New Hampton 7, CL 2
The Clear Lake boys dropped a pair of five-inning non-conference
games with New Hampton Tuesday, July 10.
In the first game, the Lions were hurt by three errors and were
defeated by a score of 7-2.
"New Hampton played very well by committing no errors defensively
and getting timely hitting. Our guys did not play to the level
that they are capable of playing," said Clear Lake Coach
Jim Pitt.
The Lions were held to just three hits, delivered by Houston
Webb, Justin Uhlenhopp and Cory Thorpe. Webb scored after reaching
base on a double. Uhlenhopp brought him home with a triple and
later scored.
"New Hampton's pitched had us off balance and guessing
all game. They deserved to win that game because they wanted
it more than we did," added Coach Pitt.
Zane Zirbel (4-3) suffered the loss on the mound. The senior
gave up four hits, three runs, three earned and walked one.
He struck out four in two innings pitched.
The Chickasaws scored their seven runs on five hits and had
no errors.

New Hampton 2, CL 1
Second verse, same as the first.
It was more of the same in the second game between the Chickasaws
and Lions. New Hampton prevailed, 2-1.
"Our bats were silent again and we couldn't muster any
offense. New Hampton's pitcher stifled us again and we couldn't
solve him all game. For the two games combined our four through
nine hitters combined to go one for 20. You're not going to win
a ball game with that kind of stat."
The Lions were able to muster just three hits in the contest.

Justin Uhlenhopp (4-3) took the loss for the Lions. He pitched
three innings, giving up four hits and two runs, one earned.
He struck out one and walked one.

Forest City 13, CL 9
Forest City jumped to an early lead and never looked back in
their non-conference meeting with the Lions Wednesday, July 11.
The Indians posted a 13-9 victory.
The Lions pounded out 11 hits, lead by Justin Uhlenhopp and
Bryce Lobdell, with a pair apiece. Uhlenhopp had a double and
triple, giving him two RBI. Lobdell also had a double.
Houston Webb scored three runs for the Lions. He reached base
on a hit, walk and when hit by a pitch. Cory Thorpe scored twice
and had a RBI, reaching base twice on walks and when hit by a
pitch. He also stole a base. David Frampton scored one run.
He got on base with a double and two walks and was credited
with an RBI.
In six innings of work Bryce Lobdell gave up eight runs, all
earned, on eight hits. He struck out two and walked two. Jake
Kolker took the loss for the Lions. He surrendered four hits,
giving the Indians five earned runs in one inning. He struck
out two and walked two. His record went to 1-1.
"Forest City hit the ball very well tonight," commented
Clear Lake Coach Jim Pitt. "They took advantage of our
pitchers elevating the ball in the strike zone. As hitters,
it's much easier to hit a ball waste high than down around the
knees. Give Forest City credit, they were excited to win that
game and it showed by their energy."
The Indians did not commit any errors in the game, while the
Lions were guilty of three.
Clear Lake ended the regular season with a record of 17-12 overall
and 11-7 in the North Central Conference.

Clear Lake girls end regular
season with close battles

The Clear Lake girls ended
the regular season with a pair of competitive games. The Lions
finished the regular season with an overall record of 10-19.
They were 6-12 in the North Central Conference to place seventh
in the league.
Post season play began for Clear Lake Tuesday, July 17, against
Hampton-Dumont. Results from the game were not available at
press time.

Waverly-Shell Rock 10, CL
8
Clear Lake headed to Waverly to begin their last week of regular
season play on Monday, July 9. The Lions out-hit Waverly 12
to 10, but four errors cost them the game as they fell 10-8.
"Errors have been our problem all season," said Coach
Chelsea Turner. "Even when we win, we have two or three
errors."
Senior Amanda Kockler led the Lions with three hits, including
a double. Allison Schaefer and Sydney Burtness had two hits
apiece. Kara Mathis added a two run triple that tied the game
in the third inning. The Lions had a chance to take the game
in the fourth inning, with the bases loaded Waverly switched
pitchers and ended the threat.
The game was all tied up until the bottom of the fifth inning
when Waverly scored two unearned runs.
"It would have been nice to get this win, it's been a really
long time since we've won," said Coach Turner. "But
at least we battled and hit the ball really hard tonight."

CL 2, Newman, 0
Tuesday, July 10 the Lions continued on the road at Mason City
Newman. The Lions picked up the 2-0 win against the county rivalry.
Junior Torrie Hansen was three for three knocking in Sydney
Burtness for the first Lion run. Alex Hayes scored the other
Lions run with two hits herself.
Senior pitcher Kaitlyn Zenner had a great night at the mound
giving up only three hits and striking three out.
"The best thing about Zenner's pitching tonight was that
she only had one walk and that is something she's been working
hard on," said Coach Turner.
In the third inning the Knights loaded up the bases on a hit
and two Lion errors, but the girls got out of the jam and ended
the inning allowing no scorers for Newman.
"The best part about the win was we got out of a jam on
defense," said Coach Turner. "That has been our weak
spot all year long."

Mason City 5, CL 2
In the final game of the regular season, the Lions came up just
short against county rival Mason City.
Coach Chelsea Turner commends her team for the work they've
done during the final part of the season.
"In our last three game we have improved so much and look
to be heading into the post season on a good note. We may not
have won tonight, but we continued to improve and limit our errors
and giving the team runs."
The Mohawks scored first with one run in the fourth inning,
but the Lions answered in the top of the fifth inning. Macey
Hansen reached base by getting hit by a pitch, then Alex Hayes
reached on a fielder's hoice and Breanne Mumm followed with a
base hit. Hansen and pinch runner Rea Faber were knocked in
on a two RBI single by Amanda Kockler.
Only three Lions recorded hits on the night, two by Breanne
Mumm and one each by Kockler and Torrie Hansen.
"Offensively we struggled tonight, but you're going to
have games in the post season where you only have four or five
hits and you need to win the game with your defense. Tonight
we just didn't get the job done."