EL CERRITO >> Too many errors and free bases proved too much for the Clear Lake Cardinals to overcome in a 14-4 non-league softball loss to the El Cerrito Gauchos on Tuesday afternoon in El Cerrito.
The Cardinals (3-2) committed six errors while two Clear Lake pitchers combined to issue five walk and hit two.
“We’re not the type of team right now that can give a club an extra two to three outs an inning,” Clear Lake coach Doug Wingler said.
While Wingler was happy with his team’s approach at the plate and ability to put the ball into play, he said the Cardinals’ pitching and especially the defense need to tighten things up before they start league play later this month.
“We had some really great at-bats even though we didn’t have anything to show for it a couple of times,” Wingler said.
The Cardinals finished with six hits, including four doubles. Four of those hits and three of the doubles came during a four-run top of the first inning. The lead proved short-lived as the Gauchos scored one in the bottom of the inning, three in the second to pull even at 4-4, and four more in the third to take an 8-4 lead.
Shyanne Chapin went 2-for-3, the only Clear Lake player with more than one hit. Madi Ferguson (1-for-2) and Lila Ogden (1-for-2) drove in two runs apiece.
Losing pitcher Kortnie Reynolds worked the first four innings, allowing 11 runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking four. Lilli Hill relieved and allowed three runs on two hits with one strikeout and one walk.
“We’re finding our way,” Wingler said of his young squad. “The good thing that came out of the game was not once did I feel like we were not competing.”
Weather permitting, Clear Lake returns to action Friday against St. Joseph Notre Dame of Alameda in the opening round of the Ukiah Tournament at 4 p.m. The Cardinals will play two more games on Saturday.
Game notes: Clear Lake played on El Cerrito’s all-weather field and Wingler said the Gauchos have a beautiful facility. “It’s like a city block of nothing but softball, baseball and football fields.”
