UKIAH — In a game that featured only four hits — all by Clear Lake — the Cardinals Brittany Rumfelt tossed a no-hitter and struck out nine in a 3-1 win over the Sonoma Dragons in the opening round of the Ukiah Softball Tournament at Ukiah High School.
The game was called after six complete innings because of a tournament time rule.
She was hitting the outside corner really well, Clear Lake coach Gary Pickle said of his junior left-hander, who faced just four batters over the minimum.
And when Sonoma s hitters began to crowd the plate in an attempt to reach Rumfelt s pitches, Clear Lake s staff ace switched tactics, pounding the inside corner.
She threw really well, Pickle said.
Rumfelt walked one and hit one — to lead off the bottom of the first and the Dragons went on to score their only run on a passed ball. The only other two Sonoma players to reach base did so on errors and never advanced past first.
That was a good team, Pickle said of the Dragons, who compete in the Sonoma County League.
Clear Lake staked Rumfelt to all the run support she would need with two in the top of the first. Haley Sanderson drew a two-out walk, stole second and scored on Rumfelt s double down the left-field line. Amanda Espinoza followed with a single to chase home Rumfelt.
Clear Lake added its final run in the fifth on a passed ball, that after bunt singles by Samantha Espinoza and Emilee Meyer and a hit batsman (Rumfelt) loaded the bases full of Cardinals.
Clear Lake draws St. Vincent today in the winner s semifinal round at noon. If the Cardinals win, they ll advance to the championship game at 4 p.m. If they lose, they ll play in the third-place game.
The Cardinals return home on Tuesday afternoon to play defending North Central League I and North Coast Section Class A champion Cloverdale in a key league game at 4 p.m. On Wednesday, the Cardinals play St. Vincent again this time in an NCL I South contest at 4 p.m.
