UKIAH — After losing a 10-9 decision in the first game of a Joe DiMaggio baseball doubleheader on Sunday at Mendocino College in Ukiah, Clear Lake never had a chance to earn a split against Mendocino.
Three innings into the second game, the nightcap was called because of smoke and falling ash, the result of numerous wildfires burning in the Ukiah area.
“By the third inning our eyes were watering and we had trouble breathing,” Clear Lake coach Gary Milhaupt said. “Outfielders could not see flyballs up in the smoke and ash was landing on the field. The umpires did the right thing by calling the game.”
Derek Milhaupt went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead Clear Lake at the plate. Other leaders were Bryan Strate, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs; Steven Smith, who went 2-for-4 with a RBI; and Josh King, who went 2-for-4 with a RBI.
Even if the weather conditions didn”t cooperate, playing on Mendocino College”s homefield turned out to be a good experience for Clear Lake”s players, according to Milhaupt.
“It was nice for our players to meet some of the baseball coaches from the college,” Milhaupt said.
