CLOVERDALE >> Noah Lyndall pitched a three-hitter and shortstop Kyle Ellis backed him up in the field with three sensational plays as the Kelseyville Knights beat the Cloverdale Eagles 4-1 to wrap up a 14-0 North Central League I varsity baseball campaign on Thursday afternoon at City Park in Cloverdale.
Lyndall, 7-1, almost didn’t start for the Knights one day after Logan Barrick pitched a complete game in a 6-5 win over the Eagles at Kelseyville.
“We’re kind of beat up right now and he was sore,” Kelseyville head coach Lou Poloni said of the senior Lyndall. “He called me this morning and said he felt OK.”
Poloni, who was ready to go with Devin Dugger as his starter, said he was more concerned about his team’s health going into the playoffs than going 14-0 in league, especially since the Knights clinched the league title last week and Thursday’s game wouldn’t affect Kelseyville’s final position in the standings..
“I guess it might have helped us a little more in the seedings,” he said of going 14-0. “But the kids really wanted to go for it (undefeated record).”
Lyndall allowed just one run in the bottom of the fourth by which time the Knights already had a 2-0 lead. They scored single runs in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings.
After a tough day in the field Wednesday against Cloverdale, Ellis responded with a gold glove-type performance, according to Poloni.
“It’s amazing what 24 hours can do,” he said. “He made three diving plays up the middle and threw the guy out each time.”
Sambhava Baird once again anchored the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Lyndall added two more hits and a RBI.
Kelseyville will learn on Sunday where it has been seeded in the North Coast Section Division IV playoff bracket, which has room for 16 teams.
“I think we’re a top-four team,” Poloni said.
Kelseyville, a winner of 15 straight games entering the postseason, will host a first-round game either Tuesday or Wednesday.
