LOWER LAKE >> A week-long layoff because of rain didn’t hurt the Lower Lake Trojans on Tuesday in a 9-1 non-league victory over the Tomales Braves in varsity baseball action at Lower Lake High School.
Eric Graves blanked Tomales on two hits during his five-inning stint on the mound. Izzac Carver finished up and allowed a run on two hits.
The victory moves the Trojans to 6-1 on the season, which is one more win than they had a year ago. Their biggest test begins Friday when they not only open their North Central League I schedule, but get things started at home against defending champion Kelseyville and its ace Logan Barrick.
“Honestly I think we’re in the top three,” Lower Lake coach Jim Peters said when asked to predict how the Trojans will do in the upcoming league race. “Defensive-wise we’re not making many mistakes and we’re hitting the ball better than last year.” Team confidence is also high as the Trojans enter league play.
“The boys are feeling like they have the ability to win,” Peters said.
The Trojans struck early and often against the Braves, scoring a run in the bottom of the first, three more in the second and two in the third for a 6-0 lead. They added to that with two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. Tomales avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the seventh.
Reed Diener went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI while Carver had a pair of hits and RBIs for the Trojans. Ethan Watson (1-for-3) knocked in three runs.
Graves struck out five and walked two while registering the victory. Carver struck out two and walked four in relief.
Notes: Kelseyville ran through the NCL I a year ago with a 14-0 mark while Lower Lake was at the other end of the league standings at 0-14. In the two league meetings between the two teams, Kelseyville won 2-0 at home and 11-1 at Lower Lake.
