LOWER LAKE >> Given a chance to use his reserves in a non-league softball game against Upper Lake on Wednesday afternoon, that’s exactly what Lower Lake head coach Chris Emberson did as the Trojans smacked the Cougars 15-1 in five innings at Lower Lake High School.
Lower Lake (11-4) notched its 11th win with little trouble. In fact, Emberson started four reserves and emptied his bench before the game was over.
“We scheduled this game back in March because we wanted to see what we had and that’s a good time to do it (before league play starts),” Emberson said.
The March 11 date was rained out and the game was rescheduled for Wednesday with Lower Lake nearly halfway through its North Central League I schedule.
“It’s a game to get some of those girls who work hard in practice some playing time,” Emberson said. “It’s hard to sit on the bench all the time no matter how good your attitude is. If you want girls to buy into the program, you have to give them some playing time.”
Leading 6-0 after two innings, the Trojans sent 15 batters to the plate and scored eight times in the bottom of the third to put the game well out of reach.
Winning pitcher Ashlynn Mock blanked the Cougars (5-7) on no hits through the first three innings. Kalysta Howard kept the no-hitter intact through the fourth but gave up a one-out single to Chelsie Valdez in the top of the fifth. The next batter, losing pitcher Julia Mooney, belted a RBI triple to deep left field to break up the shutout.
Destiny Apodaca went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Kristen Celli went 2-for-3 with a RBI for Lower Lake. Eight different Trojans had at least one RBI.
