Muskegon Clippers pitcher Jack Decker, usually a very effective reliever, got his first start of the season on Thursday night and couldn’t have performed much better.

Decker struck out a dozen batters while only walking two and allowing one hit in 7 2/3 innings, leading the Clippers to a very important 7-4 victory over the Sandusky Ice Haulers on the road.

The Clippers ended up winning two out of three from Sandusky in the midweek series after losing the first game on Tuesday. They are now a very impressive 10-1 on the season and remain in first place in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League’s North Division.

Sandusky, which came into the series hoping to pass the Clippers in the standings, fell to 8-4. The Lima Locos are in second place at 9-4.

The Clippers will host the Michigan Monarchs on Friday and Saturday night at Marsh Field.

Muskegon took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, tacked on four more runs in the fifth, then added single runs in the sixth and eight innings. Sandusky scored three runs in the ninth but could get no closer.

Stoney Smith led the Clipper offense with two hits and two RBIs. Aaron Piasecki and Aidan Arbogast each added two hits while Caleb Sanders knocked in one run.