​If you happened to think that the Lewis Division was a close race, hold on to your hard hats. The Clark is coming. The Western Nebraska Pioneers wrapped up the first half playoff berth for the second year in a row and will host on August 7th against the winner from the second half. Here is the recap of the season so far in the Clark Division!

1: Western Nebraska Pioneers (33-12, 12-5 2nd Half) (Clinched 1st Half Playoff Berth)

​For the Pioneers, second year bench boss Jimmy Turk has seen the same success that paved the way to the EL title last season. Western Nebraska, however, heads into the break on their first three game losing streak of 2019. The Pioneers, much like Baldns in the Lewis Division, have a pluthera of hitters above .300, seven to be exact, and are led by Colin Ludwig, who owns a .368 average, 42 hits, 29 runs, and an impressive 23 RBI. All Star Zach Peterson ​is another catalyst, and he is tied for the team lead with 29 RBI as well as being a brick wall at shortstop. However, where the Pioneers make their bread best is in the pitching department. Ace Ty Bothwell has been superb, hurling 42.2 innings, allowing only six earned runs, and is 6-1 with 65 strikeouts, by far most on the team. Starter Andrei Stoyanow is also 4-1, and the Pioneers are tops in the EL in team ERA. As the second half continues, West Nebraska must keep winning to en sure home field advantage throughout the 2019 playoffs. 

2: Fremont Moo (18-24, 8-6 2nd Half) (Lead 2nd Half Playoff Standings)

You probably wouldn't know that Fremont is in its first season in the league by their second half performance. Fremont has bounced out to an 8-6 record in the second half, with many of those victories coming abasing teams with winning records. The leader for the Moo are two aggressive hitters in ​Tyler Push and Luke White, with respective averages of .356 and .337. Push has 18 stolen bases for the team lead, while White has done more damage from the batters box, tallying 31 hits, five of those two baggers. For pitching, James Scurto owns an impressive 4-2 record with 42 strikeouts in nearly 60 innings on the bump. Cade Kirkemo ​has paced the bullpen, appearing 14 times but only making two starts, being a great factor out of the pen to use late in games. Simply put: this Fremont squad is one to watch down the stretch as they hope to pull away from the tight knit pack at war for the final playoff spot. 

3: Casper Horseheads (22-24, 8-8 2nd Half) (2nd in Playoff Standings, 1 GB FRM)

The turn around story for Casper in 2019 has been nothing short of immaculate. The Horseheads have already won four more games than all of last year, and are hungry to get to the El playoffs for the first time in 2019. Offensively, Casper has no shortage of powerful hitters. Robert Cruz ​would be a good place to start, holdign a team leading .381 batting average and shellacking 34 RBI. Outfielder ​Jake Brown has given home fans plenty of souvenirs this season, with eight long balls to compliment eight doubles and 26 RBI. The offense is potent, which has helped Casper's pitching staff. The Horseheads have struggled on the bump, but one bright spot has been Nick Roach. When we say bright spot, we aren't kidding. Roach is 6-0, thrown 46.2 innings, and has only given up 17 runs during that process. Roach also has 68 strikeouts, one of the best numbers as a starter this season for any EL hurler. Casper may have a climb to upheave the rest of the Clark Division, but if there is an offense to sneak into the playoffs, the Horseheads have the ability to get the job done. 

​4: Hastings Sodbusters (19-25, 7-7 2nd Half) (Currently 2nd in Playoff Standings, 1 GB FRM)

Yet another squad in search of that final playoff berth, Hastings hopes they can repeat the same fortune as 2018. The Sodbusters, unlike Casper, surge with their pitching. Two men in particular, Trey Kissack and Matt Hess have driven opponent batters crazy with their pitching ability. Kissack has a 3-2 mark with 59 strikeouts, while Hess is 4-1 himself as a southpaw. On offense, Grant Schmidt has tipped seven home runs, including a two homer game at Duncan Field earlier this season against Pierre. It was the first time in Duncan Field history that this had happened. Schmidt has also recorded 39 hits and 36 RBI for his team. Hastings will be another powerhouse to look out for come the second half of the season. 

5: Spearfish Sasquatch (23-22, 5-11 2nd Half) (Currently 4th in Playoff Standings, 4 GB FRM)

For Spearfish, first year head coach Adam Core is hoping his squad can get back to their winning ways form the first half of the season. The Sasquatch have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games but still possess a strong offensive attack. This is led by outfielder Z Westley, who is one of very few players carrying a batting average of above .400 (.404) into the all star break. Another slugger Joe Yorke has been able to drive in 30 runs while accumulating 40 hits and five doubles for his team. In the pitching department, Spearfish is spearheaded by reliever Logan Wensley, ​a man that has already seen 14 appearances thus far in 2019. However, the Sasquatch have lost many of their aces this season due to returning to college and innings limit, and this is a reason as to why the South Dakota team is struggling in the second half. However, it would be foolish to rule out this team, as the remaining players certainly will have an axe to grind come the stretch of the season before playoffs.