MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Mustangs couldn”t recover from a crazy first inning and fell 9-2 to the Upper Lake Cougars in a North Central League I interlock softball game on Thursday in Middletown.
“We dug ourselves too deep a hole to climb out of,” Middletown coach Bob Cummesky said of Upper Lake”s seven-run top of the first.
The Cougars (8-2) had just two hits in the inning while also taking advantage of three hit batsmen, two walks and an error that made all seven runs unearned.
“We should have been out of the inning with no runs scored,” Cummesky said.
Taryn Re singled home two runs in the inning with two outs and Amber McQueen followed with a two-run double to left-center field.
“After the first inning we played a great softball game,” Cummesky said.
Losing pitcher Kristy Fiddler shut out the Cougars the next four innings before allowing two earned runs in the sixth. She finished with a five-hitter, striking out three, walking five and hitting six.
“Kristy stepped up big-time after the first,” Cummesky said.
Fiddler also flashed some leather, spearing two line drives and handling a hard-hit comeback to finally end the first inning.
Winning pitcher Katherine Edmonds also went the distance, scattering seven hits, striking out two, walking three and hitting three.
“Just about everyone got hit in this game,” Cummesky joked.
The Mustangs had plenty of chances but ended up stranding 12 runners.
“We left the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh innings,” Cummesky said.
Middletown”s two runs came in the bottom of the second.
Cummesky said he was impressed with the Cougars, who now own the best record among the county”s softball and baseball teams.
“It”s the best Upper Lake team I”ve seen in years,” Cummesky said. “Both of the Swaneys are legitimate players,” he added of third baseman Jessica Swaney and catcher Rebecca Swaney.
“Those two together have the best chemistry,” Upper Lake coach Kelly Coburn said.
“The girls did play well today and we”re looking forward to playing Clear Lake on Tuesday (in Upper Lake),” Coburn said.
McQueen went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Cougars. Freshman Cheyanne Horvath led the Mustangs, going 2-for-4 in her first varsity game. She singled in her first at-bat, punching the ball into left field.
