Spirit Lake baseball improved to 2-0 on the season with a 14-5 win over non-conference rival Harris-Lake Park on Thursday. The game sat at 1-0 through four innings until the Indians broke it open with a seven-run fifth, highlighted by Tyler Dean’s two run homer. Paul Brown took the win for Spirit Lake, allowing just three earned runs and striking out five. He also registered two hits, a walk and three runs scored. Conner Gunderson led the Wolves offense with two hits and a run scored. Harris-Lake Park is now 0-2.
Across the street it was the softball version of the Indians versus the Wolves, and Spirit Lake capped a sweep of HLP with a 14-10 victory. Both teams notched seven runs in the first three innings, but a five-run fourth for the Indians propelled Spirit Lake to their third win in four games. That inning saw Cara Vale drive in a run and later score a run, while Caila Jones drove in a pair with a double to left, part of a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Emily Mercer drew four walks and scored three runs, for an Indians team that will play five games in five days to open the season and is now 3-1. Spirit Lake plays Clay Central-Everly this evening. The Wolves were led by Deni Peters’ four runs scored on a double and three walks. She also stole three bases. Head coach Eric Clouse says his team needs to find balance between their ability to score runs and lack of consistent defense. Harris-Lake Park is now 0-2 on the season.
In other softball action, Okoboji improved to 2-1 with a 7-4 defeat of Algona, Armstrong-Ringsted beat Ruthven-Ayrshire, 10-3, and Emmetsburg topped North Sentral Kossuth 12-4.
