Clear Lake softball team drops six games

The Clear Lake girls came out on the short end of six games in the past week, falling to 2-23.  This week the team was scheduled to wrap up the regular season by hosting Webster City on Monday, July 2.  They begin the post-season Thursday, July 5, with Regional play at Charles City. The Lions will face Decorah in a 7 p.m. game.

H-D 8, CL 1
    Hampton-Dumont broke open a 4-1 game in the sixth inning with a string of hits which produced two runs in the sixth and seventh for an 8-1 win.
    “We had several excellent defensive plays, several girls diving for catches or stops.  Despite our eight hits, we just couldn’t get our runners around,” said Coach Nicki Petersburg.

    Megan Loux was the offensive highlight for the Lions, collecting three hits, including a triple. Sara Barlow, Hannah Bartlett, Erin O’Tool, Jenna Peterson and Kaitlyn Pitzen all had singles. 
    First baseman Jenna Peterson echoed the coach’s praise for the Lion defense, especially Pitzen in the outfield.
    “We all had a good defensive night.  Especially Pit, she was really feeling it.”
    The Bulldogs had 11 hits off Sara Barlow.  The junior struck out six and walked two.

Newman 9, CL 7
    “We got in the pitcher’s head.  We were loud and positive the whole time,” said Hannah Bartlett after the Lions nearly upset Class 1A power Newman Catholic Tuesday, June 26.  The Lions threated with one run in the seventh, but fell 9-7.
    “Hannah’s right.  We were ‘up’ the whole game and it reflected in our offensive output,” said Coach Petersburg.  “We had 12 hits and six runs against a solid team.  Tonight just proves that we have the ability to play with anyone on any given night.”
    Clear Lake’s hits were provided by eight different players.  Jenna Peterson led the way with three hits, including a double.  Carney Frahm and Kaitlyn Pitzen had two hits apiece.  Like Peterson, they each had a double.  Frahm ended the night with three RBI and Peterson had two.  Ryan Pierce picked up the sixth RBI. 
    Clear Lake’s big inning was the third, when they scored five runs to take the lead, 6-2.  Newman added three in each of the next two innings, then got an insurance run in the seventh. 
    Newman scored its runs with 10 hits off Sara Barlow.  She walked eight and struck out one.
    “Coach K and I were very pleased with the whole game, especially that we played with intensity throughout a close game,” added Coach Petersburg.  “Good things will come if we continue to play like this.”

IF-A 17, CL 3 (3)
    Iowa Falls is battling for the top spot in the North Central Conference and they played like it against the Lions Wednesday, June 27.  The Cadets dominated in a 17-3 game.
    “It’s hard to score a lot of runs on a pitcher and defense that are so dominant,” said Coach Petersburg.  “We managed to get runners on though; we just couldn’t bring them in.”
    The Lions had five hits in the game, with two provided by Megan Loux and two from the bat of Kaitlyn Pitzen.   Pitzen and- Read More Via e-Edition