WILLOWS ? The Willows Honkers scored four times in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open a close game and beat the Kelseyville Knights 8-5 in a non-league varsity girls” softball game on Thursday in Willows.
It was the season opener for the Knights (0-1), who trailed 4-3 after four innings.
“I put in some young players after the fourth and we got beat up a little bit,” Kelseyville coach Greg Giusti said.
Casey Bowlin worked the first four innings for Kelseyville, striking out three and walking three.
Allyson Brown, Sara Johnson and Kelsey Sills each had a hit and a RBI for the Knights. Megan Andre also had a hit.
“We had too many strikeouts, we”ve got to be more aggressive at the plate,” Giusti said of one of his first impressions of the Knights” season-opening performance. “But for a first game given all the nerves, it was a good way to open the season. We looked pretty good.”
Two standouts in the field were Brown at third base and Johnson at catcher, according to Giusti.
“She gloved a ball about three feet over her head,” Giusti said of a leaping grab by Brown. “And Johnson threw out two runners trying to steal. She”s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Kelseyville returns home Thursday to play Rincon Valley Christian at 3:30 p.m.
In other action Thursday:
Baseball
Pierce 10, Upper Lake 0
At Upper Lake, the host Cougars committed five physical errors and at least as many mental ones in dropping their first game of the 2008 season.
“Our errors all kind of compounded themselves,” Upper Lake coach Don Meri said. “They”re a good ballclub and they capitalized on our mistakes.”
Upper Lake (1-1) was shut out on only five hits. Brandon Bills went 1-for-3 with a double and Joe Barnes, Devin Callen, Josh Stuckert and James Eubanks all added singles.
The game was called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.
Upper Lake starting pitcher Jordan Hickey took the loss, allowing eight runs and 14 hits in four innings. He struck out six and didn”t walk a batter.
The Cougars play at Potter Valley on Tuesday.
