Momentum swings to the Lions; Girls get fifth win in seven outings

Momentum is definitely swinging in Clear Lake’s direction.  The Lions softball team won four games last week, including their last three.  The team is now 10-16 overall.  They played their final game of the regular season Monday and begin tournament play Thursday, July 11, against the Lynx at Webster City.  The winner will advance to play July 13 at Huxley.

H-D 7, CL 5

CL 12, H-D 7

The Lions finished up a rain delayed game with Hampton-Dumont on Monday, losing 7-1, but were able to wipe the slate clean and get a win over the Bulldogs in the nightcap, 12-7.

The first game with H-D was stopped due to weather with the score tied  5-5 through six innings.  The Bulldogs batted first in the rematch and scored two runs in the top of the seventh.  They effectively held the Lions to get a 7-5 win.

Jenna Peterson and Carney Frahm  had three and two hits respectively for the Lions.  Annie Snyder’s one hit drove in two runs.  Michaela Ouverson and Lindsay Kearns also picked up RBIs with their one hit in the game.  Also reaching base on hits was Tori Fyfe and Kaitlyn Pitzen.

Sara Barlow was the losing pitcher, giving up 11 hits.  She struck out seven and walked one.

In the second game, the Bulldogs again hit Barlow hard, racking up 17 hits, but the Lion offense was also on fire.  They pounded out 21 hits on their way to a 12-7 victory.

“This was a great game for the girls.  They played hard and drove the ball,” said Coach Megan Young.  “They had a few bobble errors, but were able to bounce back.  We have really been working on letting mistakes go once they happen so we are ready to make the next play.”

Hampton-Dumont scored four runs in the bottom of the second inning, but as the coach said, the Lions shook off the scores.  They plated five runs in the top of the fifth, followed by two more in the fourth and fifth innings and another for good measure in the sixth.

Megan Loux was five-for-five at the plate with a double and a triple.  Annie Snyder also batted .1000 in her four appearances at the plate.  She and Jenna Peterson, who had a double, led the team in RBIs with two.  Barlow helped her cause with three hits and an RBI.  Hannah Bartlett, Kaitlyn Pitzen and Tori Fyfe each had two hits in the game.  Pitzen and Fyfe each slapped doubles.

IF-A 12, CL 0

The Lions struggled to get their offense going at Iowa Falls-Alden Tuesday, July 2.  Meanwhile the Cadets used 15 hits to score 12 runs.  They blanked the Lions, 12-0.

IF-A opened the game with two runs in the bottom of the first, then piled on six more in the third and four in the fourth for a 12-0 lead.

The Lions managed just three hits in the game.  Tori Fyfe, Kaitlyn Pitzen and Annie Snyder made contact but were stranded on base.

“We faced a tough pitcher and Iowa Falls made plays,” said Coach Young.

Barlow took the loss on the mound.  She walked two.

CL 3, ST. ED’S 2

CL 7, WEST HANCOCK 6

The Lions earned the first of two walk-off wins against sixth rated (2A) St. Ed’s Wednesday afternoon.  

In a 2:30 p.m. game in Clear Lake the Lions scored in the seventh to get a victory. Annie Snyder scored the winning run, as well as another in the game.  She, along with Jenna Peterson, Tori Fyfe and Carney Frahm had hits for the Lions.  

“This was a great game.  The girls came ready to play and battled through heat as well as delays,” said Coach Young.  “We only had four hits, we were aggressive on the bases, and came up strong on defense to take the win. The girls rebounded very well from (the IF-A game).”

Wednesday evening the Lions scored two off a double in the seventh inning for a 7-5 victory over West Hancock.  

“We had momentum flowing from the earlier game and brought the hits as well as the defense.  The girls continue to grow and show improvement throughout the season.  Their hard work and dedication are paying off,” said Coach Young.

The Lions belted 14 hits in the game, paced by Annie Snyder and Sara Barlow with three apiece.  Snyder again figured big in the win, as her double provided the winning runs.  She ended the night with three hits, two of them doubles, and four RBIs.  Barlow, who was also the winning pitcher withs even strikeouts, earned one RBI off her hits.

Jenna Peterson, Kaitlyn Pitzen and Tori Fyfe had two hits apiece for the Lions.

CL 6, EAGLE GROVE 2

Senior night was very successful for the Lions against Eagle Grove Friday, July 5.  The Lions got their fifth win in seven outings by a 6-2 score.

The Lions came out strong, scoring two in - Read More Via e-Edition