Clear Fork shut out the Galion boys baseball team 4-0 in its home opener on Monday.
The Colts got off to an early start with a run in the first inning with a sacrifice fly from Thomas Staab which scored Caleb Merendino.
Galion head coach Phil Jackson said the funny thing about the baseball is not about how hard the team hits the ball, which wasn’t the cause for the team’s struggles early on in the game.
“It’s where it falls,” he said.
Clear Fork’s Luke Clark and Shane Klenk each got a RBI to bring the lead up 3-0 in the third inning.
Galion came close to making runs during the fifth inning with the bases loaded, but Clear Fork freshman pitcher Mitch Durbin ended the threat after striking out Tyler Castline.
The Colts head coach Rusty Staab said he hopes Durbin’s performance will provide insight for the rest of the team.
“If you throw more strikes the defense will play for you,” he said. “[Mitch] pitched a great game.”
Jackson said the team is still young and needs to improve on its catching and hitting.
“Things are fixable,” he added. “We’re going to be okay.”
While Galion lost its season opener, Clear Fork’s record improves to 2-1 after a doubleheader split with Marion Harding. The Colts defeated the Presidents in the first game 14-4. but lost the second game 2-1.
Galion will travel to play River Valley in conference play on Wednesday.