Trojans can’t hold lead in 11-10 softball loss to Fort Bragg Timberwolves
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KELSEYVILLE >> Kelseyville scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning to beat the Middletown Mustangs 5-3 in a rain-shortened North Central League I softball game Tuesday afternoon in Kelseyville.
The Knights (1-1 league, 2-6 overall) were still batting in the fifth when the game was called.
“It was one of those games that you had to see in person to get the full scope of events,” Kelseyville head coach Brittany Rumfelt said.
Winning pitcher Ashlyn Wurm scattered four hits, struck out seven and walked five as the Knights notched their first league win.
“Ashlyn Wurm threw great on the mound and came up clutch to end four of the five innings with either a strikeout or a dribbler to her,” Rumfelt said. “She showed great perseverance through weather, which is difficult when trying to spin a ball.”
Three of Wurm’s five walks came with rain falling, according to Rumfelt.
Josie Keithly (2-for-3) and Mati Mateer (2-for-4) had two hits apiece for the Knights.
“Josie Keithly continues to be a strong bat, and freshman Brooke Poff stepped up, going 1-for-2),” Rumfelt said.
Morgan Rogers had a key RBI single set up by a Paelynn Beall sacrifice bunt, and Vanessa Reyes also had a hit in the win.
Sarah Fetters tripled for one of Middletown’s hits. The Mustangs fall to 0-2 in league and 1-3 overall.
Both teams are on the road Friday for 4 p.m. games. Kelseyville visits St. Helena while Middletown travels to Lower Lake.
In other NCL I softball action Tuesday:
Fort Bragg 11, Lower Lake 10
At Fort Bragg, Fort Bragg rallied from a 7-1 deficit to beat the Lower Lake Trojans.
“We let our foot off the gas,” Lower Lake head coach Julie Jackson said. “We ran ourselves off the bases in a couple of innings. We definitely beat ourselves.”
Fort Bragg (1-1, 2-6) pushed ahead to stay with a five-run fifth inning that wiped an 8-5 Lower Lake lead. Trailing 11-9 going to the seventh, the Trojans scored a run but left the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position as the game ended with a foul popup.
While numerous mistakes hurt the Trojans, a bit of bad luck didn’t help either.
“In one inning they had three straight batters hit the ball off the end of the bat, like swinging bunts, just out of our range,” Jackson said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
On a more positive note, the Trojans (1-2, 2-5) made solid contact at the plate, including a bases-loaded single by Eden Sparks (2-for-5) that scored two runs.
Heidi Ortega was Lower Lake’s player of the game, according to Jackson. She not only went 3-for-4 with a double but made a diving catch in center field.
“She had a positive attitude the whole way,” Jackson said.
Losing pitcher Crystal Pepper also had three hits.
Other Lower Lake leaders were Leanna Ortega (2-for-4, two RBIs) and Hailee McRae (2-for-4, RBI).
Lower Lake hosts Middletown on Friday at 4 p.m.
