Kelseyville opens new season with 10-6, 14-5 losses to Fortuna
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FORTUNA >> With a roster that includes nine freshmen, there definitely will be some obstacles for head coach Brittany Rumfelt and the Kelseyville High School softball team to overcome this season.
Kelseyville took its first steps in 2026 on Thursday afternoon with a season-opening non-league doubleheader against the Fortuna Huskies in Fortuna. Kelseyville lost both ends, falling 10-6 in the opener and 14-5 in a five-inning second game called early because of darkness.
The Knights (0-2) rallied to tie the opener with two runs in the top of the sixth before the Huskies (2-0) broke the 6-6 tie with four runs in the bottom half.
“Madisyn Byrne for her first high school game pitched great,” Rumfelt said of the freshman. Byrne allowed five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking 10.
Senior shortstop AJ Wurm (2-for-4) homered in her first at-bat of the season and later doubled.
“Kathryn Wheelan played solid defense (in center field),” said Rumfelt, who added that gusty winds added a degree of difficulty for fielding anything hit in the air Thursday.
“Overall, we saw potential for a young team,” Rumfelt said.
AJ Wurm knocked in two runs as did Josie Keithly (1-for-4). Jordyn Wurm went 1-for-2 with a double while Wheelan walked four times and had an RBI.
Game two
Kelseyville was trailing 4-1 going to the bottom of the third inning in game two when Fortuna batted around and scored 10 times. The Knights were able to get a little bit closer with a four-run fifth before running out of daylight.
AJ Wurm took the loss after working the first 3 1/3 innings. She allowed five hits, struck out one and walked two before Byrne finishing up, striking out three and walking two over the final 1 2/3 innings.
AJ Wurm (2-for-3) had two of the Knights’ seven hits. Josie Keithly homered while Morgan Rogers (1-for-3) doubled home three runs. Byrne (1-for-3), Mati Mateer (1-for-4) and Gabby Keyes (1-3) also had hits.
The Knights hit the road Tuesday to play Cardinal Newman in Santa Rosa at 4 p.m.