Kelseyville clinches winning North Central League I record with victory over Upper Lake
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KELSEYVILLE >> The Kelseyville Knights pulled away for a 12-5 North Central League I softball win over the Upper Lake Cougars on Wednesday afternoon in Kelseyville.
Upper Lake (3-10 league, 5-11 overall) scored twice in the top of the third inning against Kelseyville starting pitcher Vanessa Reyes to cut the Knights’ lead to 6-5, but the Cougars were blanked the final four innings by reliever AJ Wurm, who shut out Upper Lake on one hit while striking out six and walking one.
Wurm, one of two seniors honored by the Knights on senior day – Kat Wheelan was the other – also went 1-for-3 with a RBI as Kelseyville (8-6, 9-12) clinched a winning league record as well as fourth place in the league standings. The Knights will apply for an at-large berth in next week’s North Coast Section playoffs. Playoff brackets will be revealed Sunday.
“It was great way to finish the regular season with a win, especially on senior night,” Kelseyville head coach Brittany Rumfelt said. “Unfortunately, senior Kathryn Wheelan was unable to play due to injury, but it meant a lot to have her there with the team. Ashlyn Wurm closed the game in fitting fashion with a swinging strikeout to secure the victory.”
Added Rumfelt of her team’s performance, “Vanessa Reyes stepped up in the circle and dis a fantastic job, continuing to give us quality innings when we’ve needed them most. Josie Keithly also made several outstanding defensive plays that helped keep momentum on our side throughout the game, while Jordyn Wurm consistently hit the ball hard and provided a spark offensively. We also had several younger athletes rise to the occasion over the past two games. Freshmen Brooke Poff, Taylor Wood, Gabriella Keyes, Quinn Seifert, Carly Gleason, Alchi’Deebah Anerson, Kiera Mick and Paelynn Beall all contributed in important ways to help finish the wins.”
After Upper Lake cut Kelseyville’s lead to 6-5, Kelseyville scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth and twice more in the fifth to make it 12-5.
Reyes and Poff had two hits apiece for the Knights while Wurm doubled and drove in two runs. Keithly and Wood both had RBIs.
Addison Vipond went 3-for-4 with a double for Upper Lake while Aubree Sperber went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Alyna Solorio and Jordyn Parker added two hits apiece and Kyra Santos doubled.
Upper Lake starting pitcher Kylee Solorio worked the first four innings and took the loss.
“I’d like to give a shoutout to Kelseyville senior AJ Wurm for a stellar softball career,” Upper Lake head coach Janice Klier said. “I was honored to coach you through middle school where you kept me busy buying you home run milkshakes every week. It has been my pleasure to watch you grow into such an amazing young lady. Lake County sports will not be the same without you, and I wish you much success in your future endeavors.”
Upper Lake hosts Lower Lake in the league and season finale for both teams Thursday at 4 p.m.