LAKEPORT >> Less than a year after guiding the Clear Lake Cardinals to an undefeated North Central League I championship and a 26-1 record, baseball head coach Zane Jensen is stepping down following a 9-0 loss to the St. Helena Saints on Tuesday afternoon in Lakeport.
Losing nearly his entire roster to graduation after Clear Lake’s magical run in 2015 when the Cardinals won their first 26 games, Clear Lake stumbled out of the gate with its junior-dominated lineup in 2016, losing five of its first six games, but gradually improved from there.
“I don’t care about wins and losses,” Jensen said. “I care about how we play the game and I’ve got to give credit to these guys because they never quit. They never quit.”
Clear Lake (6-8 league, 7-17 overall) could have extended its season and Jensen’s career by at least one more game with a win, which would have made the team playoff eligible, but the Cardinals managed just four hits and no runs against a St. Helena team that is now tied with Cloverdale for second place in the NCL I standings at 9-3.
Jensen said he plans to pursue a master’s degree in history, something that will open new teaching opportunities for him. He completes his fifth season as Clear Lake’s head coach with a 79-47 overall record, including a 50-20 mark in league play that includes league championships in 2014 and 2015 — the Cardinals were a combined 27-1 in league play those two seasons.
John Vertrees went 2-for-3 in Clear Lake’s season finale. Losing pitcher Ryan Damiata worked five innings and left the game with his team trailing 4-0.
