ESPARTO >> After scoring five times in the top of the seventh inning to cut Esparto’s lead to 13-10, the Upper Lake Cougars had the bases loaded with two outs and the potential winning run standing at the plate. The game ended before the at-bat was complete.
“The runner at third tried to steal home,” Upper Lake softball head coach Kelly Coburn said of what turned out to be the final out in Upper Lake’s 13-10 loss to Esparto on Tuesday afternoon in Esparto. “No one told her to go.”
Upper Lake was gunning for its third straight win but instead fell to 3-5 on the season after the bizarre end to the non-league game.
Upper Lake managed to stay close despite getting only five hits.
“Their pitcher walked a lot of people,” Coburn said.
Esparto twice led by eight runs – 12-4 and 13-5 – before Upper Lake rallied in the top of the seventh.
Katlyn Minnis went 1-for-4 with a double and five RBIs for the Cougars while Mallory Henry went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.
Losing pitcher Julia Mooney pitched the first four innings before giving way to Minnis to start the fifth. Mooney came back to pitch the sixth inning.
Upper Lake returns to action Friday in Ferndale at 4 p.m.
