Maple Lake extended their losing streak (dating back to last season) to six on Tuesday, dropping them down to 0-5. They were two runs away from ending the streak, but they lost a 7-5 heartbreaker at the hands of the Royalton Royals. If the Irish were looking for revenge after losing 10-5 to the Royals when the teams met back in May of 2025, then they'll just have to keep looking.
Jackson Clapp put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits over four innings pitched. Clapp was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.
Clapp wasn't the only one making solid contact as two players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Dan Reilley, who went 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run.
As for Royalton, they pushed their record up to 2-2 with the win, which was their 11th straight at home dating back to last season. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.6 runs over those games.
Like Maple Lake, Royalton also got a great game from a two-way player: Keaton Nelson. He struck out nine batters over 6.2 innings while giving up five earned runs off four hits. Nelson was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
In other batting news, Jaden Albright was excellent, going 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run, and one double. Kirk Yourczek was another key player, going 2-for-4 with two runs.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming contests. Maple Lake will venture away from home to square off against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for Royalton, they will take on Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.
