KELSEYVILLE >> To throw a compete-game, three-hit shutout in the fashion that Kelseyville’s Noah Lyndall did against Middletown on Friday, a pitcher would have to have a compleat set of pitches, as in fastball, curve and changeup.
But Lyndall’s 96-pitch, 2-0 blanking of the Mustangs was even better than that at Lloyd Larson Field in Kelseyville. It was his best ever, Knights coach Lou Poloni said at the conclusion.
“I think it was his best game ever because he had no walks,” Poloni said of his rangy right-hander’s performance.
Lyndall struck out 10.
“That 10-0 ratio is big for him and huge for us,” Poloni said. “It was really nice to see Noah put this team on his back. He had good control and good velocity, but he had that against McKinleyville earlier this year. He threw his curveball for strikes and kept them off balance with his changeup.”
Getting his curveball consintently over the plate was Lyndall’s most significant accomplishment because until Friday he didn’t. Lyndall’s masterfully pitched game allowed him to win a pitcher’s duel against Middletown ace Tyler Holt, who was almost as good. Holt’s only mistake was walking the first two Kelseyville batters he faced in the game — Brandon Huber and then Tony Marquardt on a 3-2 pitch.
Both scored on groundballs, the first by Lyndall and then Sambhava Baird, who received credit for an infield hit that was questionable. If it had been called an error the Knights’ runs would have scored without any hits at all. They didn’t get another one until Baird (2-for-3) doubled in the bottom of the sixth inning against reliever Albert Ruske.
Lyndall might have used a strong wind blowing inward to keep the Mustangs off balance, but Poloni thought not.
“I don’t know,” he said pensively. “They (Mustangs) didn’t hit too many balls high in the air.”
No need to ask Middletown coach Brad Holt about getting balls in the air. After two straight solid hitting games, the Mustangs were found wanting at the plate.
“Defensively I think we did good,” Holt said. “But we gave up those two early runs.”
Stephen Amos (2-for-3) finished with two of Middletown’s three hits.
The loss was Middletown’s seventh against five wins and was the Mustangs’ first league loss in three games. Kelseyville improved to 2-2 in the NCL I standings and 6-8 overall.
Middletown’s loss leaves Clear Lake (4-0, 10-0) as the only undefeated team in the league, but Poloni said he isn’t conceding the league race just yet.
“If we win two against Clear Lake that means being co-champs with them. We’re going to beat them twice,” Poloni said … and then he laughed.
