North Clay Loses in State Quarterfinals

The North Clay Indians saw their great junior high baseball season come to an end in the state quarterfinals Friday.

Joliet St. Paul defeated North Clay 6-3 in Elite Eight action at Eastside Centre in East Peoria.

North Clay held the early lead with single runs in the first and second innings, but St. Paul tied the contest with solo tallies in the third and fourth innings. A big three-run fifth inning was the difference for St. Paul. Each team scored in the sixth inning, and St. Paul secured the win.

Donnie Zimmerman started for North Clay and went four innings, allowing two runs on two hits, walking two and striking out seven batters. Holden Clifton took the loss, giving up four runs, but just one earned in his two innings of work, walking two and fanning two.

At the plate for North Clay, Collyn Ballard singled, Brady Ingram hit a solo home run, Holden Dawkins doubled, Holden Clifton hit a solo homer, and Dakota Weidner hit a solo home run.

North Clay finishes its season with a record of 17-6