Coming back from a 2-1 deficit, host Granada-Huntley-East Chain/Truman/Martin Luther took advantage of two hits and two errors to post three runs in the fifth en route to a 4-2 victory in Truman on Thursday.
While the Clippers suffered four errors compared to only one by the Jags, they were outhit 6-4. They also grounded into two double plays.
“I think we hit the ball pretty hard throughout the game, but credit to them as they made the plays when they needed too,” said head coach Walker Froehling. "We just need to keep cleaning up some of the little things throughout the season and by year's end we'll be in a good spot."
Coming off a win in Hayfield on Tuesday, where they broke a 2-2 tie in the ninth with five runs, and an easy 12-0 victory at Nicollet week before that, the Clippers were front of the Jaguars 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth when the Jaguars led off with a single and followed it with a double to put two runners in scoring position.
The next batter grounded into the infield, and the runner on third got into a pickle, escaped it and scored. With still two runners in scoring position, the next batter grounded out for an RBI. The next batter hit into an infield error, and the runner on third scored on the play to put the Jags in front 4-2.
After a single and a walk, Jaguars loaded the bases again. A force out at third got the Clipper out of the jam, but, as neither team scored again, the Jaguars did enough damage to earn the win.
The Clippers got on the board in the first when Miles Tomaszewski walked, advanced to second on a Caleb Connor single, stole third and scored when Braeden Smith hit into an infield error.
Taking advantage of three-straight walks after two outs and then scoring on an infield error, the Jaguars stalemated the game 1-1 in the third. The Clippers responded in the fourth when Smith got a free pass and scored from first when Kiptyn Coon airmailed a pitch over the center fielder’s head.
Starting pitcher Carson Lyons gave up a single and a pair of walks in the fourth, but Jack Mons took over and whiffed the next two batters to get the Clippers out of the frame unscathed before the Jaguars took the lead in the fifth.
In three and a third innings, Lyons gave up three hits and five walks while striking out four. Mons allowed three hits, one walk and two earned runs. He struck out five.
Coon, Tomaszewski, Connor and Nolan Schlaak each hit a single. The Clippers walked three times and struck out four times.
Cleveland 7, Hayfield 2
With runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth, Hayfield had a chance to win, but Tony Hollerich made a game-saving catch near the left field line to send the game into another extra inning.
The Vikings melted down from there with Alex Kortuem and Coon reaching base on infield errors. Schlaak walked as did Mons to put the Clippers in front 3-2. Hollerich singled to score Coon, and Lyons walked to bring in another run before Tomaszewski hit a grounder to left field for two RBIs and a 7-2 Clipper lead.
Tomaszewski gave up a walk in the bottom of the ninth but, after a flyout and a ground out, he whiffed the next batter to put a punctation mark on the win.
The Clippers took a 2-0 lead in the first when Tomaszewski hit into an outfield error, advanced when Connor and Kortuem were issued free passes and scored on a Smith sacrifice fly. Connor scored on an error.
Hayfield knotted the game 2-2 in the second on a single, and RBI double. After a wild pitch, the runners scored on a sacrifice bunt.
Each team had five hits. Hayfield committed four errors, three more than the Clippers.
Connor had a double while Tomaszewski, Smith, Hollerich and Schlaak each had a single. The Clippers walked seven times and struck out seven times.
Kortuem started out on the mound. In his three innings, he allowed four hits, one walk and two earned runs while striking out six. Tomaszewski threw the last six inning for the W. He gave up one hit and two walks while striking out eight and stranding six runners.
Cleveland 12, Nicollet 0
The Raiders are extremely young this year but at least are rebuilding after not having a varsity team at all last season.
The Clippers scored seven runs in the second and five more in the third. The Raiders suffered five errors. The Clippers were errorless.
The Clippers had four hits and eight walks. Tomaszewski and Connor each hit a double. Lyons and Kortuem each hit a single.
Kortuem started on the hill. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out three. Tomaszewski took over in the third and struck out all three batters he faced. Mons threw the fourth and fifth innings. He also did not allow a hit and gave up one walk while striking out three.
Weather put a stop to Friday’s game against host Le Sueur-Henderson. The Clippers are back in action tomorrow (Monday) when they travel to Wanamingo.
Above: GHEC/T/ML kept traffic moving on the basepaths. Here, second baseman Brayden Seeman sets up to grab a throw during a steal.
Carson Lyons started on the hill in Truman.
Brayden Smith was off with the pitch and scored when Kiptyn Coon sent a hit deep into center field for a 2-1 Clipper lead over the Jaguars.
Shortstop Alex Kortuem reaches for a putout throw to second.
The Clippers had a runner trapped between third and home, but a missed throw back to first allowed him to score. Here, Caleb Connor chases the runner back.
Tony Hollerich makes a grab from his spot in left field at Truman.