MIDDLETOWN — Victoria Alessandra scattered five hits and didn”t allow an earned run as the Middletown Mustangs beat Calistoga ace Nicole Taylor 4-1 in a non-league softball game that ended in the snow Thursday afternoon at Middletown.
“It snowed in the seventh inning,” Middletown coach Bob Cummesky said. “The girls were complaining last week that it was too hot. Not today.”
Calistoga, which has scored 10 or more runs in four of its six wins this season, dropped to 6-2.
“She”s a very, very solid pitcher,” Cummesky said of the senior Taylor, who allowed six hits, struck out nine and didn”t walk a batter. “I told the girls she is as good as you will see from here on out.”
Alessandra struck out four and walked four as Middletown (3-6) equaled its win total of last season (3-17).
“It was time for a win,” Cummesky said.
Middletown scored in the bottom of the first and led the rest of the way. The Mustangs added to their lead with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a 4-0 cushion. Calistoga scored in the top of the sixth.
Alessandra worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth, getting a force play at the plate and then a double play to end the inning. On the double play, center fielder Kiley Agapoff made a running catch in the right-center field gap and then alertly relayed the ball to second baseman Roshell Dunlap to double up the runner.
Shortstop Maria Castaldo made a running catch behind the bag at second in the top of the seventh to end the game.
“We played some decent defense,” Cummesky said. “The kids played well, played solid and for once the breaks went our way.”
Kristiana Outen went 2-for-3 with a RBI and Cheyanne Horvath went 1-for-3 with two RBIs for Middletown. Lexi Monhoff and Lindsey Taylor had two hits apiece for Calistoga (6-2).
Middletown hosts Clear Lake (7-0) today at 4 p.m.
