LAKEPORT — Liz Sanderson pitched a two-hitter in her 2009 debut and first baseman Corinne McKinney went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs as the Clear Lake Cardinals roughed up the Lower Lake Trojans 21-2 in a non-league softball game Friday afternoon at Lakeport.
It was the season opener for both teams.
“We had some really nice swings today,” Clear Lake coach Gary Pickle said of the 20 hits the Cardinals collected in the 4 1/2-inning game, which was called because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Shortstop Kaila Sterbank led the way for the Cardinals (1-0) with a 4-for-4 day that included two doubles, a triple, three runs and two RBIs, and catcher Mori Jordan went 2-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBIs.
While the Cardinals are a veteran team for the most part, Pickle said both clubs were feeling the first-game jitters.
“It was a first game and everyone was nervous,” Pickle said.
An error and a wild pitch by the Cardinals in the top of the first allowed Lower Lake to jump ahead 1-0. Clear Lake then moved ahead to stay with a five-run bottom of the first. The Cardinals added eight more runs in the second and they also had a seven-run fourth.
“I know Lower Lake will get better,” Pickle said. “They just looked a little tight today.”
Winning pitcher Sanderson allowed one earned run, struck out five and walked only one.
“She threw the ball well,” Pickle said. “Her fastball was really good.”
In other softball action Friday:
Upper Lake 9, Potter Valley 6
At Upper Lake, winning pitcher Jackie Lovrin went 4-for-4 with a RBI and Ashley Arroyo also had four hits and a RBI as the Upper Lake Cougars opened the season with non-league win over the Potter Valley Bearcats.
Sierra Coleman, Lisa Irwin and Laura Wold had three hits apiece for the Cougars (1-0), who were just 1-14 last season.
“It was awesome, I”m happy with what I have,” Upper Lake coach Kelly Coburn said. “Even my bench is strong.”
Leading 6-5 going to the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars scored three times to put the game away.
Lovrin struck out four and walked five in five innings.
Baseball
Middletown 16, Lick-Wilmerding 6
At San Bruno, Dylan Galusha tossed a two-hitter and John Hays went 3-for-3 and drove in six runs as the Middletown Mustangs opened a new season by handing Lick-Wilmerding of San Francisco its first loss in four games.
The contest was stopped after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Middletown (1-0) led 5-0 after two innings but Lick-Wilmerding pulled even with a five-run third. The Mustangs went back in front to stay during a four-run fourth, Hays” two-run single snapping a 5-all tie.
“It was a tough day to pitch,” Middletown coach Mitch Tucker said. “It was cold and windy and we also had some long innings where Dylan was sitting around a long time, so he never found that rhythm and control.”
Galusha struck out two, walked four and hit five. He allowed two earned runs.
Middletown scored in four of its five at-bats and Hays figured in every rally. He singled home a run in the first, singled to drive in two runs in both the second and fourth innings, and walked to force home a run during a seven-run fifth.
Brett Humphrey went 2-for-4 with a RBI and scored twice and Johnny Harmyk went 1-for-2 with a double and three RBIs for Middletown.
“I”m cautiously optimistic,” Tucker said when asked about Middletown”s chances this season. “We”ve got a lot of returning players, we”re a veteran team.”
Middletown is home Tuesday to play Tomales and away next Friday against St. Vincent.
Elsie Allen 8, Lower Lake 0
At Santa Rosa, the Lower Lake Trojans opened a new baseball season with a shutout loss to Elsie Allen of Santa Rosa. Joe Riggs” first-inning single was all the offense the Trojans (0-1) could muster in their season opener. Riggs also had a walk.
“It”s a great group, but we”ve got a lot of seniors out playing for the first time, so their baseball knowledge is not there yet,” Lower Lake coach Chris Emberson said.
One bright spot, according to Emberson, was that the Trojans struck out only three times.
“We did put the ball in play, but we hit it at people,” Emberson added.
Lower Lake has a busy week ahead with road games at El Molino on Monday, at Potter Valley on Wednesday, and at Pierce on Thursday.
Potter Valley 5, Upper Lake 2
At Upper Lake, the Upper Lake Cougars fell to Potter Valley in the season opener for both teams even though the Bearcats managed just three hits off two Upper Lake pitchers.
Starter Sloan Hennig, pitching his first game ever, worked the first 3 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking six. Devin Callen relieved and pitched no-hit ball over the final 3 1/3 innings. However, he also walked two and both runners eventually scored.
“For pitching his first game ever, I thought Sloan did great,” Upper Lake coach Greg Smith said.
Lance McCloud went 2-for-3 with a RBI and two stolen bases and Brandon Bills went 2-for-2 with a double to account for Upper Lake”s four hits. Antonio DiConza walked twice and scored both of the Cougars” runs.
“We didn”t hit the ball with much authority,” Smith said. “But we didn”t strike out a lot either.”
Tennis
Kelseyville 4, Rincon Valley 1
At Santa Rosa, the Kelseyville Knights concluded their home-and-away series with Rincon Valley Christian with a win, losing only in second doubles. The Knights also beat the Eagles 5-0 as week ago in Kelseyville, the season opener for both teams.
“We”re looking very strong this year,” Kelseyville coach Jeff McLaren said. “Everybody played solid tennis, they”re just trusting their strokes.”
Kelseyville”s sweep in singles included Stuart Davy”s 7-5, 6-3 win over Kevin Klein; Moses Kuzu”s 6-0, 6-3 win over Mae Bartholow; and Luke Kriken”s 6-1, 6-3 victory over Christian Norton.
The Knights also won in first doubles as Dave Ferrario and Andor Benyei beat Mary Meihaus and Erin Ferrarli 6-2, 6-3.
Rincon Valley”s Joshua Martin and Paul Fletcher beat Glenn Mostin and Alex Stempe 7-6 (7-0), 6-7 (7-1), 11-9 in second doubles.
The Knights are off until March 24 when they host St. Helena.
