CL softball team records first victory of the season

[caption id="attachment_11334" align="alignleft" width="270"] Clear Lake’s Erin O’Tool beats the throw to home plate to score a run for the Lions. The team topped Newman, 9-4, for their first victory of the season. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy[/caption]

It was a big week for the Clear Lake softball team.  The Lions finally put together a complete game and notched their first victory.  They demonstrated continued better play throughout the week, but suffered four losses.

Humboldt 9, CL 4

Humboldt pitching limited Clear Lake to just five hits, but the gutsy Lions would not go down without a fight.  They rallied for four runs on the seventh inning, but came up short, 9-4.

“The girls were working hard at the bats,” said Coach Megan Young.  “We are still working toward a complete game.”

Erin O’Tool had a pair of hits and scored one run to lead the team.  Michala Ouverson and Chloe Mueller each had hits, with Mueller getting an RBI.   Kayla Ritter didn’t have a hit, but put the ball in play enough to score two RBIs.  Rachel Barillas had the Lions’ other hit.

Kiersten Baalson took the loss. She gave up 12 hits and walked three over seven innings.

CL 9, Newman 4

The Lions turned the tables on the competition the next night.  They got their first win, 9-4, over Newman Catholic.

“They finally put all of the pieces together. The girls showed command in the field and in the batters box,” said Coach Young.

The Lions amassed 12 hits in the win, led by Michaela Niles and O’Tool with three apiece.  Each girl had a double; O’Tool finished with three RBIs, while Niles had two.

Lexi Jones and Mueller each had two hits, with Mueller batting in two runs.

Tori Fyfe and Kayla Ritter each had singles and RBIs.

Reagan Brackey got the win on the mound.  She held the Knights to six hits.

Algona 4, CL 4

The Lions and Bulldogs were in a close battle Wednesday. Algona was able to score the winning run in the seventh inning, 5-4.

“The girls continue to improve and show what they are capable of.  They have a lot to be proud of, especially on senior and parents night,” said Coach Young.

The Lions have three seniors on the team this year.  First baseman Carney Frahm, designated hitter Michala Ouverson and third baseman Katie Hewett were honored before the game.

The game was close throughout, with Algona scoring first in the first inning.  Clear Lake answered with a run in the second and each team scored twice in the third.  Algona took the lead in the sixth, 4-3.  Each team put a run on the board in the final frame.

The Lions scored their runs with just six hits.  Jones and O’Tool each had two hits, with one of O’Tool’s being a double.  Fyfe and Barillas had one each.  Mueller and Baalson were credited with RBIs.

Baalson gave up seven hits in seven innings of work.  She struck out four and walked two.

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Garrigan 6, CL 5

The Lions were embattled in another one-run game the next night.  Again they came out on the short end of a 5-4 score.

Garrigan had a fast start, going up 3-0 after two innings.  Clear Lake responded with two runs in the third and three more in the fifth.  The home team tied the score in the bottom of the sixth and won with a run in the seventh.

“Once we waited and let the ball come, we had some great hits,” said Coach Young.  “It was nice to see the girls continue to fight and strive to win.  We had several successful plays that we tried out tonight.”

Frahm and Ritter had two hits apiece to lead the Lions.  Frahm also had a team-high two RBIs.  Jones, Mueller, Brackey and Macy Mixdorf had singles.

Brackey was the losing pitcher, giving up eight hits.

St. Ansgar 6, CL 4

St. Ansgar pulled out a close 6-4 win over the Lions Friday, July 3.

“We may not have won, but the girls are putting together complete games.  We still need to work on putting out the errors in the field.  We as coaches are really proud of how hard the girls are working and are excited to play in tournament time,” said Coach Young.

Confidence was running high for the Lions, as they plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning.  However, a four-run fourth gave the Saints all they needed to pick up the non-conference win.

The Lions scattered five hits in the game.  Niles, O’Tool, Mueller, Ritter and Barillas all reached base on singles. Mueller had a pair of RBIs.

Baalson gave up nine hits in the loss.  She struck out two and walked four.  Brackey pitched one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit.

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