Freshman blanks Fortuna on two hits during five-inning complete game
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KELSEYVILLE >> For a team that isn’t close to being at full strength, the Kelseyville High School varsity baseball squad is already taking names.
Behind a complete-game two-hitter by freshman JD Smart, the Knights shut out the Fortuna Huskes 10-0 in five innings during a non-league contest Saturday afternoon at Lloyd Larson Field in Kelseyville.
While the Knights await the return of several of the team’s veterans who are part of Kelseyville’s playoff run in basketball, a mix of veterans and youngsters is dominating the competition in the early going. Kelseyville shut out Colusa 13-3 in five innings in its season opener on Tuesday before 10-running the Huskies on Saturday.
“JD does what JD does,” Kelseyville head coach Billy Shaul said of his freshman starting pitcher who figures to be a big part of the Knights’ success in the next few years. “He throws strikes and stays around the zone.”
Smart allowed just two hits, struck out seven and walked two. He did not allow a Fortuna baserunner past second base.
“He allowed a double and an infield single,” Shaul said. “They had two guys make it to second during the game.”
Smart was backed in the field by a defense that committed no errors and at the plate by an 11-hit attack, with junior Carson White leading the way as he went 3-for-3 with a double, triple and three RBIs. Casey Huston went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs while Michael DeJohn also had two hits.
Freshman shortstop Carson Stone set the defensive tone early by backhanding a ball in the hole and throwing out the runner.
Kelseyville wasted no time taking the lead against Fortuna, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning, five times in the second and once in the third for an 8-0 lead. The Knights’ final two runs came in the fifth, at which point the game was called because of the 10-run mercy rule.
The Knights could have their complete team on the practice field Monday if the basketball team’s bid for a NorCal at-large berth comes up short Sunday. If the basketball team continues on in the NorCal playoffs, Shaul will have to wait a bit longer.
So far that isn’t a problem.
“I hope they make it,” he said of the basketball team. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The Knights hit the road Tuesday to play Technology in Rohnert Park.
TEAM NOTES: Reme Strong went 1-for-2 with a RBI against Fortuna and Case Pivniska also drove in a run. Smart, Stone and Deake Lyndall had the other Kelseyville hits … Smart’s complete game needed only 64 pitches.
