Knights hang tough with league-leading Saints; Cougars lose to Eagles
Lake County Sports on Facebook
MIDDLETOWN >> Madelyn Garner gave the Lower Lake Trojans what is known in softball and baseball circles as a quality start, combining with reliever Crystal Pepper on a one-hitter Tuesday afternoon in a 9-5 North Central League I softball win over the Middletown Mustangs at Middletown.
“We needed a game like that,” Lower Lake head coach Julie Jackson said of Garner’s solid outing.
Garner allowed the only Middletown hit, a Hannah Tribby triple, and no earned runs during her four innings of work. She struck out three and walked only two. When she gave way to Pepper, Lower Lake (4-5 league, 5-8 overall) had a 7-2 lead.
“She was good today, she was legit,” Jackson said. “She set the tempo.”
Lower Lake upped its lead to 9-2 before Middletown (1-9, 2-10) struck for three runs in the bottom of the seventh against Pepper, who walked five and struck out two over the final three innings.
While the Mustangs were limited to a single hit, they had no shortage of baserunners, drawing seven walks with four hit batsmen.
Taluelah Madrid took the loss for Middletown. Tribby drove in two runs for the Mustangs, losers of six straight.
Eden Sparks went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs for Lower Lake while Hailee McRae (2-for-4, RBI), Shayla McGrath (2-for-4, double, RBI) and Kerrington Snyder (2-for-4) had two hits apiece. Marlene Jack, Jamiya Lee-Ayers, Monae Rodgers and Heidi Ortega also had hits.
Lower Lake hosts league-leading St. Helena (9-0) on Friday while Middletown hits the road to play Fort Bragg.
St. Helena 10, Kelseyville 7
At Kelseyville, the Kelseyville Knights threw a scare St. Helena’s way with a four-run bottom of the seventh and also out-hit the undefeated NCL I leaders 12-10.
“We had a strong showing at the plate,” Kelseyville head coach Brittany Rumfelt said. “We’re continuing to make strides offensively, with eight of our nine hitters producing, and we’re seeing steady growth on the defensive side as well.”
Losing pitcher Madison Byrne, the first of three Kelseyville pitchers, went 3-or-4 with a triple and two RBIs to spark the Knights at the plate. Brooke Poff went 2-for-4 with a double, Josie Keithly went 2-for-4 with a RBI, Vanessa Reyes went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, and Jordyn Wurm went 1-for-3 with a RBI. Ashlyn Wurm, Kat Wheelan Mati Mateer had Kelseyville’s other hits.
Lillian Grimes (1-for-3, three RBIs) homered for St. Helena (9-0, 12-5) while Anais Hernandez 2-for-3, RBI), Maycee Farrell (2-for-3, double, RBI) and Olive Filippini (1-for-3, double, RBI) led the Saints, winners of seven in a row.
Both teams return to action Friday when Kelseyville (4-5, 5-10) visits Upper Lake while St. Helena travels to Lower Lake.
Cloverdale 19, Upper Lake 3 (5 inn.)
At Cloverdale, the Cloverdale Eagles (8-1, 13-3) spotted Upper Lake (2-5, 4-6) a 1-0 lead in the top of the first before surging ahead with an eight-run bottom of the first.
“We definitely got out-hit today,” Upper Lake head coach Janice Kleri said. “Our outfield saw a lot of action as Cloverdale had some beautiful hits.”
Camryn Bird earned the pitching win but also had a huge day at the plate going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a home run and six RBIs.
The Eagles pounded out 16 hits to Upper Lake’s two.
Kylee Solorio went 1-for-2 with a triple and RBI for Upper Lake. Alyna Solorio had the Cougars’ other hit.
Bird struck out six and walked one in her three innings of work. Bella Stillman took the loss for Upper Lake.
Cloverdale visits Clear Lake on Thursday while Upper Lake returns home Friday to play Kelseyville.
