McRae’s solo shot not enough for Lower Lake in 10-5 loss to league-leading St. Helena
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UPPER LAKE >> Kelseyville’s Madison Byrne missed hitting for the cycle by the margin of a double Friday afternoon, going 4-for-5 with a triple, a two-run home run and four RBIs overall in a 15-4 win over the Upper Lake Cougars in North Central League I action at Upper Lake.
Byrne started on the mound for the Knights and worked 1 1/3 innings before giving way to AJ Wurm, who struck out 11 over the final 5 2/3 innings.
While Byrne hit the only home run for Kelseyville (5-5 league, 6-10 overall), it might have been a different story if Upper Lake played on a fenced field.
“If there had been a fence we likely would have recorded at least four home runs,” Kelseyville head coach Brittany Rumfelt said. “The team swung the bats with authority today, consistently driving the ball hard.”
Eight of Kelseyville’s 15 hits went for extra bases, including four triples and the Byrne home run. Vanessa Reyes (2-for-4) tripled twice and drove in three runs while Mati Mateer went 3-for-4. Jordyn Wurm had the other triple as well as a double.
“Byrne had an outstanding performance at the plate, finishing just a double shy of hitting for the cycle,” Rumfelt said. “Brooke Poff, Matisyn Mater, Jordyn Wurm, Josie Keithly and Vanessa Reyes also had great days at the plate. As a team, we tallied 15 hits, with many going for extra bases. It’s clear we’re beginning to find our rhythm and hit our stride at the right time.”
Poff went 2-for-3 while Keithly went 2-for-5 with a double. AJ Wurm also had a hit.
“The girls loved playing against their former (Upper Lake Middle School) teammates and old friends,” Upper Lake head coach Janice Klier said. “It’s all hugs and pictures after the game.”
Bella Stillman took the loss for Upper Lake, striking out eight and walking three.
Jordyn Parker went 2-for-4 with a double for Upper Lake while Alyna Solorio went 1-for-3 with a double.
The Cougars are 2-6 in league and 4-8 overall.
Both teams are back in action Tuesday when Kelseyville hosts Clear Lake and Upper Lake visits Lower Lake.
In other NCL I softball action Friday:
St. Helena 10, Lower Lake 5
At Lower Lake, Hailee McRae went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, Jamiya Lee-Ayers went 2-for-3 with a double, and Eden Sparks went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs as the Lower Lake Trojans fell to the NCL I-leading St. Helena Saints.
St. Helena improved to 10-0 in league and 13-5 overall while Lower Lake fell to 4-6 and 5-9.
The Saints scored three times in both the first and second innings to go up 6-2. St. Helena had a 10-2 lead when Lower Lake closed the gap with a three-run bottom of the sixth. McRae’s home run came in the second inning.
Winning pitcher Ada Blanton struck out 12 and walked none while allowing eight hits and three earned runs. Lower Lake starter Madelyn Garner worked the first 3 1/3 innings and took the loss, allowing eight runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four and walking three.
Blanton led the Saints at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs while teammates Ellie Carmichael and Malia Lund both went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI.
Both teams return to action Tuesday as Lower Lake hosts Upper Lake while St. Helena hosts Middletown.
Fort Bragg 16, Middletown 11
At Fort Bragg, Sarah Fetters went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs while Bella Alcantar (1-for-3) and Hannah Tribby (1-for-3) knocked in two runs apiece, but the Middletown Mustangs fell to the Fort Bragg Timberwolves, who made the most of 12 Middletown errors.
The Mustangs (1-10, 2-11) also were the beneficiaries of 16 walks issued by Fort Bragg pitching.
Autumn Clark went 1-for-3 with a RBI while Ash Thompson (1-for-3) also had a hit for the Mustangs.
Fort Bragg improved to 2-8 in the league standings. Middletown beat Fort Bragg 3-2 in nine innings April 13 in Middletown.
The Mustangs are on the road Tuesday to play St. Helena at 4 p.m.
