Lions edged 6-4 by Mediapolis

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 6/8/22

The Lions put up three runs in the sixth inning to pull within striking distance of the undefeated conference leaders on Friday, but Jaxon Brooks struck out the side in the seventh to preserve the …

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Lions edged 6-4 by Mediapolis

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The Lions put up three runs in the sixth inning to pull within striking distance of the undefeated conference leaders on Friday, but Jaxon Brooks struck out the side in the seventh to preserve the Mediapolis victory. 

“We knew it was going to be kind of a tough task, they’ve had a good ball club over the last couple of years,” Lone Tree coach Mike Close said. 

The Lions trailed 6-1 when a walk and two hit batters loaded the bases for Tyler Bell with two outs in the sixth. His fly ball dropped in left field, scoring Joe Boxwell and Adam Knock. Matt Hemsted reached base on an error to score Cade Shield, which cut the lead to two. 

The Lions used four pitchers in the game and held the Bulldogs to one run after falling behind 5-1 in the second inning. 

Boxwell singled in the second inning as the Lions loaded the bases with just one out. Gavin Pourroy walked and scored on a passed ball, but a pair of strikeouts limited the damage for Mepo. 

“We were in a tough spot, we’ve had a couple of tough games,” Close said. “So all I was really looking for was to try to play better. Be more consistent, do a better job at the plate. We’re just kind of struggling right now and we’re trying to find our groove. I think we’re just not playing to our potential and that’s probably the most frustrating part.”

Will Kleckner allowed no hits and no walks over 2 and 1/3 innings, and Adam Knock pitched a clean inning as well. Both struck out two batters. 

 

Pekin 13, Lone Tree 1

The Panthers took advantage of nine walks and two hit batters in a 13-1 win over Lone Tree on Monday. Pekin took a 6-0 lead in the second inning with just two hits and added three more runs in the third. Cade Patterson, Shield and Kleckner each had a hit and Shield scored on a passed ball in the seventh inning. 

It was the first run of the year scored on Pekin senior Chase Stansberry, who improved to 2-0. He has allowed six hits this season with 25 strikeouts over 13 innings. 

 

L-M 9, Lone Tree 8

Nine errors resulted in five unearned runs for the Falcons in a 9-8 win over Lone Tree on Thursday. The Lions came back from an early 5-2 deficit to tie the game at 6-6 after five innings. 

The Falcons scored three more in the sixth and Lone Tree was unable to come all the way back. 

Kleckner was 3-for-4 with two RBIs in the loss. Hemsted homered and scored three runs. Bell was 2-for-4 with an RBI as well. Patterson had a hit, a walk, and an RBI. Pourroy had a hit and an RBI. Boxwell walked twice and reached on an error. Ethan Bockelman was hit by a pitch and drove in a run. 

 

Keota 3, Lone Tree 0

Caden and Colten Clarahan combined to limit Lone Tree to just two hits with 11 strikeouts over 6 and 2/3 innings on Wednesday. 

Colten, a senior, ranks among the top five in 1A with 42 strikeouts in 22 innings this season. 

Knock, Pourroy, and Boxwell each had a hit for the Lions. 

Kleckner allowed no runs on three hits and a walk in 2 and 2/3 innings of relief. Boxwell pitched an inning with no hits or walks.