WEST BURLINGTON

Putting the brakes on a four-game losing streak, the Lions found their footing on the road and cruised to a 8-2 win over the West Burlington Falcons on June 24. 

Lone Tree picked up a lead in the first with a single run and the Falcons eventually responded with one run to tie the game in the fourth. 

West Liberty’s hopes for a comeback were not in the cards, as Lone Tree scored five in the fifth to take an impressive lead. The Falcons scored one more run in the sixth, but the Lions scored two more in the seventh to preserve their win. 

Bringing in the most runs for Lone Tree was junior Brody Magruder who had a team high three RBIs. Tying for the team lead with two hits each was Emmett Burke, Jack Patterson, and Brock Nebergall. 

Going the distance on the mound to get the win was junior Jack Patterson. Patterson ended with nine strikeouts, surrendering six hits, and allowing one walk.

Calamus-Wheatland 14, Lone Tree 4

In the first of what is scheduled to be five consecutive road games, the Lions (4-10) found themselves on the losing end against the Calamus-Wheatland Warriors (10-1) on June 19.  

Lone Tree took the first lead of the game by putting up a single run in the second after both teams went scoreless in the first. The Warriors answered with four runs in the bottom of the innings to take their own lead. 

Despite the Lions scoring twice in the next inning, Calamus-Wheatland was able to consistently find home plate, scoring twice in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.  

Lone Tree scored once more in the fifth, before the game came to an end early with the Warriors scoring four runs in the sixth. 

The Lions ended the game with four hits with those hits coming from Ethan Bockelman, Jack Patterson, Maddox Jondle, and Dominic Graap. Patterson, Jondle, and Graap also had one RBI each. 

Receiving the loss on the mound was Bockelman. The senior pitcher struck out six, gave up 12 hits, and allowed four walks. 

Pekin 9, Lone Tree 5  

The Pekin Panthers (7-7) sent their home crowd home happy when they secured the series sweep over the Lions (4-11) on June 21. 

In their earlier season matchup, the Panthers won in a blowout, scoring 24 runs, but this time around the Lions, showing their growth, kept the game competitive throughout.

Pekin held a 4-1 lead after two innings played but Lone Tree was able to cut into their deficit by scoring two runs in the top of the third. With only one run separating both teams, the game went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings.

The top of the sixth saw the Lions tie the game, but the Panthers doused water on the fire of a potential comeback by scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning. Lone Tree was able to score once more in the seventh but could not score again before their final out ended the game. 

Collecting six hits as a team, the senior and freshman duo of Ethan Bockelman and Brock Nebergall led the Lions with two hits each. Emmett Burke led the team with 2 RBIs, going one for three at bat with his hits being a double. 

The loss on the mound went to Burke who was a relief pitcher. Maddox Jondle saw the most playing time on the mound, pitching in three and one third of an inning, recording two strikeouts, giving up two hits, and allowing three walks. 

Up next for Lone Tree (5-11) is a road game against the Louisa-Muscatine Falcons (4-13) on June 27.