St. Edmond head baseball coach Joe Shanks knows how difficult it can be to defeat Clear Lake.

When given extra outs, that task becomes even more daunting.

The sixth-ranked (Class 2A) and two-time defending state champion Lions scored a 7-3 victory over the Gaels here Wednesday night at Rogers Park despite recording just three hits.

Eight St. Edmond (4-6 overall, 1-3 in North Central Conference) errors and eight walked batters allowed Clear Lake (7-4, 3-1) to pick up the victory.

“We didn’t make the routine plays,” Shanks said. “It’s a close game if we don’t throw the ball around like we did.

“You just can’t make that many mistakes and expect to win, especially against a good, experienced team like Clear Lake.”

Of those eight Gael errors, five alone came in the second inning when the Lions scored three runs even though they didn’t get a single hit.

Clear Lake, which knocked SEHS out of the postseason two years ago on a walkoff grand slam, added a run in the fifth, two more in the sixth and another in the seventh. They also stole six bases, including three by Tanner Huey.

“The good thing is we have time to make improvements,” Shanks said. “The kids are still positive and are giving it their all.”

Jake Szalat was handed his first loss of the year, going five-plus innings and allowing just a single hit. He struck out four, giving him 59 career strikeouts.

Connor Allison was 3-for-3 with three steals and a run scored, while Sam Dougall had two hits and scored once. Cole Allison drew two walks and scored.

St. Edmond, which has lost four in a row, is back in action on Friday when they host Clarion-Goldfield/Dows at Rogers Park.

In the junior varsity contest, the Gaels won, 7-0, improving to 4-2 on the year. Sean Flattery had an RBI.

CLEAR LAKE 7, ST. EDMOND 3

Clear Lake 030 012 1 — 7 3 0

St. Edmond 001 010 1 — 3 8 8

Jackson Hamlin (W, 2-0, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB) and David Vohs; Jake Szalat (L, 2-1, 5ª IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 K, 4 BB), Cael Kolacia (1• IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 4 BB) and Kolacia, Jack McEvoy.

RBI–CL: Jacob Peterson. SB–CL: Tanner Huey (3), Erik McHenry, David Vohs, Nathan Tofte, Ben Finn; SE: Connor Allison (3), Nick Bennett.