Lions can boast best record in the state

With six more wins in the past week, Clear Lake improved to 20-1 overall and 9-0 in the North Central Conference.  The top ranked team in Class 3A currently has the best record of any team in the entire state in any class. 

CL 5, Humboldt 2

The Lions earned an important win on the road June 17.  They topped a very good Humboldt team 5-2.

Mitch Keeran’s three-run homer in the first inning set the tone for the game and gave pitcher Jerry Kockler and the Lion defense all the runs they would need to get the win.  

“Jerry got himself into a couple of jams throughout the game, but really buckled down to get himself out of them with little to no damage and kept a pretty good offense from putting up any big numbers on their home field,” said Coach Seth Thompson.  “Mitch has been due to send one over the fence all year and he picked a pretty good time to make it happen.”

Gavin Sheakley and Matt Stephany each had two hits and Brock Adams smacked a double which scored two runs in the first.

Kockler struck out 10 Wildcats and surrendered just four hits.  He walked three in seven innings pitched.

CL 16, St. Ansgar 1

CL 9, St. Ansgar 2

The Lions earned a pair of non-conference wins over St. Ansgar Tuesday, June 18.  They put the hurt on the Saints, 16-1 and 9-2.

In the first game, Clear Lake broke open a two-run lead after three innings with six runs in the fourth and seven runs in the fifth.

Luke Schiller knocked in a run with each of his three singles in the opener, and then picked up the win off the mound in the nightcap, going the first six innings, striking out six in game two. Jerry Kockler gave the Lions the lead for good in the nightcap with a two-run single in the first. 

“I was pleased to see our kids not let their guard down the day after a big conference win in Humboldt,” said Coach Thompson.  “It is easy to fall asleep in non-conference games like this and let the other team sneak a win from you, especially when you are playing a doubleheader, and I thought we did a nice job of making sure that didn’t happen both on the mound and at the plate.”

The Lion offense picked up a season-high 15 hits and 16 runs in the first game and kept things going in the second game with nine hits and nine runs.  

Brandon Tofte threw the win in the first game.  He gave up seven hits and struck out two.

Parker Truesdell was brought in to relieve Schiller in the final inning of the second game.  He struck out one.

“Brandon and Luke did their jobs as starters well on the mound and it was fun to see Parker hop out there at the varsity level and pitch very well in his first varsity opportunity,” added Thompson.

CL 3, C-G 0

The Lions topped Clarion-Goldfield 3-0 Wednesday, June 19.

“This just happened to be one of those nights offensively where runs were really hard to come by, but luckily for us they were even harder to come by for the team in the other dugout,” said Coach Thompson.  “It was good for our guys to be in a competitive situation in the late innings, and I thought we did a nice job responding to the challenge Clarion gave us on this particular night.”

Pitcher Gavin Sheakley was in control on the mound the whole game.

“When you put seven zeros up on the board as a pitcher you give your team a pretty darn good chance of coming out with a win,” added Thompson.

The Lions had just five hits in the game, with two provided by Matt Stephany.  Both of Stephany’s hits were doubles.  Devin Uhlenhopp also had a double.  Also reaching base on a hit was Sheakley and Luke Schiller.

CL 13, Lake Mills 3

The Lions’ best offensive performance was needed to offset what Coach Thompson considered to be his team’s worst game defensively all year.  Clear Lake beat Lake Mills 13-3 Thursday night.

“It is nice to see runs put up in every inning, and that doesn’t happen unless hitters one to nine are all putting together good at-bats and putting pressure on the opposing pitcher and opposing defense,” added Thompson.

Pitcher Brock Adams was able to stay focused, despite errors taking place behind him.  He struck out seven and walked one while picking up the win.  The Bulldogs had just three hits off Adams.

Gavin Sheakley led the Lions’ offense attack with three hits, including a double.  Pete Swenson, Luke Schiller, Rowdy Yates and Jerry - Read More Via e-Edition