ARBUCKLE >> With a lineup that might even be more potent than last year’s, the Lower Lake High School softball team overwhelmed the Pierce Bears 16-1 in a non-league softball game on Tuesday afternoon in Arbuckle. The Trojans’ season opener was called after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
“One through nine we might be stronger,” Lower Lake coach Chris Emberson said of his batting order, one that was pretty formidable a year ago as the Trojans went 19-7 and reached the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Section Division IV playoffs.
Ahead 10-0 after two innings, the Trojans played long ball in the top of the third, hitting two home runs in the span of three batters to go up 13-0. Azuree Meza led it off with a home run to straightaway center field. After Destiny Apodoca doubled, Kristen Celli launched a two-run home run to center field. Meza, Apodaca and Celli, all veterans, bat 2-3-4 in Lower Lake’s lineup and were a collective 9-for-13 on the day with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs.
“Celli and Apodaca have been hitting it through the roof,” Emberson said of Tuesday’s game and a scrimmage Friday in Middletown.
Lower Lake collected 17 hits in all in support of pitcher Ashlynn Mock, formerly the Trojans’ All-League shortstop but now the everyday pitcher after the graduation of four-year starter Shelby Harris.
“She looked good,” Emberson said. “Other than the three walks, she threw the ball well.”
Mock allowed just two hits, no earned runs and struck out four in going the distance for the victory.
“We’ll have to play a little more defense behind her because she’s not going to strike out as many as Shelby did,” Emberson said. “Teams will put the ball into play against her.”
Besides Meza (4-for-5), Apodaca (3-for-4) and Celli (2-for-4), Alex DeGraw went 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs, Jolean Scarborough went 2-for-4 with a RBI and Katrina Rinoldi went 2-for-2 with a double.
The Trojans are home Thursday at 3:30 p.m. to face Justin-Siena of Napa, an early season meeting between two teams that are regulars in the Division IV playoffs.
“That’s a good test,” Emberson said. “It’s more important than some of the league games we’ll play.”
