Eagles, Lancers, Vikings all notch middle school softball victories
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LUCERNE >> Chevelle Sprague’s two-run double allowed the Lucerne Eagles to a walk off with a wild 12-11 win over the Middletown Broncos in middle school softball action Wednesday in Lucerne.
Coming off their first win of the season against Obsidian on Monday, the Eagles made it two victories in a row, this one coming after an incredible eight-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, the final five runs scoring – including the last two knocked in by Sprague – with two outs.
“Lucerne beats Middletown for the first time in probably a decade,” Lucerne head coach Fred Miller said.
With all the offense delivered by the Eagles in the bottom of the sixth to win the game, it was a Lucerne defensive play in the top half of the inning that provided the spark for the winning rally.
A Middletown player was cut down on a 7-6-2 play at the plate, left fielder Alexis Sims hitting cutoff man Sophie Basurto at shortstop, and Basurto’s relay throw arriving in time for catcher Ally Abreu to apply the tag to the sliding baserunner.
“The momentum shifted,” Miller said.
Sprague finished 3-for-4. Natalia Harley went 2-for-3 with a RBI and three runs scored, Aliana Smith went 1-for-3 with a RBI, and both Sims and Lola Kelly went 1-for-2 with a RBI.
For Middletown, now 3-5 in league play and 7-5 overall, Emma Davis went 2-for-3 with a triple, Ella DelZompo and losing pitcher Lilliaunna Reyes both doubled twice and drove in two runs, and Alina Kilstrom and Sophie Stetson each went 2-for-3 with a RBI.
Winning pitcher Angelina Gozony struck out nine and walked four.
Lucerne’s eighth-graders were honored during the final home game of the season.
Middletown plays Pomolita Middle School on Thursday in Ukiah. Lucerne travels to Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville on Monday.
In other middle school softball action Wednesday:
Mountain Vista 13, Obsidian 5
At Clearlake Oaks, Taylor Woods went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and Gabby Keyes (2-for-4) doubled and knocked in four runs as the Mountain Vista Lancers beat the Obsidian Bears.
Winning pitcher Madi Byrne went the distance, striking out 10.
“Madi pitched great, our offense came alive, and the defense was sound,” Mountain Vista head coach Patrick Mick said.
Kiera Mick went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs for the Lancer, 3-5 in league and 7-5 overall, and Carly Gleason went 2-for-3.
“Our offense came alive, the defense was sound,” Mick said. “It was a great, all-around team win. The girls had a lot of energy today.”
Mick credited catcher Paelynn Beall with a strong effort on offense and defense.
“She played well behind the plate and got hit by the pitch four times today,” Mick said. “She got taken out behind the plate by an Obsidian baserunner. She played tough today and was already showing off her bruises after the game.”
Mountain Vista host Lucerne on Monday.
Terrace 13, Upper Lake 3 (5 inn.)
At Upper Lake, Amelie Davis went 3-for-4 with a double and a triple to back the pitching of Sophie Gonzalez as the Terrace Vikings beat the Upper Lake Wildcats in five innings.
“The team played great as a whole,” Terrace head coach Lynn Cruz said. “The bats were solid and the defense was on point.”
Cassie Gamez (2-for-4) and Rilee Sperber both had doubles for the Vikings, and Alessandra Zavala went 1-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
For Upper Lake, Kylee Solorio (2-for-2) doubled and hit a two-run homer, finishing with three RBIs overall. Jordin Hughes also doubled.
“Hats off to Terrace, they played a really tough game today,” Upper Lake coach Wyatt Hensley said. “We had a lot of errors that we just couldn’t come back from.”
