UPPER LAKE — Upper Lake built a 2-0 lead but eventually fell 4-2 to the St. Helena Saints in North Central League I South varsity baseball action on Monday in Upper Lake.
Anthony Driscoll”s RBI single in the bottom of the third and Devin Callen”s sacrifice fly in the fifth gave the Cougars a 2-0 advantage. St. Helena pushed ahead with a three-run sixth inning, the tie-breaking run scoring on a bases-loaded walk.
Lance McCloud went the distance on the mound for the Cougars (0-6 South, 3-16 overall), striking out seven and walking six.
“McCloud pitched a heck of a game,” Upper Lake coach Greg Smith said. “I think he was getting tired (in the sixth).”
A couple of close calls that went against the Cougars didn”t help, according to Smith.
“I hate to cry about umpires, but there were some disputed calls that heavily impacted the game,” he said.
Smith added that the Cougars also didn”t take advantage of opportunities that presented themselves, especially early in the game. One of those times was the bottom of the second when Upper Lake had runners at second and third with one out and didn”t score. The Cougars left the bases loaded in the inning.
“We had our opportunities and didn”t capitalize,” Smith said.
Gerald Thomas went 2-for-4 with a run for Upper Lake and Brandon Bills went 1-for-3 with a double and two stolen bases.
Upper Lake hosts Clear Lake today at 4 p.m. before closing out its season Thursday in Cloverdale.
