Lower Lake seniors collect three hits apiece in league, regular-season finale
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UPPER LAKE >> Crystal Pepper pitched a gem while senior third baseman Jamiya Lee-Ayers ended her softball career with a bang Thursday afternoon as the Lower Lake Trojans defeated the Upper Lake Cougars 11-4 in the North Central League I and season finale for both teams at Upper Lake.
Pepper pitched six innings in relief of starter Madelyn Garner, shutting out the Cougars (3-11 league, 5-12 overall) on only two hits while striking out six and walking only one.
“She’s made so much progress this year,” Lower Lake head coach Julie Jackson said of Pepper, a junior. “There is no off button for her. She wants to do what she does … and that’s hard to find these days. From her first practice, first game to now, she had really improved.”
Lee-Ayers, one of only three seniors on the Lower Lake squad, went 3-for-4 with a RBI while recording the final out of the game from her position at third base.
“She had a day and so did Hailee McRae,” Jackson said of the two seniors.
McRae went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Jackson also praised the play of freshman Eden Sparks, who initiated another 6-3 double play, and second baseman Kerrington Snyder and Shayla McGrath.
While the Trojans had hoped to do better than 6-8 in league and 7-11 overall this season, according to Jackson, the veteran coach said the 2026 squad was an all-around pleasure to coach.
“We did improve during the season,” Jackson said. “This was my favorite year as a coach. “The progress, the work ethic didn’t come easy, it came slowly, but that’s the way it is sometimes. You can’t always get to where you want to be right away. It takes hard work.”
Added Jackson, “They wanted to be better. I haven’t seen that in a few years. I wouldn’t have traded them for anything.”
The team also honored its MVP following play against Upper Lake, though that honor didn’t go to one of the players.
“Our MVP is Ashley Lee, our photographer, GameChanger person, team mom,” Jackson said. “She is the real MVP. Anything I needed, she didn’t hesitate. She’s like an assistant coach behind the scenes, always doing something for us.”
Jackson said Lee was presented with a medal in order to recognize her many contributions.
Like the Trojans, the Cougars are a young squad with only one senior, Camila Martin, who was honored during the team’s final home game of the season.
“Her leadership laid a solid foundation for our young team to follow, and she will be greatly missed,” Upper Lake head coach Janice Klier said.
Jordyn Parker went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Cougars in their final game. Kylee Solorio tripled while Addie Vipond (1-for-4, RBI), losing pitcher Bella Stillman (1-for-3 RBI) and Kyra Santos (1-for-3) all added hits.
Stillman pitched a complete game, striking out two and walking four.
For Lower Lake, Marlene Jack went 2-for-4, Pepper went 1-for-2 with a RBI, and McGrath went 1-for-2 with a double and RBI.
