Lower Lake softball drops both ends of non-league doubleheader
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LOWER LAKE >> Outscored 26-3, it was a long day on the field for the Lower Lake High School softball team during a non-league doubleheader Saturday against the McKinleyville Panthers in Lower Lake.
McKinleyville (5-5) won the opener 10-0 before taking the nightcap 16-3.
The Panthers did almost all of their damage in game one in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of Lower Lake defensive miscues to score nine times. Mariah Bal pitched a complete game for the Trojans (3-5-1), allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out nine and walking two. After the disastrous first inning, the Trojans didn’t allow another run until the seventh.
Lower Lake’s offense also struggled, producing just four hits, all singles. Aly Aguirre, Leanna Ortega, Jamiya Lee-Ayers and Heidi Ortega each had one hit.
Second game
Game two of the doubleheader brought no relief for Lower Lake as McKinleyville built a 5-0 lead in the first two innings before the Trojans scored all of their runs in the bottom of the third. The Panthers pulled away with three runs in the fourth, four in the sixth and four more in the seventh.
Lower Lake’s four hits were split between Aliana Barnes, who went 2-for-3 with a RBI, and Heidi Ortega, who went 2-for-4 with a double.
Losing pitcher Aguirre went the distance, allowing 10 earned runs on eight hits. She struck out two and walked 12.
The Trojans remain home Tuesday to play Fort Bragg in a North Central League I game at 4 p.m.
