBIs, while Erin O’Tool and Michaela Niles each had one.  Also getting hits were Carney Frahm, Michala Ouverson, Katie Hewett and Lexi Jones.

Reagan Brackey got the win.  She struck out two and gave up six hits.