After riding the momentum of a 3-0 week, the Clinton Dark Horses ran into a challenging stretch against South Lenoir, falling in back-to-back contests highlighted by extra innings and defensive struggles.
Clinton first traveled to South Lenoir on Tuesday, March 24, where the two sides battled into the night in a tightly contested matchup that stretched to nine innings. The Dark Horses ultimately fell 4-3 in extras, marking their first extended game of the season.
“That’s the first one we’ve had this season,” Clinton head coach Matthew DeLeone noted. “Actually, I’ve only had one extra-inning game since I’ve been in Clinton. They just showed some fight. It was long, cold, and late because we didn’t start till 7:30. I just thought we battled to the end and ended up on the losing end of it.”
The late start and dropping temperatures added another layer to an already demanding game, though DeLeone explained that conditions only play a small role once adrenaline takes over.
“A little bit,” he explained. “I know adrenaline can usually keep you pretty warm, but a center fielder just not got a ball in a while, that could affect your ability to make a play late in the game, especially if you haven’t done much.”
Clinton leaned on its pitching depth to navigate the extended outing, utilizing multiple arms to stay competitive deep into the night.
“Yeah, we used three arms, but mainly two,” DeLeone said. “If we’d have gone some more, we’d have thrown a fourth one. But we’re pretty deep as far as arms, and we could have played three games this week if we had to, even with the one going nine innings.”
Junior Tyler Hall led the offensive effort in the extra-inning loss, going 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs, while senior Henry Bass contributed on the mound with eight strikeouts. Sophomore Josh Slater and senior Roady Carter also made pitching appearances to help keep the game within reach.
The two teams met again on Friday in Clinton, but the result proved more lopsided as South Lenoir pulled away for a 13-5 victory. Despite the scoreline, DeLeone was quick to point out that the game told a different story beneath the surface.
“No — no, I wouldn’t say so,” DeLeone said when asked about lingering fatigue from Tuesday’s extra-inning battle. “Josh Slater rebounded pretty well and had a good outing. He was rolling ground balls. We just couldn’t field them. Again, another one of them games where the whole infield’s off, and where the whole defense is off.”
Even with the defensive miscues, Clinton found success at the plate. Henry Bass went a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Brennon Bell finished 3-for-5 with an RBI as well. Still, defensive lapses proved costly.
“We out-hit a good South Lenoir team Friday and only gave up one earned run out of the 13,” DeLeone explained. “Gotta make the plays you’re supposed to make, and eliminate errors, and we’ll have a chance to beat anybody.”
For DeLeone, the defensive inconsistencies come down to a mental approach rather than physical ability.
“Yeah, I think it’s a mental thing,” he said. “It tends to be a snowball effect. You make one, you gotta have the next play mentality and not harp on one mistake, or it’s gonna snowball quick. Just thinking about baseball — making errors — the ball is going to find you, but you can’t lock in if you’re upset.”
As Clinton looks ahead, the focus shifts to cleaning up those mistakes while maintaining solid offensive production. The Dark Horses will travel to face Purnell Swett in a non-conference matchup before hosting the Jimmy Raynor Easter Tournament during spring break.
“Quality baseball,” DeLeone emphasized. “Play clean defense. I feel like we have been swinging it pretty well offensively, but continue having quality at-bats and see how it goes. I don’t know anything about Purnell Swett other than where they’re located.”
During spring break, there’s an upcoming tournament named the Jimmy Raynor Easter Tournament, which will be split between Clinton and Hobbton, is expected to bring multiple teams together for a multi-day slate of games.
“It’s usually a good turnout,” DeLeone said. “This year, we expanded a little bit. It was originally eight teams, two locations — Hobbton being the other location. I’ve been working with Coach (Jackson) McLamb to kind of work everything out, but we lost a team, so the schedule is going to be a little different.”
Despite the adjustments, DeLeone expects a competitive environment heading into the break.
“It’s bracket-style,” he added. “We updated the bracket because a team dropped out, but it should still be a good few days of baseball.”
Clinton now turns its attention to tightening up defensively and carrying its offensive momentum forward as it prepares for a busy stretch ahead.