KELSEYVILLE — Middletown scored five times in the top of the fifth to break open a close game and went on to beat the Kelseyville Indians 7-1 in the North Central League I North softball regular-season finale for both teams on Wednesday in Kelseyville.
Middletown (7-1 North, 12-5 overall) needed a win to clinch a share of the league title. Fort Bragg owns the other half. The Mustangs, who lost out on an automatic playoff berth in next week”s North Coast Section Class A playoffs by virtue of a number-draw tiebreaker, will apply for an at-large berth on Sunday.
“We have a very, very good shot at being the eighth team,” Middletown coach Lisa Rogers said of the eight-team playoff.
Lauren Giusti”s RBI single in the bottom of the first gave Kelseyville a 1-0 lead that held up until Middletown pushed ahead to stay with two runs in the top of the third.
“We held them tough until the fifth,” Kelseyville coach Greg Giusti said. “We gave them a couple of extra outs and it cost us.”
Winning pitcher Nicole Scott tossed a two-hitter, struck out nine and walked three. She has 194 strikeouts in 111 innings this season.
Megan Harrigan and Megan Andrew each had two hits for the Mustangs. Allyson Brown had the only other hit for the Indians, who finish 2-6 in league and 4-11 overall.
If Middletown reaches the playoffs, Lake County will have two teams in next week”s playoffs. Clear Lake clinched the outright NCL I South title on Tuesday and should be one of the top seeds in this year”s Class A field.
