Down by only two against visiting Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial on Thursday, the Clipper varsity boys were still in the game going into the fifth inning, but the Knights turned up the heat after that and ran away with a 15-6 triumph.
The Clippers, although improving each outing, are still looking for a 2023 victory.
“We were in the game,” said head coach Mike Krenik. “Unfortunately, we had arm problems with (starting pitcher) Blake (Lyons). The two pitchers (Kale Kelley and Kyle Connor) came in and threw strikes, but unfortunately, we couldn’t make the plays.”
The Knights scored two runs in the first on a single, a walk, an RBI single and an RBI groundout. In the second, the lead-off batter walked stole second, moved to third when the ball got passed the catcher and scored on a ground out for a 3-0 advantage.
The Clippers posted a run in the second when Tanyon Hoheisel led of with a walk, moved to second when Jack Voit bunted an 0-2 pitch and made it to first safely. Hoheisel swiped third and scored on the play on an error by the pitcher.
“We were able to put the ball in play a little more, and fun things happen when you are on base,” Krenik said.
The Knights scored three more runs in the third on a single, a fielder’s choice, a triple and another single to lead 7-1, but the Clippers got a couple of breaks and a couple of hits to narrow their deficit.
With back-to-back shortstop errors, Connor and Nathan Seeman were on board in the third. Both advanced on a Gabe Sullivan ground out, and Hoheisel walked to saturate the bases.
But Voit came through again, when, on a 1-2 pitch, he reached up for a hit that found a chunk of vacant land in center field, scoring Connor and Seeman. Hoheisel, on third, got a free pass when the pitcher balked.
Lyons walked and scored on a Connor double in the fourth, and the Clippers were within striking distance, 7-5, but that was as close as they would get as the Knights rallied for five runs in the fifth, one run in the sixth and one more run in the seventh.
“Lake Crystal hit the ball well,” Krenik said. “They have good hitting mechanics, but we have to have pitchers to hit locations.”
The Clippers managed one more run in the last frame when Connor led off the seventh with a walk. After Seeman walked and Sullivan got hit by a pitch, Connor scored on a Voit ground out.
The Clippers fanned 14 times, walked six times and collected five hits, half as many as the Knights. Voit and Connor each had two hits, Seeman had one hit.
Krenik said overall, his team needs to lay down a bunt when the situation calls for one.
“If you don’t make those common ‘baseball plays,’ you’re not going to put yourself in a winning situation.”
Lyons started on the mound and lasted three innings, allowing six hits and six runs while striking out one and walking one. Kelley and Connor entered the game from the bullpen, throwing three innings and one inning respectively. Kelley gave up four hits, walked four and struck out four. Connor didn’t allow a hit and walked one and struck out one.
With seven errors, the Clipper defense was on vacation. Committing four errors, the Knights weren’t stellar in the field either.
The Clippers will hit the road for a rematch against Madelia on Tuesday.
Above: Shortstop Kyle Connor and second baseman Nathan Seeman cover second on a steal.
Kale Kelley took over the hill when Blake Lyons was suffering an injured arm.
Kyle Connor threw the last inning. (photo courtesy of Patty Sullivan)