A season worth celebrating

The Clear Lake softball team may have ended their season at least one game earlier than they had hoped, but the team provided some thrilling wins down the stretch.  After recording a 1-23 record a year ago, the girls worked hard all season and showed steady improvement.  This year the Lions earned their first wins in tournament play since 2010.

They opened 2016 post-season play by knocking off 13th ranked Crestwood, then avenged a 10-0 loss earlier in the season to Osage to advance to the Regional final Monday night.  Estherville-Lincoln Central stopped the Lions, 6-2, in a rain-shortened game to move on to the State Tournament.  Clear Lake finished the season with an 11-18 record.

(Pictured Above) Pitcher Kiersten Baalson is rushed by catcher Erin O’Tool, shortstop Julia Merfeld, first baseman Kayla Ritter and third baseman Tori Fyfe after she recorded a strikeout to get the win over Osage in the Regional semi-final. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.