Lions earn plenty of post season honors

Clear Lake well represented on All-North Central Conference and All-District teams

    The outstanding season the Clear Lake baseball team enjoyed has been rewarded with a wealth of post-season honors.  Lions were well represented on both the All-North Central Conference and All-District Teams.
    “I think these kids accomplished some pretty great things this year, improving a very respectable record of 22-10 from a year ago to 28-10 this year,” said Clear Lake Coach Seth

Thompson.  “In conference play we didn’t get the conference title we were hoping for, but improved upon our record of 14-4 from a year ago to end up 15-3 this year.  As the program moves forward, we will miss our seniors that graduate this year (Elliott Neuberger, Colin Lobdell and Austin Kessler) but are excited to return a lot of varsity experience.  There are not too many programs in the state that will be returning seven All-Conference Players and five All-District Players.  One other very notable thing to watch next year will be where some of next year’s senior class end up in terms of not just Clear Lake baseball history but in the state career record books.  Ozzie (Adams) currently has 172 hits and 43 doubles, which puts him on pace to break the 200-hit and 50-double clubs, which are extremely exclusive clubs to join.  In the history of the state only 37 players have achieved 200 hits and only 31 players have reached 50 doubles.”

First Team
    Adams, a junior who pitched and played shortstop for the Lions, earned First Team All-NCC and First Team All-District honors.
    “Ozzie was among the best if not the best infielder in our conference defensively and one of the toughest outs at the plate as well,” said Thompson.  “This is Ozzie’s third consecutive year as an All-Conference player, which is pretty remarkable feat for a junior.   To be a First-Team All-District Player as a shortstop is a pretty elite accomplishment considering there is only one shortstop on the First Team and shortstop is usually where the best players end up playing for their teams.  He has been All-District now for three years, the last two as a First Team player. “
    Tanner Truesdell was a First Team All-NCC and First Team All-District choice.
    “Tanner drove in the most runs in the conference with 26 RBI, six more than the second highest player.  He along with Ozzie has been All-Conference now for three consecutive years,” said Thompson.  In district play, Truesdell had a terrific year both offensively and defensively.  “The most notable stat that sticks out at you is his 52 RBIs on the season,” said his coach.  “He was a huge run producer for his team this year and a big part of their getting 28 wins.”
    Elliott Neuberger was a First Team All-NCC and First Team All-District selection. 
    “Elliott was more than deserving of being an NCC First-Team player last season, so I was very pleased to see him make it this year in his senior season,” said Coach Thompson.  “This is Elliott’s third consecutive All-Conference Team as well.  He was the number one pitcher on a very good team both this year and last year and lead the conference this year in ERA with a very impressive 0.75 mark.”  Neuberger has been an All-District Player three straight years.  “To end up with only a 1.17 ERA against the quality teams he pitched against (Mason City, St. Ed’s, Central Springs, Garrigan, Algona) is pretty remarkable.  He made the team as a pitcher but could have made it a position player as well with his offensive stats,” said Thompson.
    Zac Bendickson was named to the First Team All-NCC and Second Team All-District.
    “Zac had an excellent season, especially in conference play,” said the coach.  “He had the third highest average in- Read More Via e-Edition