UPPER LAKE — Devin Callen pitched six strong innings before tiring in the seventh and the Upper Lake Cougars held on to nip the Round Valley Warriors 4-3 in a non-league varsity baseball game on Thursday in Upper Lake.
Callen walked the first and only batter he faced in the top of the seventh, prompting Upper Lake head coach Don Meri to go to his bullpen for Jordan Hickey. A passed ball put the potential tying run at second base with no outs and the Round Valley baserunner then advanced to third on a deep flyout.
Hickey got the next batter to pop out to short left field. The final out of the game was a flyball to medium left field.
Callen allowed all six Round Valley hits, struck out five and walked four for the win. Hickey earned his second save in as many chances by retiring all three batters that he faced.
“He went out there and did what he had to do,” Meri said of Callen.
Third baseman Brandon Bills and Hickey, who started the game at shortstop, came up with big plays in the field, according to Meri, who said the Cougars played good defense when it mattered most.
Upper Lake (2-1) trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the fifth. Joe Barnes and Callen had back-to-back singles to open the inning, putting runners at first and second. Hickey followed with what proved to be the game-winning hit, a double smashed down the left-field line that cleared the bases. Hickey continued on to third when the relay throw got away for an error, but was thrown out one batter later trying to tag up and score on a shallow pop into right field.
“The throw beat him by a step,” Meri said.
Sam Wurm followed with a triple to right field but was stranded at third.
Callen worked a 1-2-3 top of the sixth to keep the game at 4-3.
Jayce Meri and Ben Raetz had the other Upper Lake hits.