First match-ups tough for CL softball team

Lions fall to Mohawks and Panthers
MC 14, CL 0 (3)
    The Clear Lake girls ran into a Class 4A buzz saw in their season opener Monday, May 21.  The Mohawks topped the Lions in three innings, 14-0.
    “They were a very difficult team to play our first game against,” said Coach Nikki Petersburg.  “As the score reflects, our hitters were not prepared to face a pitcher of Lexi Peterson’s caliber.”

    Pederson tossed a no-hitter in the shutout win.
    Sophomore Katlyn Hill was on the mound for the Lions, pitching her first varsity game.   She was filling in for returning starting pitcher Sara Barlow, who has a quadriceps injury.
    “In the end, Coach Kiefer and I give a lot of credit to Katlyn for stepping up and pitching in a big game, especially since she has never pitched in a game before. She did a great job staying strong and keeping her head up,” added the coach.
    Mason City scored six runs in the first and plated eight more in the second.  They were helped by 12 walks; three batters took the base after being hit by a pitch.  The Lions had three errors in the game.
    
Central Springs 12, CL 0 (3)
    At Central Springs Thursday, the Lions faced another good team. The Panthers won, 12-0.
    Sara Barlow took the loss on the mound, giving up eight runs on seven hits in one and two-thirds innings.  She struck out one and walked non.
    “Even though Sara is injured, she got the okay to throw 50 pitches,” explained Coach Petersburg.  “For not having pitched much for two weeks she held her own.”
    Katlyn Hill pitched one inning an surrendered four hits and five walks.
    The Lions did not have a hit in the contest.