Girls drop Regional opener

Hampton-Dumont ended the season Friday for the Clear Lake girls softball team.  The Bulldogs handled the Lions, 4-0, to win their opening game of Regional competition.  The Lions ended the 2011 campaign with a record of 9-22 under Coach Nicki Petersburg.
 

   
IF-A 9, CL 1
    The Lions’ Rea Faber led off the game with a double, but Clear Lake could only manage five additional hits against Iowa Falls-Alden Tuesday, July 5.  The Cadets won the game, 9-1.
    Errors also played a significant part in the loss, according to Coach Petersburg.  “I have to give credit to Iowa Falls, because they didn’t have any defensive errors and pounded out 12 hits. Taylor (Diehl) had a slow start on the mound and we didn’t bring the defense to back her up.”
    Diehl struck out five and walked two in the loss.  Just two of the Cadets’ nine runs were earned.
    In addition to Faber’s double, hits were recorded by Diehl, Megan Loux, Jenna Peterson, Ryan Pierce and Emma Schiller.

C-G 11, CL 7
    Clarion-Goldfield came ready to play and spoiled Clear Lake’s Senior Night with an 11-7 victory Wednesday, July 6.
    “Clarion played with heart and dedication, a true battle and earned a win,” said Coach Petersburg.  “We only had one error, however they had 14 hits, four of which were doubles.”
    The Cowgirls touched starter Taylor Diehl for nine hits in five and one-third innings.  Diehl struck out three and walked two.  Sara Barlow got the final five outs and gave up five hits. 
    The Lions mounted a rally in the sixth inning, with the bottom of the line-up coming through with three hits and three runs.  However, Clarion responded to the challenge and got two more on their way to the four-run win.
    Kaitlyn Pitzen was the only Lion with multiple hits.  The sophomore had two singles and scored one run for her team.
    Seniors Taylor Diehl, Rea Faber and Emma Schiller all had hits, as did sophomores Megan Loux, Annie Snyder and Barlow.  Schiller finished with two RBI.  Faber and Jenna Peterson each had one RBI.

H-D 4, CL 0
    They say the hardest thing to do is beat a team three times.  That’s what Clear Lake was hoping for and what Hampton-Dumont feared in the opening round of the Regional Tournament Saturday, July 9.
    “They had beaten us twice before, but really those games would’ve been better had we not had so many errors and we have improved tremendously defensively,” said Coach Petersburg.  “I really thought if we could keep our errors to a minimum and get our bats going, two things we are very capable of, we could steal a win from them.”
    Unfortunately, the Lions only recorded two