The Calvary Lutheran Lions are still working out some kinks, but they are starting to straighten out one of them.
Calvary combined to score one run in its first two games of the season. In the Lions' past two contests, they've scored a combined 11 runs.
"The good part is we're starting to put the bat on the ball," Calvary coach Rusty Bourg said following Tuesday's 18-7 home loss in five innings to New Haven. "We're starting to get better at-bats. We've made progress offensively."
Ian MacLaughlin was busy from the leadoff spot for the Lions, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a walk and three runs scored.
MacLaughlin led off the first with a walk and scored on Nick Stark's single to right field as part of a two-run inning.
Stark also had two hits and a walk, which came with the bases loaded in the fifth for his second RBI.
Conner Kimsey added a second run in the fifth when Nathan Bates reached on a fielder's choice, making it 18-7. But the Lions left runners on the corners with a flyout to right field, ending the game by run-rule.
"We need somebody to go out and throw some innings," Bourg said. "I think three (innings) may have been our most in one game, so we've got to find somebody that can keep us in the game long enough to pitch four or five innings. That would really help."
Four players took the mound for Calvary (0-4). Kimsey pitched the first two innings, striking out three and walking one while allowing eight runs (five earned) on seven hits.
Kolton Sellers threw an inning of relief and Nathan Bates pitched the final two innings. Sam Hoff also took the mound in relief.
The Shamrocks scored three in the first and third innings, five in the second and fifth, and two in the fourth.
Owen Buchheit went 5-for-5 with four RBI for New Haven. Jay Eichelberger also drove in four runs with three hits and a walk, and August Panhorst and Owen Borcherding each had three RBI.
Improvement on defense is another kink to work out for the Lions, who had four errors Tuesday.
"We're still young and we make a lot of defensive mistakes," Bourg said. "I think once we get that accomplished and these young guys keep working, then we can build on that. I think we'll be more competitive."
Wet weather has kept the Lions off the field a couple times this season. Two games have been cancelled and half of the games they've gotten in occurred in the past two days.
Calvary will hope to play three games in two days this weekend in the Calvary Lutheran/New Bloomfield Tournament. The seventh-seeded Lions are schedule to play second-seeded Vienna at 4:30 p.m. Friday to begin the tournament.
Third-seeded California and sixth-seeded Tuscumbia are also on the bottom half of the bracket with St. Elizabeth, Belle and New Bloomfield making up the top half.