The Clear Lake baseball team has a solid nucleus returning from last year’s team that won the class 3A state championship. The one exception is on the mound where coach Seth Thompson had to rebuild the pitching staff. So far, so good as the Lions are 14-2 and ranked second in the latest Radio Iowa/Coaches poll.

Thompson says it’s tough when you have so many players graduate, but he says they have done a good job of having a number of kids step up this season and take the mound.

Thompson put together a challenging schedule for his team this season and feels it will pay off. They are playing four 4A teams and he says that should help prepare them for postseason.

Last year’s team had a flair for the dramatic and rallied late for several wins. Thompson says that trait has carried over to this season as he says it has a lot to do with the heart of the kids.

Clear Lake is scheduled to host Webster City tonight.