Middletown improves to 2-0 with 14-0 rout of Technology
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KELSEYVILLE >> Orland scored twice in the top of the third inning to snap a 3-3 tie and the Trojans went on to beat the Kelseyville Knights 6-4 in non-league softball action Tuesday in Kelseyville.
It was the season opener for the Knights (0-1) and the head coaching debut of Brittany Rumfelt, who has served as Kelseyville’s assistant coach in past seasons.
“We played a team that was going into their third game on our first,” Rumfelt said. “They had decent pitching. We played well for our first game shortly after tryouts. I can’t wait to see where they are in a few weeks when we face them again (March 26 in Orland).”
Most of the scoring took place in the early innings. Kelseyville grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Orland came right back with three runs in the top of the second to move in front, and the Knights tied it at 3 with a run in the bottom half.
After pushing ahead 5-3 with two runs in the third, the Trojans (3-0) added an insurance run in the fourth. Kelseyville closed the gap with a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Losing pitcher Ashlyn Wurm went the distance, striking out five and walking three.
The Knights managed four hits, two of those by Wurm (2-for-4, RBI). Madison Mateer and Jordyn Wurm, Kelseyville’s freshman catcher, went 1-for-3.
“Jordyn did great behind the plate,” Rumfelt said. “She threw out a runner at third.”
Rumfelt, one of Lake County’s most decorated softball players during her playing days with the Clear Lake Cardinals (she pitched the team to a 27-0 record and North Coast Section championship in 2007) as well as a two-time Lake County Athlete of the Year, said she likes the hand she’s been dealt in her first season with the Knights.
“We have an athletic team with huge potential that will definitely improve now that the jitters are out,” she said.
Weather permitting, Kelseyville returns to action Wednesday in Willits at 4 p.m.
In other softball action Tuesday:
Middletown 14, Technology 0 (5 inn.)
At Middletown, winning for the second time in two days, the Middletown Mustangs cruised to another easy victory, this time at the expense of the Technology Titans of Rohnert Park. The Mustangs beat Willits 15-5 in six innings in their season opener Monday.
Middletown took all of the suspense out of this one with a 12-run bottom of the first. That was more than enough run support for winning pitcher Taluelah Madrid, who tossed a three-hitter while striking out 14 and walking three.
Ally Cherry sparked the Mustangs’ offense with a 3-for-3 days at the plate that included a double and three RBIs. Taylor Thompson (1-for-2) also drove in three runs while Jaylee Doris knocked in two runs. Madrid also helped her own cause by going 1-for-1 with a RBI.
Leahmya James West also had a hit for Middletown.
The Mustangs (2-0) remain home Friday to take on Justin-Siena at 4 p.m.
