WEBSTER CITY – Second-ranked (Class 2A) and 2015 state champion Clear Lake controlled a North Central Conference doubleheader against Webster City last night at Lynx Field.

Helped by a 20-8 advantage in hits, the Lions loaded back up on the bus and headed home with a pair of victories, 8-2 and 7-1.

Clear Lake improved to 24-6 overall and 11-2 in the NCC, while WCHS slipped to 6-16 and 4-10.

“We made some mistakes again (last night) and missed some chances in key situations that could have gotten us out of some jams,” WCHS head coach Mark Fisher said. “Base running was an issue (also) … we made several uncharacteristic mistakes.”

Clear Lake jumped out to take command of Game 1 with a four-run first inning and WCHS was never able to get closer than three runs the rest of the way.

Lynx starter Dylan Steen lasted only into the second inning, but reliever Caleb Olson came in and gave his team strong innings. He struck out two.

“Caleb gave us a real boost in the first game with some solid relief pitching,” Fisher said.

Steen had the hottest bat, as he went 2 for 3 off Lions’ starter Ethan McHenry. Cole Reigelsberger, Corey Wagner and Bryan Ferrell all added base knocks. Ty Schnathorst drove in a run.

McHenry went the distance and tossed a five-hitter that included six strikeouts.

Ferrell contained the Lions’ bats early in Game 2 and WCHS scored in the second inning and held a 1-0 lead until the fourth.

Clear Lake tied the nightcap at one in the fourth and then busted loose for four in the fifth frame. The Lions out-hit WCHS 10-3.

Zach Lester, Tanner Huey and Brad Burns all laced doubles for the visitors in Game 2. Lester collected two RBI.

Schnathorst, Wagner and Romel Martinez accounted for the only WCHS hits. Wagner had the team’s lone RBI.

Ferrell sat down three on strikes before handing the ball off to Hunter Hayden in the sixth. Clear Lake used three pitchers; Jackson Hamlin earned the win.

WCHS will close out the regular season on Tuesday against second-ranked (3A) Boone.