Back when dinosaurs walked the earth, long before one could drive a stolen car coast to coast on his “device,” kids used to play games such as trying to get a peer to believe something ridiculous. Once, while playing golf, I got a chum to believe that Atlanta Braves pitcher Buzz Capra was the son of famed Hollywood director Frank Capra.

That may have been my high point.

Another game was saying someone’s name, and replying with someone else who was similar

“Ken Boyer (third baseman).”

“Clete Boyer (his brother, also third baseman).”

“Charles Boyer (pronounced boy-YAY).”

“Point for me. He’s a dead actor, bozo.”

Or who rhymed. My best was when I rhymed Gary Redus, Cincinnati ballplayer, with Pat Deacetis, Furman ballplayer.

I don’t remember the triumphs of others.

Were I an edgy wizard of today, I would have been far better prepared to fly a spaceship

The Clinton softball team has been playing through a chamber of horrors.

On Thursday night in Chester, the Cyclones edged the Red Devils, 9-8, with a sacrifice fly by Alayna Andrews in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Clinton (6-5, 0-3, Region 4-3A) has lost three straight games by a three-run homer in extra innings to Laurens, two seventh-inning runs to Woodruff and one in the seventh to Chester (3-4, 2-2).

The Red Devils amassed 13 hits to the Cyclones’ five. Each team committed five errors.

Clinton shortstop Kamryn Campbell rapped four singles in five at-bats. Catcher Halleigh Luke counted among her three hits a triple. Me-Me Smith’s two hits were a double and a home run. Alyssa Young stroked a double.

Chester scored four runs to tie the game in the sixth. Four of the Cyclones’ five hits in the game went for extra bases.

Smith took the loss in relief of Cat Wilkie.

Emerald visits Clinton on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Laurens Academy pulled off a much-needed baseball victory, edging King, 5-4.

Left fielder Nathan Bell singled in what proved the winning run, driving in Caleb Hardy, who had reached on error with two out in the top of the eighth.

A King error gave the Crusaders (2-5) the lead in the fifth after Ethan Collins and Elias Littleton walked.

Evan Asalone allowed only a hit in 2-2/3 innings, earning the decision. Colton Buzhardt started for the Knights, but the loss went to Annie List.

Asalone and Bell each collected two hits, sharing the Crusaders’ total. Caleb Hardy and  Littleton stole bases.

Wardlaw visits LA on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game.

Olivia Huck pitched the Crusaders to a 12-7 softball victory over Greenwood Christian.

None of the seven runs were earned as Laurens Academy committed seven errors. She issued no walks and struck out four.

Abby Howard paced the Crusader batters with three hits. Four others had two hits apiece.

Trailing by five runs, the Crusader scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Have you noticed that some players, when they swing a racquet, make a racket?

Clinton boys’ tennis, after opening with a loss to Dorman, has bounced back against more reasonable competition.

The Red Devils took down down both Aiken and Emerald by 4-2 margins. Clinton (2-1, 1-0 Region 4-3A) doesn’t resume until April 9.

Emerald, 4-2

Nathan Meade defeated Brady Lloyd  6 – 1, 6 – 1; Edwin Orr defeated Jason Dunton  6 – 0, 6 – 0; Matthew King defeated Gavin Jenks  6 – 2, 6 – 1; Jacob King defeated Mason Fazio  6 – -0, 6 – 0; Malakye Brewer lost to Tatum Bonaca  6 – 1, 6 – 1.

Brady Mason & Ethan Wargo lost to David Sherer & William Trent  7 – 6 (3),  6 – 3.

Aiken, 4-2

Nathan Meade defeated Henry Vaughters   6 – 3, 6 – 3; Edwin Orr defeated Joseph Burch  6 – 0, 6 – 0; Matthew King defeated Aiden McLwain  6 – 3, 6 – 2; Jacob King defeated Alex Jammell  6 – 1, 6 – 2; Malakye Brewer lost to Brinkley Johnson  3 – 6, 6 – 3, (6 – 10).

Brady Mason & Ethan Wargo lost to Jake & Josh Woiczechowski   6 -1, 6 – 0.

Former Clinton High catcher Luke White – the current Red Devil backstop is Luke Young – got his first start behind the plate at Newberry College on Tuesday night in a 15-8 win over Augusta.

A sophomore, White went 3/5 at the plate with a double.

The Wolves (12-16) have won five straight and play a doubleheader at home on Sunday against Virginia Wise at 1 p.m. and a single game on Monday at 2.

Will work for food, but contributions would be better. They’re both good and good for me.

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