Edged at home to perennial power New Ulm Cathedral 6-5 in a season-opening see-saw battle last Monday followed a one-bad-inning 7-3 loss to host Mankato Loyola a day later, the varsity Clipper boys— with a new head coach and four freshmen starting—are still trying to find their sea legs.
“The first game you always want to win,” said Walker Froehling, who took over for Charlie Haugen this year. “You play the team that took second in the state last year, and you always want to win. But I think just knowing that you can play with them just helps. It’s early in the season.”
Trailing Cathedral 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth, freshman Tony Hollerich walked, and Miles Tomaszewski blasted a two-run homer to put the Clippers in front. But the Greyhounds took advantage of a couple of walks and a Clipper infield error with two outs and a score on a double steal to take the lead.
The Greyhounds added a run in the seventh on a hit batter and a pair of singles to lead 6-4. The Clippers were a hit away from tying the game in the bottom of the seventh when Hollerich hit a one out single and, with an outfield error on the play, advanced to third. With two outs, Tomaszewski drove a line drive to center field for the RBI. Caleb Connor followed up with a ground ball to left field putting Tomaszewski in scoring position, but the game ended on a fly out.
“We put up a good battle down to the last inning and gave ourselves a chance to win,” said Froehling.
With a pair of singles and a two-RBI double, the Greyhounds took a 2-0 lead in the second. The Clippers responded in the bottom of the same inning when Braeden Smith sent a line drive into center field, stole second and scored on a freshman Nolan Schlaak single.
Cathedral went in front 3-1 in the third on a walk followed by a single where both runners advanced on the throw and the run scoring on a wild pitch. The Clippers pulled back within a run in the bottom of the third when Hollerich led off with a double and scored on a Connor double.
The Clippers outhit the Greyhounds 8-6. Tomaszewski pounded a single and a home for three RBIs. Connor had a single and a double and one RBI. Hollerich had a single and a double. Smith and Schlaak each had a single.
“Tony Hollerich got on base three times and played really well,” Froehling said.
They struck out 10 times, walked once and stranded five on base.
Alex Kortuem threw the first three innings. He allowed four hits and three walks for three earned runs while striking out four and leaving four on base. Tomaszewski threw the remaining four innings. He gave up two hits and four walks for one earned run while striking out four and stranding three on base. The Clippers committed three errors, one more than Cathedral.
“Miles and Alex threw really well for us today, enough to win, but they know there’s room for improvement,” Froehling said. “Our defense made great plays, which, the first game of the year, you don’t always see.
From his spot behind the plate, Connor tossed out one runner stealing and snared another runner trying to take an extra base.
“I told Caleb to just let it fly,” Froehling said. “He’s a great catcher.”
In the field, Carson Lyons was at shortstop. Tomaszewski started at first. In a three-way swap, freshman Jake Mueller moved over from second when Tomaszewski went on the mound while Kortuem went to second. Kiptyn Coon played third. Hollerich was in left field, Smith in center and freshman Jack Mons in right. Schlaak was the designated hitter. Freshman Urijah Hoheisel pinch hit in the seventh.
Mankato Loyola 7, Cleveland 3
Against Loyola at ISG Field, the Crusaders capitalized on three singles, four walks and a balk for six runs in the bottom of the second for a 6-0 lead.
“We had to get six outs,” Froehling said.
The Clippers only gave up one more run, which came in the fifth after three-straight walks and a steal of home.
The rest of the game was all Clippers. They scored two runs in the sixth. With one out, Kortuem singled, advanced to third when Smith hit into an error and scored on a balk. Smith scored on a Coon single. They added another run in the seventh when Lyons led off with a double, advanced to third on the throw and scored on a Tomaszewski ground out.
The Clippers totaled seven hits, just one less than the Loyola. Coon and Kortuem each had two singles, Lyons and Hollerich each had two doubles, and Mons had a single. They struck out five times, walked twice and left seven on base.
Smith pitched the first inning and two thirds. He allowed three hits, walked five for three earned runs while striking out four and leaving two on base. Lyons threw for two and two thirds innings. He gave up four hits and three walks for one earned run while striking out two and leaving five on base. Connor took over the mound with two outs in the sixth. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out none and leaving one on base.
Each team suffered two errors.
Schlaak set up behind the plate when Connor took the mound. Brayden Seeman started at second. Lyons was the center fielder when Smith was pitching.
Monday’s game against Madelia was postponed. The Clippers look to put a mark in their win column today (Tuesday) when they travel to Nicollet to face a young Raider team. Last year, Nicollet didn’t have enough for a varsity team.
Above: Third baseman Kiptyn Coon tags a Loyola runner.