Harmony Grove drops conference game
MARTIN COUCH Sports editor

Hopefully, Harmony Grove head coach Lane Chancellor will have time over spring break to prepare a strategy for his team that will get the Cardinals into the win column in the 5AAA Conference.

The Cardinals played only once in the past 10 days and lost that game 5-3 to Conway St. Joseph's, a conference opponent. Harmony Grove isn't scheduled to play until April 3 at Atkins.

"There was a lot of action," Chancellor said about the game.

Harmony Grove scored three times in the first inning. Tyler Smart was hit by a pitch, Myles Brinkley singled and Michael Long hit a three-run homer.

Then the Cardinals offense quit.

"We can't hit in the clutch," Chancellor said. "Our guys are batting between .350 and .400, but nobody is getting a hit with runners on. We get a pop fly, a strikeout or a ground out."

St. Joseph scored a single run in five innings, but the bounce wasn't going the Cardinals' way.

"We're on the grass and they hit the ball in the dirt, and it goes over our guys head," Chancellor said.

"They scored one of their runs there, but mainly it was here and there. We didn't hit well though."

Harmony Grove stranded seven runners. Brinkley got a double and didn't score; Jeremy Hall singled and didn't move.

"St. Joseph is a very good team, but this conference is so balanced this year," Chancellor said. "They beat Mayflower 17- 2, so it depends on who shows up. We are real young and we're going to have to grow up. We need to get ready when we're at the plate."

Glen Loyd took the loss for Harmony Grove on the mound. The Cardinals drop to 0-3 in the conference standings and are 2- 4 overall.

HARMONY GROVE CARDINALS KEVIN NAGLE PHOTOS Harmony Grove's shortstop Nathan Carter takes a throw from catcher Michael Long, left. Above middle, Harmony Grove pitcher Glen Loyd delivers to the plate against Conway St. Joseph's. Above right, Loyd takes a cut. OUT KEVIN NAGLE PHOTO Harmony Grove's Jeremy Hall gets a Conway St. Joe runner out at first.