LOWER LAKE — Anthony Lucchesi wiggled out of a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the top of the second inning and went on to toss a complete-game five-hitter as the Lower Lake Trojans knocked off the Middletown Mustangs 9-2 in the North Central League I North varsity baseball opener for both teams on Tuesday in chilly Lower Lake.
After Lucchesi worked out of trouble in the top of the second, his Lower Lake teammates staked him to a 5-0 lead with five runs in the bottom half.
“This is the first time I”ve ever been in first place in my four seasons here, even after one (league) game,” Lower Lake coach Chris Denny said.
Lower Lake (1-0 North, 4-8 overall) was coming off a poor showing in the West County Classic over spring break. The Trojans not only lost all three tournament games, but they were blown out by a combined score of 41-9.
“I think the kids were embarrassed by that,” Denny said. “Today it was completely different. They were talking about nothing but baseball.”
Lower Lake didn”t commit an error and pounded out a season-best 10 hits to support Lucchesi, who struck out 10 and walked seven. He threw 130 pitches.
C.J. Farlow went 3-for-4 for the Trojans, Joel Valencia went 2-for-3 and Kevin Freeman went 1-for-2 with two RBIs.
Zach Strickler went 2-for-4 for Middletown (0-1, 5-9).
Losing pitcher Kelley McKinley struck out eight and walked six in five innings. Team ace Jake Strickler was held out because of a “tender arm,” according to Middletown coach Mitch Tucker.
“We were not overlooking Lower Lake,” Tucker said of the decision to start McKinley over Strickler. “Kelley has been throwing the ball well and he threw well today, too,” Tucker said. “We just made two many errors. Our youth and inexperience showed.”
McKinley went 1-for-2 with a triple and Justin Woodd went 1-for-3 with a RBI.
In other baseball action Tuesday:
Clear Lake 4, St. Helena 0
At Lakeport, Mike Zimmerman combined with Nate Velez on a three-hitter as the Clear Lake Cardinals opened NCL I South play by shutting out the St. Helena Saints.
Zimmerman, a left-hander, struck out 10 and walked two before giving way to Velez, who pitched a perfect seventh. Zimmerman also helped himself at the plate, singling home a run in the fourth inning to make it 2-0 and doubling home Clear Lake”s final two runs in the sixth.
“He strikes out 10 and drives in three runs, what more can you ask?” Clear Lake coach Brian Figg said. “A lot of credit for the win goes to him.”
Velez spent the first six innings behind the plate and threw out two runners.
St. Helena did not advance a runner past second base.
Cloverdale 15, Upper Lake 0
At Upper Lake, Cloverdale pitcher Mitch Delfino shut out the Upper Lake Cougars on four hits in the NCL I South opener for both teams.
The Eagles also did plenty of hitting and fielding, according to Upper Lake coach Joe Ogulin.
“They got their bats on the ball (17 hits), but they”re a very good defensive team,” Ogulin said of the Eagles, who didn”t a commit an error.
Max Curtis went 2-for-3 for the Cougars (0-1, 7-7).
Softball
Cloverdale 15, Upper Lake 0
At Upper Lake, the Cloverdale Eagles blanked the Upper Lake Cougars in the NCL I South softball opener for both teams.
Caity Falge had three of the Cougars” four hits.
“We”re having a problem with dedication and focus right now,” said Upper Lake coach Justin Dutcher, who said two of his starters missed the game to attend another school activity. “We were really shorthanded.”
Upper Lake is 0-1 in league and 7-5 overall.
Tennis
Kelseyville 5, Geyserville 0
Bouncing back from a 3-2 loss to the Middletown Mustangs in their previous Coastal Mountain Conference match, the Kelseyville Knights beat the Geyserville Bronchos, winning all five matches in straight sets.
Kelseyville winners were Keith Hulsey, 6-0, 6-0 over Spencer Gevas in first singles; Stuart Davy, 6-3, 6-0 over Ryan Fairlee in second singles; Luke Kriken, 6-0, 6-0 over Kayla Singley in third singles; David Van Buskirk and Evan Campbell, 7-5, 6-0 over Omar Sanchez and Joe Bensin in first doubles; and Jill Bailey and Lauren Nixon, 6-1, 6-1 over Amanda Matson and Alice Read in second doubles.
Kelseyville also won an exhibition doubles match as Craig Hulsey and Dave Ferrario beat Morgan Chiantella and Luke Gevas 6-1, 6-0.
JV baseball
Lower Lake 8, Middletown 6
At Lower Lake, Stephen Whit-comb struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings to pick up the victory and he also went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the Lower Lake junior varsity baseball team to a win over Middletown in the NCL I North opener for both teams.
Curtis Eeds went 2-for-4 with a double, triple and a RBI for Lower Lake.
Losing pitcher Daniel Sallee went 3-for-4 with a triple for Middletown.
