MIDDLETOWN — St. Helena upset the Middletown Mustangs 3-2 in a Coastal Mountain Conference tennis match on Thursday afternoon in Middletown, essentially dropping the Mustangs out of the race for the CMC championship.
It was the second conference loss of the season for the Mustangs, whose only previous loss came to unbeaten Kelseyville. While each team still has two matches remaining, Middletown would have to win both and Kelseyville lose both for the Mustangs to get a share of the title.
“How we win or lose is more important than if we win or lose,” Middletown coach Eric Soderstrom said of his team”s sometimes contentious match with St. Helena. “I”m proud of my kids. They conducted themselves with class on the courts.”
Two three-set matches that went St. Helena”s way proved to be the difference. Austin Hechlers beat Nika Gibbs 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in second singles, and Alexander Pierce and Gus Alfaro defeated Ariana Diaz and Chris King 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 in first doubles.
The Saints also won in first singles as Rory Winters knocked off Jeremy Turner 6-0, 6-0.
Middletown wins came in third singles where Maddie Kucer won 6-2, 7-5, and in second doubles where Robert Amante and Cassidy Parker prevailed 6-0, 6-1.
Middletown returns to action Tuesday in Cloverdale before closing out its regular season April 19 at home against Kelseyville. Both matches start at 3:30 p.m. The CMC Championships are April 26-27 in Ukiah.
