Middletown junior pitcher strikes out 16 as Mustangs knock off Trojans 9-1
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MIDDLETOWN >> Taluelah Madrid had her way with the Lower Lake High School lineup on Friday, striking out 16, as the Middletown Mustangs beat the Lower Lake Trojans 9-1 in North Central League I softball action at Middletown.
“I was very proud of Taluelah Madrid,” Middletown head coach Bob Gunion said. “She is getting better every game.”
Madrid, a junior, allowed only three hits, all singles, while walking one. She had a 7-0 lead to work with before Lower Lake (1-1 league, 3-6-1) broke up the shutout with a run in the top of the fifth inning.
“The girls’ effort was awesome,” Gunion said. “Ali Cherry at shortstop had a good game. Sarah Fetters was the leader we needed today. I was pleased to see the team come together and have a game they are capable of playing.”
Fetters went 2-for-4 and Cherry 1-for-3 as Middletown squared its league record at 1-1 while improving to 4-3 and snapping a three-game losing streak.
Madrid, Taylor Thompson, Leahmya West and Beverly Fetters also had hits for the Mustangs.
If Gunion was pleased with the Mustangs’ performance, it was just the opposite reaction for Lower Lake co-head coach Julie Jackson.
“As a whole we didn’t come ready to play,” Jackson said. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Jackson said her team’s effort against Middletown mirrored recent practices, which have not been good.
“We thought we could roll in her and beat them,” Jackson said.
Leanna Ortega, Kerrington Snyder and Mia Garcia had Lower Lake’s only hits.
Lower Lake starting pitcher Aly Aguirre worked the first five innings, allowing five hits, 10 walks and nine runs (seven earned). She struck out five.
Middletown scored at least one run in every inning.
The two teams split their league meetings a year ago, each winning at the other’s homefield.
Middletown travels to St. Helena on Monday and stays on the road Tuesday to play Fort Bragg. Lower Lake hosts St. Helena on Tuesday.
