By Matthew Lee
Regional Correspondent

CLEAR FORK, OHIO - Coach Rusty Staab has said that his Clear Fork Colts needed to relax a little more during conference play.

Coming into Clear Fork’s game against Ashland, the Colts were 6-1 in non-conference games, including a big 15-5 win against state ranked Fredericktown.

However, in Ohio Cardinal Conference play, the Colts were 0-6 on the year, including a 10-5 loss on Tuesday to Ashland, who came into the game tied for 2^nd place in the OCC with Wooster.

The Colts gave the ball to their big lefty, Travis Born, who set the tone early by striking out the first two hitters of the game.

The Colts gave Born all the support he needed in the bottom of the first inning. Ridge Winnen and Ryan South lead off the frame with bunt singles. The senior lefty, Travis Born, promptly helped his own cause with a double that scored Winnen and gave Clear Fork a 1-0 lead. Hunter Evans hit a ground ball to the right side to score South and move Born to third. Ashland starter Nick Zurcher then balked in Born making the score 3-0.

Meanwhile, Born held Ashland hitless until the fourth inning. Austin Bouquet ended the drought with a single, Ashland’s only hit of the day. Despite a Clear Fork defensive miscue that put a runner in scoring position, Born managed to leave the runners stranded.

The score stayed 3-0 until the home half of the fifth inning. Mason Swank and Austin Baker delivered singles. After Trevor Carr walked to load the bases, Chaice Baker drilled a towering grand slam and put Clear Fork up 7-0.

Born finished the complete game 1-hitter, striking out six Arrow batters, while giving up two walks.

Clear Fork moved to 7-7 on the season with a 1-6 conference record while Ashland falls to 8-7 and 5-2 in conference play.

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