MIDDLETOWN — Brad Bologna smacked a two-run home run in the first inning and Logan Smith went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a triple Tuesday afternoon as the Middletown Mustangs knocked off the Lower Lake Trojans 7-2 in North Central League I varsity baseball action at Middletown.
The Mustangs are 6-7 in league and 10-13 overall going into their regular-season finale Friday at home against Kelseyville (10-3, 11-7). Lower Lake closes out the season at 1-13 in league and 6-15 overall.
“He set the tone,” Middletown coach Mitch Tucker said of Smith, who had four of Middletown”s six hits.
Bologna”s first home run of the season gave the Mustangs a lead they would not relinquish although Lower Lake got as close as 3-2 in the top of the fifth before Middletown pulled away with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth.
The Mustangs also turned double plays in the fifth and sixth innings to thwart Lower Lake rallies.
“Luke Humphrey (second baseman) and Brad Bologna (shortstop) did a really nice job in the middle,” Tucker said.
Winning pitcher Blaine Amos worked 4 2/3 innings for the victory, allowing both Lower Lake runs in the top of the fifth. He struck out four and walked three.
Kyle Brown pitched the final two innings to earn the save, allowing a hit and striking out two.
Lower Lake starting pitcher Luis Martinez took the loss. He had one of the Trojans” four hits. Jeff Davis also had a double for the Trojans, who dropped their final 11 games.
The game was delayed between 15-20 minutes because of an ineligible Lower Lake player who showed up in uniform and initially refused to leave the playing area until prompted by a Middletown administrator. Once he finally left, the game got under way.
