LAKEPORT — Ryan Richardson pitched a one-hitter and struck out 10 in his first start of the season and the Clear Lake Cardinals beat the Tomales Braves 12-1 in a non-league varsity baseball game Tuesday in Lakeport.
Tyler Beets” bases-loaded double with two outs in the bottom of the fifth drove in all three runners, at which point the game ended because of the 10-run rule.
“He threw to really good locations,” Clear Lake coach Paul Larrea said of Richardson, who struck out the side in the third. “He”s always on the corners or at the knees. When he”s pounding the zone he”s tough to hit.”
Clear Lake (3-0) hit the ball up and down its lineup. In fact, the 7-8-9 hitters in the Cardinals” batting order have struck out only a combined two times in three games.
“They”re rolling the lineup over to the top of the order,” Larrea said. “Those guys are getting on base and letting the big guys drive them in.”
Richardson, Jess Phillips and Jason Edwards had two RBIs apiece for the Cardinals. Brandon Disney went 1-for-2 with a triple and a RBI. Steven Edwards had a double and a RBI.
Beginning with a road doubleheader Saturday in Esparto, the Cardinals play six games in eight days.
