July hasn’t been kind to the 12U girls coached by Misty Voit, but after four-straight losses, they bounced back on Thursday with decisive wins over visiting Sleepy Eye, 10-3, 14-2.
Taking advantage of a leadoff walk, stolen base and RBI groundout, the Indians posted a run in the top of the first, but the Clippers directly replied with four runs and never trailed from there.
With one out, a pitch smacked Bella Baker. Blair Voit walked, and she and Baker scored on an Addison Sandhurst double. Sandhurst, who was helping out from her 14U team, crossed the plate on an Olivia Olson single. Olson stole second, advanced to third on an out-of-control pitch and scored when Victoria Ritchie reached first on a dropped third strike for a 4-1 Clipper advantage.
On a walk, steals and an RBI groundout, the Indians added a run in the second, but the Clippers filled out in the bottom of that inning.
Leading off, Kennedy Schleeve got a free pass, advanced to second on a wild pitch. Khloe McCabe drove a hit into right field, and Schleeve scored when Baker laid down a bunt single. After Voit got issued another walk to load the bases, McCabe scored on a Sandhurst ground out. Brylee Kortuem walked, and Baker swiped home. Once again, Ritchie reached first on a missed third strike, and Kortuem scored on the wild pitch to put the Clippers in front 9-2.
In the third, Schleeve walked, stole second and third and scored on a stray pitch for a 10-2 Clipper lead before the Indians scored a run in the fourth on a walk and a single.
The Clippers outhit Sleepy Eye 5-2. Sandhurst had a double and three RBIs. Olson and McCabe each had a single and one RBI. Ritchie brought in a run.
The Clippers struck out five times and walked five times. They left one runner on base.
Sandhurst tossed all four innings. She struck out 10, four looking, and walked three. The Clippers marooned four Sleepy Eye runners on base.
Cleveland 14, Sleepy Eye 2
McCabe led off game two with a walk. She scored when Voit hit a line drive to left field and zipped around the basepaths for an in-the-park homer. Sandhurst and Olson walked, and Kortuem hit an RBI double. Ritchie walked, and Olson scored on a Charlie Gair single to put the Clippers in front 4-0 early.
They added five more runs in the second after Baker and Voit walked, Sandhurst singled to load the bases. Baker scored on a Ritchie ground out. After Kortuem walked, the Clippers got aggressive on the bases with Voit and Sandhurst stealing home.
For the third time in the series, Ritchie reached first on a dropped third strike. Kortuem scored on the play while Ritchie crossed the plate on a Scheeve double to put the Clippers in front 9-0.
Not letting off the throttle, the Clippers filled out again in the third inning. McCabe led of with a triple and scored on a a Baker single, that, with errors on the play, set her up on third. Voit singled to score Baker and stole her way home. Sandhurst walked, and, after Olson singled and Kortuem got hit by a pitch, Sandhurst scored on a Richie base hit, and the Clippers were way in front, 14 to zip.
On a single, a double and a steal of home, the Indians scored two runs in the third.
The Clippers outhit the Indians 10-5, and the entire lineup had at least one hit. Voit had two: a homer and a single. She also brought in three runs and scored three runs. Ritchie had a single and brought in two runs. Kortuem and Schleeve each had a double and one RBI. Olson, and Gair each had a single and one RBI. McCabe had a triple. Baker and Sandhurst each had singles.
The Clippers struck out three times and took advantage of nine walks and one hit batter. They left three on base.
Voit threw all three innings. She struck out five, walked none. The Clipper defense stranded two runners.
The 10-11 Clippers start end-of-season tournament play tomorrow (Saturday) with a 12:30 game in Rochester.
Above: Shortstop Khloe McCabe fields a throw during a steal.
