Clear Lake softball team enjoys an upswing

The Clear Lake softball team enjoyed an upswing in the program last week.  The Lions battled to a tie with Hampton-Dumont, then posted wins over Waukon and Belmond-Klemme before losing to Charles City in a Saturday tournament.  The Lions are now 2-3-1 overall.

CL 5, H-D 5

Jenna Peterson smacked three hits and Carney Frahm had two, helping the Lions to improve output on 

offense in a battle with Hampton-Dumont Friday, May 31.  In all, Clear Lake had 10 hits on their way to a 5-5 tie with the Bulldogs.  

After each team scored in the first, the Bulldogs took the lead in the third with a single run, then added three more in the fourth to lead, 5-1.  The Lions came back strong in the sixth inning with four runs to knot the score.  Each team went scoreless in the seventh and inclement weather postponed play to break the tie.

Senior Annie Snyder picked up a pair of RBIs on one hit and sophomores Michaela Ouverson and Lindsey Kearns each had one hits and one RBI.  Also getting on the base paths with a hit was Tori Fyfe and Kaitlyn Pitzen.

Sara Barlow was the winning pitcher.  The senior struck out five and walked one.  She gave up nine hits.

CL 10, Waukon 7

The Lions pounded out 17 hits and outscored Waukon 10-7 in a game played Saturday, June 1.  

Clean-up hitter Jenna Peterson led the way with five hits in five at-bats.  She brought in three runs.  Hannah Bartlett also swung a good bat, connecting for four hits and an RBI.  Lead-off hitter Megan Loux had three hits and an RBI.  Carney Frahm also had two hits, bringing the total number of hits for the Lions’ top four batter in the order to 14.  

Waukon got a run in the seventh to knot the score at 4-4 and force extra innings.  But in the eighth it was the Lions who wanted the win more. They put six runs on the board in the eighth, then stopped a challenge by Waukon for the 10-7 victory.

Sara Barlow again got the win.  She gave up three earned runs on nine hits.  She struck out three and walked three.

CL 5, B-K 1

The Lions put two runs on the scoreboard in the third, then padded their lead in the late innings for a 5-1 victory over Belmond-Klemme in their second game at the Charles City Tournament Saturday.  

The senior again led the team at the plate, with Kaitlyn Pitzen getting four hits, Hannah Bartlett three and Jenna Peterson two.  Pitzen was credited with two RBI.

Megan Loux, Carney Frahm, Michaela Ouverson and Lindsay Kearns each had a hit to bring the Lions’ total to 13 in the game.

Sara Barlow was on the mound for the Lions.  The Lion defense gave her good support, making the Broncos’ only run earned.  B-K recorded 11 hits off Barlow.  She struck out three and walked two in the winning effort.

CC 14, CL 4

Charles City showed why it is a top program year-in and year-out with a solid 14-4 win over the Lions in their tournament.  The game ended after five innings.

Jenna Peterson stepped in for the Lions’ regular ace, Sara Barlow.  The Comets recorded 18 hits off Peterson on their way to 12 earned runs.   She struck out one and walked two.

Clear Lake’s offense output was stymied by the Comet pitching staff.  The team had six hits and no player had more than one.  Megan Loux, Hannah Bartlett, Carney Frahm, Kaitlyn Pitzen, Lindsay Kearns and Tori Fyfe all reached base.