Neuqua Valley outlasts Larkin in 10

Every time Neuqua Valley's Kevin Clendening needed to make a good pitch Thursday he did.

So did Larkin's Luc Geier.

For nine innings both pitchers threw brilliantly, but the Wildcats were able to get to the Royals' Jon Meidel in the 10th for 2 runs for a 3-1 Upstate Eight Conference victory in Elgin.

"I felt great," said Clendening after throwing nine innings of one-run ball. "My teammates helped me. It's all about the team."

Clendening (8-0) gave up a run in the second inning on an RBI single by Geier. The right-hander got into some trouble fourth, seventh and ninth innings, but managed to get out of the innings without any damage. In the fourth, Clendening got Reid Ellis to pop out with the bases loaded and two outs. The Royals (16-13, 11-7) also had the bases loaded in the seventh and ninth innings. Both times Clendening got Meidel out to end the threat.

Clendening gave up 10 hits and 1 run. He walked three - two intentionally - and struck out six.

"Kevin was getting a lot of outs on his changeup," Neuqua coach Robin Renner said. "Both pitchers were right on the money."

Geier allowed the conference-leading Wildcats (19-8, 13-3) only 6 hits. He retired the first 10 batters he faced before Jordan Williamson singled to left with one out in the fourth. Williamson later scored on a Mike McKinley single. Neuqua had runners in scoring position in only two other innings, the fifth and the ninth.

Geier, a right-hander, walked one and struck out eight.

"Both (Clendening and Geier) threw really well. Both seemed to get stronger as the game went on as well," Larkin coach Matt Esterino said. "(Geier) isn't overpowering. He kept them off balance. When he's going well he can throw three or four pitches for strikes."

With the starters out of gas, the Royals turned to Meidel in the 10th. The Wildcats loaded the bases on a single and two walks with no outs. Mike Gerber hit a 3-2 pitch into right-center to drive in Jeff Dean and Ryan Wagner.

The Royals couldn't get anything going against Chris Widup, who struck out three in the 10th though one batter reached on a wild pitch. Larkin left 13 runners on base.

"It was a great game. It was well-played by both sides," Renner said. "Whoever won the game was going to be fortunate to win. Luckily, we came out on that end."