Lower Lake senior strikes out 10, allows only two runners in 12-0 victory
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LOWER LAKE >> Mariah Ball allowed just two runners while pitching a no-hitter against the Upper Lake Cougars in a 12-0 North Central League I varsity softball win Friday afternoon in Lower Lake.
Portia Klier led off the game with a grounder to shortstop that was mishandled for an error. The only other Upper Lake batter to reach base did so by drawing a walk.
“She was hitting her spots and getting her off-speed pitch over,” Lower Lake co-head coach Julie Jackson said of Bal.
Lower Lake (2-2 league, 4-7-1 overall) wasted no time taking the lead in the bottom of the first, scoring twice off losing pitcher Aimee Schaefers. The Trojans added to their lead with four more runs in the second, three in the third and three in the fifth, at which point the game was called because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Jackson said the Trojans came into a game with a sense of purpose and urgency.
“In warmups, at the start of the game and throughout the entire game, they were focused,” Jackson said. “This is the team we’ve been waiting for.”
Co-head coach Tara Downey agreed, adding that the Trojans realize they haven’t played up to their capabilities to date, and are looking forward to the rest of their league schedule.
“Our team showed up today,” Downey said.
Leanna Ortega (2-for-4) had a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double to spark the Lower Lake offense, Heidi Ortega went 3-for-4, and Aly Aguirre and Kierstyn Lambert added run-scoring singles.
The Trojans are still striking out too much, according to Jackson, but hit the ball better Friday than they have in previous league outings.
Bal, who set a Lake County single-season home run record a year ago as junior, blasting eight, remains stuck on two this year as opposing teams aren’t giving her much to hit. She walked three times and was hit by a pitch in four plate appearances against Upper Lake.
“We’ve had a slow start with a few hurdles, a few obstacles in front of us, but we have a bright future ahead in league,” Jackson said.
Schaefers struck out nine and walked 10 during her complete-game effort.
Lower Lake’s scheduled game Tuesday with Clear Lake has been postponed and rescheduled for early May. The Trojans return to action Friday at home against Cloverdale. Upper Lake hits the road Tuesday to play Middletown.
JV softball
Lower Lake 21, Upper Lake 7
At Upper Lake, pitcher Crystal Pepper struck out five and helped her own cause with a home run as the Lower Lake junior varsity softball team beat Upper Lake in a five-inning game.
Monae Roger went 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Trojans and Marlene Jack drove in four runs. Hailee McRae and Victoria Bradley also had hits.
“Great game today,” Lower Lake coach Kayla Doud said. “Our defense really came together and our bats started to come around. In the fourth inning we had an amazing pickle play executed perfectly.”