Clear Lake girls looking for first softball win

The Clear Lake girls are still in quest of their first victory after dropping four contests during the week.

“Overall, the girls are improving and continuing to work hard,” said Coach Megan Young. “Some games we have hot bats, but can’t string them together, and other games we give the other teams free runs with errors. We have been trying girls in different 

positions to see where each girl can shine. These girls are learning and improving every single game and we still have very high expectations from the girls.”
The Lions are now 0-8 overall and 0-5 in the North Central Conference.

IF-A 12, CL 0 (3)
Iowa Falls-Alden was too much for a young Lions team Monday, June 2. The Cadets topped the Lions in three innings, 12-0.
Eighth grader Lexi Jones had a hot bat for the Lions. She had the team’s only two hits for the night.
“We had four errors that they capitalized on. The girls are improving and continuing to work hard,” said Coach Megan Young.

Central Springs 13, CL 1 (5)
Central Springs started fast, with seven runs on the first inning, on their way to a 13-1 non-conference victory Tuesday, June 3.
The Lions scored their run in the second, when sophomore Rachel Niemi singled, was moved to third with a deep center double off the bat of junior Michala Ouverson. Eighth grader Kayla Ritter drove in the lone RBI.
Those were the only hits the Lions had in the shortened game.
Freshman Kiersten Baalson took the loss on the mound. She threw three innings, giving up two hits and walking two. Reagan Brackey pitched one inning, walking four and giving up six hits.

Eagle Grove 12, CL 0 (5)
Eagle Grove scored at least a run in every inning of their 12-0 five inning win over Clear Lake Wednesday in North Central Conference softball.
Tori Fyfe had a pair of hits for the Lions. Michala Ouverson, Rachel Niemi, Sara Ouehler, Michaela Niles and Kayla Ritter all had one hit. Ritter’s hit was a deep double into center field.
“We had three errors that Eagle Grove took advantage of,” said Coach Young.
A highlight of the game for the Lions was a diving pop catch by Sara Buehler to get the third at second base.
Lion pitcher Brackey Reagan gave up nine hits, struck out two and walked three.

Humboldt 19, CL 0 (3)
Eight fielding errors hurt the Lions against Humboldt Thursday, June 5. The Wildcats jumped on the miscues to score 12 in the first and seven in the second.
Junior Michala Ouverson had the Lions’ lone hit in the NCC contest.
Reagan Brackey had two strikeouts and two walks on the mound for the Lions.
“She is learning patience and persistence at the mound,” said Coach Young.
Charles City Tournament
Osage and Forest City got the better of the Lions at the Charles City Tournament played Saturday. Osage was a 13-1 winner, while Forest City came out on top by a 12-4 score.
Against Osage, Tori Fyfe, Rachel Niemi, Michaela Niles, and Kayla Ritter picked up hits, but with 10 errors it was hard for the Lions to hold the Green Devils on base. Clear Lake earned its one run when Ouverson drove in Fyfe in the third inning.
Kiersten Baalson had three strikeouts and two walks.
“She is learning to really command the plate,” said Coach Young.
Fielding errors were also costly against Forest City. The Lions had 13 errors overall during the game.
“As a team we did not back up the pitcher,” commented Coach Young.
The Lions were able to capitalize on three Indian errors, scoring two runs in the fourth and adding scores in the fifth and sixth.
Reagan Brackey, Tori Fyfe, Lexi Jones and Michala Ouverson had singles. Ouverson also smacked a double.
Brackey had four walks and one strikeout for the Lions.
“When our third baseman got injured, eighth grader Rachel Barillas stepped up and made some great plays, getting players out at first,” added the coach.