AMBOY – The Amboy baseball team had tough outings at the plate as they dropped four games in a row.

The Clippers (6-6) lost to Northwest Upstate Illini Conference South Division rival Ashton-Franklin Center both Tuesday, April 8 (10-0) and Thursday, April 10 (8-4 in nine innings), and non-conference opponents, River Ridge/Scales Mound (3-0) on Saturday, April 12, and Putnam County (18-2) on Monday, April 14.

In the first contest against AFC, the Raiders scored six runs in the second inning and added four runs in the third inning.

Amboy senior Eddie Jones took the loss on the mound with three hits, and six runs (two earned), three strike outs and three walks in 1 2/3 inning. Senior Brody Christoffersen had the only hit for the Clippers.

The Clippers had a 4-3 lead in the fourth inning of the second encounter with the Raiders, but AFC prevailed after tying the game 4-4 in the sixth and scoring four runs in the top of the ninth inning for the 8-4 final.

Freshman Bryson Deery, the No. 8 hitter, was 2-of-4 at the plate, while seniors Carson Barlow and Jones each drove in a run. Amboy stole six bases including two taken by Christoffersen.

Barlow was the Amboy starting pitcher against River Ridge and recorded 18 outs in the loss as he allowed five hits and three runs, struck out seven, and walked none in six innings.

The Clippers fell behind Putnam County in the first inning and the Panthers put on seven more in the second inning to take a lead they wouldn’t let up.

Senior Quinn Leffelman hit a solo home run in the third inning and junior Rylan McNinch drove in a run.

McNinch took the loss on the mound with eighth hits, 11 runs (four earned), one strike out and two walks in two innings.