Clear Lake girls begin to roll

(Above) Clear Lake’s Macy Mixdorf slides safely into third base after a Mason City player fails to make the catch.  The Lions topped the Mohawks, 10-7.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

The Clear Lake Lions started their fourth week off with a fall, but stood strong for the rest of the week, collecting four wins.

Algona 4, CL 3

June 12 brought a heartbreaking loss for the Lion’s softball team.

Clear Lake started off strong, scoring the first two runs of the inning, but a three run homer was the deciding factor. Base running mistakes in the bottom of the seventh brought about the Lions’ demise.

“That was a tough one. We had every chance to win. I should have done some things differently in the last inning,” said Coach Austin Peterson.

Kiersten Baalson took the loss on the mound, allowing four hits and four runs, and striking out seven.

Julia Merfeld and Kayla Ritter each earned two hits, while Macy Mixdorf earned two RBIs and Ritter earned one RBI.

“The girls played great,” said Peterson.

CL 10, Mason City 7

The Lions’ luck turned around on June 13 against Mason City.

They started off with two runs in the first, but Mason City answered that with four of their own. Chipping away at the lead with 13 hits and making plays in the field, the Lions turned the tables.

“After the first couple innings, we made adjustments both at the plate and the field. The girls battled back the entire game, which is awesome to see,” Peterson said.

Baalson pitched, allowing 10 hits, seven runs, and one walk. She also struck out three.

Chloe Mueller got the most hits of the game with three and she knocked in three RBIs. Sara Faber followed closely with two hits and two RBIs, and Mixdorf and Michaela Niles each got two hits and one RBI.

CL 15, Clarion-Goldfield 1

Another win on June 14 lifted the team’s spirits even further.

Scoring eight runs in the top of the sixth allowed them to take a commanding lead. The Lions collected 15 hits.

“It was nice to see our bats come alive tonight, and for us to play well in the field,” Peterson said.

Merfeld got four hits, Mixdorf got three hits  and two RBIs,  while Niles got two hits and three RBIs, and Sara Faber and Kaylee Nosbisch each got two hits and two RBIs.

Baalson allowing six hits, one run, and three strikeouts.

“Kiersten pitched great tonight for us, and we made plays behind her,” Peterson said.

CL 12, Osage 1

CL 10, South Hardin Eldora 0

After a few days off, the Lions’ bats were still hot on June 17 against Osage in the Mason City Tournament. Collecting 16 hits and giving up only one hit in the five inning game, the team started and ended strong.

“It was nice to see our bats still going strong after a couple days off,” Peterson said.

Faber and Nosbisch each got three hits, and Rachel Barillas earned three RBIs.

Baalson pitched four innings, allowing one walk and striking out two.

Kayla Ritter also tried her hand at pitching for one inning, allowing one hit, one run, and two walks.

The second game of the tournament was just as short as the first. Thirteen hits and solid defense set the team up well for the five inning victory.

“It was nice to see us come out and win games that we should win. We played great in the field and at the plate,” Peterson said.

Merfeld, Mixdorf, and Niles each got three hits. Mueller, Mixdorf, and Niles each got two RBIs.

Baalson pitched all five innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and struck out six.