Clear Lake baseball team goes 2-1 in opening week

The Clear Lake baseball team started its season off with a bang last week, hosting Class 1A number one ranked and defending state champion Newman Catholic, a highly regarded New Hampton team, and then playing in Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.  The Lions, who were also top ranked in Class 2A and are defending state champs, went 2-1 in their first week.

This week the Lions were scheduled to be at North Union Tuesday, May 31, and at Iowa Falls-Alden Wednesday, June 1.  They will be at home Thursday and Friday to play Central Springs and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows.

Newman 3, CL 2

The stands were packed as two teams ranked number one in their respective pre-season polls played their first game of the season Tuesday, May 24.  Clear Lake hosted Newman Catholic in a hard-fought battle defending state champions.  In the end, the Knights took advantage of a few key Lion miscues and came away with a 3-2 victory.

“It was an good game that unfortunately ended up being a little more exciting for Newman.,” said Clear Lake Coach Seth Thompson. “We found ourselves in a couple situations on the bases where we tried to be aggressive and put pressure on them and they made a couple really nice plays to get some big outs.”

The Lions  jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Newman tied the game in the fifth when Newman freshman Evan Paulus tied the game with a two-out two-run single.  The Knights then took the lead for good in the top of the sixth, when courtesy runner Jace Leini

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nger scored on a passed ball.

The Lions tested the Knight outfielders in the bottom of the sixth, but they rose to the occasion and threw out pinch runner Ben Finn at third and later Parker Truesdell at home plate.  Tanner Huey had provided the spark with a long ball in the gap in centerfield.

“Early in the season it is nice to play good teams to see where you are at and what you need to work on, so even though we didn’t get this win, being in games like this helps a team takes the steps it needs to take to improve,” said Coach Thompson.

Designated hitter Jacob Peterson had a pair of hits and an RBI to lead the Lions.  Ethan McHenry and Huey each had doubles.

Ben Mason got the start and threw five and two-thirds innings.  He gave up five hits, walked four and struck out seven before being pulled from action after he was hit by a ball.  McHenry threw one and one-third innings, walking two and striking out two.

Paulus picked up the complete-game win for the Knights, striking out nine.

CL 15, New Hampton 13

One night after a defensive battle, the Lions were part of an offensive barrage against New Hampton.  Clear Lake used five runs in the bottom of the sixth to win, 15-13.

“We have come to expect really good and close games over the years and tonight was no different.  They are a really good team and one of the best teams in our class in the entire state and swung the bats very well, especially for being so early in the season,” said Coach Thompson.  “Our defense was not sharp, but it is hard to say how impressive the heart our kids showed by clawing out of an early 7-0 hole to get a huge win 15-13.”

After the Chickasaws jumped to a 70 lead in the top of the second, the Lions roared back with four in the third.  From there, the game went back and forth, and both teams were having a tough time throwing strikes.

Jacob Peterson started on the mound for the lions, but was lifted after giving up five hits, two of them earned, and seven runs in one and two-thirds innings.  Sophomore Jackson Hamlin was touched for five runs on four hits in two and one-third innings.  Brad Burns was on the bump for one ad one-third innings.  The senior gave up two hits and one run.

Cooper Merrill was able to shut the visitor down in the sixth and seventh innings by striking out four and walking one.

“Cooper did a great job at the end of coming in to close things out and get the key outs his team needed for the win.   We got great at bats up and down our lineup, which is what you have to have if you want to put 15 runs on the board,” said Thompson.

David Vohs led the Lions’ at bat with three hits and an RBI.  He scored twice.  Merrill and Zach Lester had two hits apiece, each with a double.  Parker Truesdell also had two hits in the win.

CL 10, Sioux City North 3

The Lions stepped out of North Iowa for a chance to play a good Sioux City North team in Riverfront Stadium Friday, May 27.   They again showed the ability to come back and went on to in, 10-3.

“It was awesome to see some young kids get a chance to step up and get some varsity experience against a good team in Sioux City North on a field in Riverfront Stadium that is a ton of fun to play on,” said Coach Thompson.  “I couldn’t have been more impressed with the resolve these kids showed again after being down to a good team early and coming back to not just take the lead but take a commanding lead by constantly applying pressure to their defense.”

  Cooper Merrill, David Vohs and Zach Lester had some big at bats for their team and Parker Truesdell did a great job stepping in at the end to pitch and looked very sharp, according to the coach.

Merrill led the way with three hits, including a triple, with two RBIs and a stolen base.  Voss had two hits, including a double, and three RBIs.  Lester also had a pair of hits, one a double, scoring two runs.

Ethan McHenry was the winning pitcher. The senior threw three innings, giving up three hits, walking three and striking out two.  Truesdell was in for two innings and struck out two.  Merrill also was on the mound two innings.  He walked three and struck out two.

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