The Upper Lake Cougars surged ahead with a four-run bottom of the first inning, but the Lower Lake Trojans scored the game”s next eight runs and went on to win 11-7 in North Central League I interlock varsity baseball action on Friday at Upper Lake.
Anthony Lucchesi worked the first six innings for the victory as Lower Lake improved to 2-1 on the season, surpassing its win total of last season ? the Trojans finished 1-13. Kevin Freeman pitched the seventh and survived a bases-loaded jam without allowing a run.
“Errors are what killed us,” Upper Lake coach Joe Ogulin said of the seven combined fielding and throwing errors by the Cougars (4-2). “We allowed one earned run.”
“They did make errors in the field and we capitalized on them,” Lower Lake coach Chris Denny said. “That”s what you”re supposed to do and this team will.”
Lower Lake answered Upper Lake”s first-run first with a four-run second, then moved ahead to stay with a run in the top of the fourth. The Trojans tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth for an 8-4 lead.
“These kids won”t put their heads down,” Denny said. “They believe in themselves.”
The Cougars clawed their way back to 8-7 with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, but the Trojans struck for three big runs in the top of the seventh to extend their lead.
Jake Sanders went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for the Trojans and Joe Barnes went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Cougars.
A Lower Lake baserunner and an Upper Lake infielder exchanged words at second base in the top of the seventh and the two players had to be separated, according to Ogulin.
“There was some bad blood,” Ogulin said.
“It was both kids” fault,” Denny said. “I won”t let that take away anything from our victory.”
More words were exchanged between the two teams following the game, according to Ogulin.
“Our bats are still there,” Ogulin said of his team”s eight hits and we scored enough to win. But it was errors, errors, errors.”
Losing pitcher Billy Binns worked all seven innings for the Cougars, striking out seven but also issuing seven walks.
“We went the entire way and threw the ball well. I was happy with that,” Ogulin said.
“We”re putting the bat on the ball. We played well, I”m happy,” Denny said.
