×

Dodgers manufacture late runs to top Clinton, 6-3

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Tyrnan Lara of Fort Dodge connects for a single against Clinton on Friday

The Fort Dodge baseball team became a scrambling, risk-taking menace on the basepaths during a late rally on Friday that led to a 6-3 victory over Clinton on a beautiful night at Ed McNeil Field.

Trailing 3-2 in the fifth inning of their home opener, the Dodgers (3-0 overall) got an RBI double from junior catcher Tyrnan Lara to knot the score. Head coach Blake Utley’s squad then plated three more runs on a pair of passed balls and a wild pitch, opening the floodgates and handing the River Kings (2-1) their first loss.

”I was anxious to see how our guys were going to handle this situation, and they rose to the occasion,” Utley said. ”Clinton is a quality ballclub and a strong program. It was great to see the energy, enthusiasm and aggressiveness that sparked (the comeback in the fifth), and it was also a lot of fun.”

After Lara’s two-bagger plated freshman Shane Halligan, Dodgers Nathan Blocker, Brycen Bell and Bryer Nelson all scored on mishandled River Kings pitches.

”We put the pressure on, and it fired up our dugout,” Utley said. ”We used speed to our advantage to manufacture those runs, and I think it rattled them just enough.

”This is an enjoyable group to be around. They really believe in each other, and trust the process. It will be fun watching them grow together.”

Sophomore left-hander Drew Callon closed the door on Clinton with five strikeouts over two shutout innings of relief to record the save. Callon tossed four effective innings on Monday during a road sweep of Des Moines East with nine K’s that afternoon.

”We were able to use Drew in that spot to shut the door because he only worked four innings (of a 13-7 victory) earlier in the week,” Utley said. ”(Senior) Keaton Jones gave us a solid start.”

Sophomore Drake Miller hit a long home run to deep left-centerfield that Utley joked ”hasn’t landed yet,” while Jones and Nelson added two hits each.

Kade Solverson recorded one out to end the fifth and wound up with the win.

Makai Hart went deep for Clinton, which defeated Dubuque Hempstead and Iowa City High earlier this week to start the year.

Fort Dodge faces Davenport West at 11 a.m. and Cedar Falls at 3 p.m. at McNeil Field on Saturday.

FORT DODGE 6, CLINTON 3

Clinton 110 010 0 — 3 5 1

Fort Dodge 101 040 x — 6 6 2

Kyle Cunningham (L; 4.33 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K), Makai Hart (0.67 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K), Jace Houzemga (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K) and Brennan Lemke, Ty Wenzel (5). Keaton Jones (4.67 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K), Kade Solverson (W; 0.33 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K), Drew Callon (SV; 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) and Tyrnan Lara. 2B–FD: Tyrnan Lara; C: Johnny Sullivan. HR–FD: Drake Miller; C: Makai Hart.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today