Lions climb up the ranks now ranked #1 in Class 3A

The Clear Lake baseball team climbed to number one in the Class 3A ranking this week.  The Lions improved to 14-1 and are a perfect 6-0 in the North Central Conference with three more victories last week.  Two of Clear Lake’s three wins during the week were against NCC foes, including previous co-leader Iowa Falls-Alden.  The Lions are now the only undefeated team left in the conference and have the best winning percentage and the best team ERA of any team in Class 3A.

CL 10, C-G 0

Jerry Kockler pitched a gem and the Lions shut out Clarion-Goldfield 10-0 Monday, June 10.  Kockler limited the Cowboys to just two hits and struck out nine in the conference game.  

“Jerry did a nice job of putting zeros up on the scoreboard and we had a pretty balanced attack offensively to get a big conference win,” said Coach Seth Thompson.  “Our defense extended its streak of scoreless innings to 22 innings, which isn’t possible without a combination of great pitching and defense.  Four shutouts in a row is a pretty amazing feat and it is fun to see our kids take pride in their defense.”

Clear Lake’s offense produced 10 hits, led by Gavin Sheakley, Brock Adams, Mitch Keeran and Kockler with two apiece.  One of Keeran’s hits was a double, giving him a pair of RBIs.  Adams also was credited with two RBIs.  Luke Schiller had one hit that scored three and Matt Stephany had one hit and RBI.

CL 6, WEST FORK 1

The Lions started and ended their non-conference matchup with West Fork strong, but had some lapses in the middle.  Thanks to three runs in the sixth, Clear Lake posted a 6-1 victory.

Coach Seth Thompson was impressed with sophomore pitcher Brandon Tofte, who earned the win, giving up six hits and striking out seven.  He walked one.

“Brandon is proving to be a pretty reliable pitcher for us.  It is tough to be in the spot he is – behind some pretty amazing seniors and not getting consistent innings – but when his name is called he has been outstanding,” said the coach.  “With the stuff he has, he would be a number one or two guy in most teams’ rotations, so to have an arm like that in our rotation gives us depth that not many teams in the state have.  He has a great attitude and a bright future ahead of him.”

The Lions scored three runs in the first, then sat idle until the bottom of the sixth when they put three more runs on the board.  The Warhawks scored one in the top of the sixth to put pressure on the Lions.  Thompson pulled Tofte and put Brock Adams on the mound for the final one and one-third innings and he shut the door on West Fork, allowing no hits and position a pair of strikeouts.

“Our offense tonight fell asleep in the middle of the game, but luckily was awake long enough to get enough runs for a win,” said Thompson.

Clean-up hitter Pete Swenson had two of Clear Lake’s six hits and both were doubles.  He picked up one RBI.  The top three hitters in the order, Gavin Sheakley, Matt Stephany and Brock Adams, had one hit apiece. Stephany’s was a double.  Rowdy Yates also reached base on a single.

CL 5, IF-A 3

The Lions found themselves behind on the scoreboard for the first time this season in 12 games, but quickly responded and topped Iowa Falls-Alden 5-3 Friday, June 14.

The Cadets, who entered the game as co-leader of the conference, opened the game by putting one run on the scoreboard in the top of the first.  However, the Lions proved they wanted to be alone atop the NCC standings.  They scored four in the bottom of the first and another in the second to hold a 5-1 lead through - Read More Via e-Edition