CJ Hisler connects for a Webster City base hit versus Hampton-Dumont. (DFJ photo by Jodie Casey)

HAMPTON — Compared to their campaigns of the recent past, the 2023 summer sports season has not been easy for the Webster City baseball team. Along with facing several top teams in the state, the North Central Conference has been unkind to the Lynx this time around.

In a North Central Conference contest against Hampton-Dumont-CAL, the Lynx yielded a five-run burst after building up an early lead, before a late rally fell short in a 6-5 decision on the campus of Hampton-Dumont-CAL High School.

Despite taking a loss on the mound, sophomore Brady Asklund fanned eight Bulldog batters. At the dish, junior Josh Stansfield led the way with three RBIs off of a double and a single.

Following the setback, the Lynx sank back down to the middle of the NCC pack with a 4-3 conference record and 9-11 overall.The Bulldogs jumped Webster City in the league’s pecking order, improving to 7-9 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

The purple and gold will seek to rebound at 7:30 p.m. tonight, squaring off against Algona in an NCC matchup at Lynx Field in Webster City.

Algona (7-11, 3-1 NCC) is also looking to bounce back, coming into the game with a three-game skid.

Webster City started the game well enough, plating two runs in the initial frame, before HDC countered with one run in the bottom of the first. Over the next four innings, the Lynx latched onto a narrow 2-1 lead.

The Lynx broke through in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs. Hampton-Dumont-CAL once again had a reply, churning out five runs in the bottom of the frame.

Going into the seventh, the Lynx trailed by two at 6-4. Even though Webster City narrowed the Bulldogs’ lead, the purple and gold was unable to complete the comeback.

Alongside Stansfield, junior Keegan Hisler went 2-of-3 with a double, single and Webster City’s lone stolen base. Senior CJ Hisler and junior Briar Klaver also came away with base hits against the Bulldogs.