NAPA >> Freshman pitcher Shelby Sapeta didn’t allow an earned run on Thursday afternoon as the Lower Lake Trojans dropped a 4-2 decision to perennial playoff team Justin-Siena in non-league softball action at Napa.
“Two mistakes cost us,” Lower Lake coach Chris Emberson said of Trojan miscues in the third and fifth innings that led to two-run innings for the Braves. “She (Sapeta) had all three of her pitches going … fastball, change and drop ball. She’s starting to establish the drop ball and Justin-Siena is a good hitting team.”
Emberson said Sapeta has always possessed the physical tools to be a good pitcher.
“And now she has the confidence,” Emberson said. “She’s a confident girl right now.”
Sapeta struck out six and walked two as the Trojans fell to 2-2 on the season.
Lower Lake scratched out single runs in the first two innings to go up 2-0. Kayla Sanderson (2-for-3) put the Trojans on the scoreboard with a RBI single in the top of the first. A bunt single by Marnae Johnson along with an error on the play plated Lower Lake’s run in the second.
Lily Griffin, hitting in the No. 6 slot in the batting order, led the Trojans at the plate with three hits in three at-bats.
“All three hits were right up the middle,” Emberson said. “It’s only her second year of softball. Last year it was see ball, hit ball for her, but now she’s starting to learn the game.”
The Trojans finished with three errors, but Emberson said now is the time to make those mistakes as Lower Lake prepares for its upcoming North Central League I run.
“It’s better to make the mistakes now before league,” Emberson said.
Sapeta and Jolean Scarborough also had hits for the Trojans.
Lower Lake returns home Saturday to play Piner at 11 a.m. The Trojans hit the road Tuesday to take on Healdsburg at 4:30 p.m.
