LOWER LAKE — Madeline Harris hit a grand slam and the offensive-minded Willits Wolverines beat the Lower Lake Trojans 14-6 in a North Central League I North softball game on Friday afternoon in Lower Lake.
Both teams put a run on the scoreboard in the opening inning. Willits (4-1) moved ahead to stay with a five-run second and then added five more runs in the third for an 11-1 lead. Lower Lake (2-3 North, 5-9 overall) closed to 11-5 in the bottom of the third but couldn”t generate enough offense to catch the Wolverines, who trail only Fort Bragg (4-0) in the North standings.
“We didn”t make the routine plays again,” Lower Lake coach Tim Sherrell said of four Trojan errors. “Throw in eight walks and we”re not helping ourselves.”
Isabelle Azbill hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh for the game”s final run.
“It was a line drive into the wind and it went over the fence,” Sherrell said.
Losing pitcher Kristen Garcia went 2-for-4 for the Trojans. She struck out eight and walked eight.
Harris” grand slam to right field appeared to be nothing more than a fly ball when itl left the bat, according to Sherrell.
“It seemed like a pop fly but the wind kept pushing it,” he said.
The Trojans have a busy week ahead. They travel to Middletown on Tuesday, return home Thursday to take on Clear Lake, then hit the road Friday for a rematch with Willits.
