Clear Lake girls split NCC games

(Above) Clear Lake’s Erin O’Tool rounds a base during a wet, rain-shortened game against Clarion-Goldfield on Friday, June 3.  The Lions topped the Cowboys, 9-1. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake girls split games played with North Central Conference opponents last week and stepped outside the league for a hard-fought match with eighth ranked (2A) Central Springs.  The Lions are 2-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

IF-A 6, CL 4

The Clear Lake Lions softball team traveled to Iowa Falls for their second conference game of the year, and the game was an exciting one.  Iowa Falls opened the game up early, scoring two runs in the first inning and three runs in the second to take a 5-0 lead through two.  The Cadets gained one more run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-0 lead heading into the seventh inning.

The Lions rallied in the top half of the seventh inning, scoring two runs right away, but the game got real exciting when Macy Mixdorf hit her first career home run to make the score 6-4.

The Lions ultimately left two runners on base, as they fell, 6-4.

Mixdorf went two-for-four with a two-run home run. Sara Faber was two-for-three with two RBIs.

“We struggled at the start of the game, which is understandable coming off a long weekend, but we were able to settle down for the rest of the game,” said Coach Austin Peterson.  “We talked as a team on how we can’t give up free runs to good teams like Iowa Falls.”

Kiersten Baalson suffered the loss on the mound.  The junior struck out five and gave up 12 hits in six innings pitched.

“Kiersten through great, but we did not back her up in the field,” said Coach Peterson.  “It was nice to see the girls not give up.  We had some things that did not go our way, but we were able to battle through it and give us a chance to tie or win the game.”

Central Springs 11, CL 6

The Lions opened  up at home against undefeated and sixth ranked (2A) Central Springs.  Ten error contributed to an 11-6 loss to the Panthers.

Errors resulted in Central Springs scoring three runs in the first, two in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings.

Down 9-0,  the Lions again tried to make a comeback.  After scoring one run in the fifth, they exploded for five in the sixth, trimming the score to 11-6.  Unfortunately the rally stalled and the score stayed 11-6.

“Central Springs is a great team.  It was nice to see our team keep fighting throughout the whole game and never giving up,” said Coach Peterson.  “We need to work on our fielding.  We can’t have that many errors in a game and expect to win.”

Reagan Brackey was the losing pitcher, giving up 11 runs, five of them earned.  She walked four and Central Springs recorded 20 hits.

“I felt Reagan pitched well for us to win, but we did not back her up in the field,” said Coach Peterson.

Macy Mixdorf was two-for-four at the plate with two RBIs.  Rachel Barillas and Sara Faber had two hits apiece, with Faber also getting two RBIs. Rachel Niemi had a hit which scored two runs.

CL 9, C-G 1

The Lions packed a lot of scoring into a rain-shortened game with Clarion-Goldfield Friday, June 3.  The Lions were leading 9-1 when the game was called in the fifth inning because of rain.

Kiersten Baalson pitched a great game, giving up three hits and one run through five.  The only run was scored on a strikeout that got to the back stop. Balloon walked one and struck out one.

Aside from the first inning, the Lions scored in every inning.  They plated one run in the first, then three in the third and fourth and two more in the fifth.

“It was great to see our bats going.  We put the ball in play and did a great job of base running,” said Coach Austin Peterson.

Julia Merfeld, Chloe Mueller and Erin O’Tool each went two-for-three at bat.  Mueller picked up two RBIs, while O’Tool accounted for one.  Mueller and Rachel Niemi each stroked doubles.

The Lions defense looked sharp in the win, committing only one error.

Balloon was the winning pitcher.  She gave up three hits, walked one and struck out one in five innings.

“Kiersten really threw well,” said Coach Austin Peterson.  “She did a great job of working ahead in the count.  She worked low and allowed her defense to play behind her.  Most of all I am proud of our girls not letting the weather affect them.  They did a great job of staying focused and it showed.”