LAKEPORT >> About the time Jolean Scarborough was launching a two-run homer over the left-center field fence during Lower Lake’s five-run top of the third inning, you kind of had the feeling that it was going to be the Trojans’ day. And it was certainly that.
Lower Lake pounded Clear Lake 12-0 in a five-inning North Central League I softball game on Tuesday afternoon at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport, extending its winning streak to three games, all shutouts, against the Cardinals, including the last two meetings on Clear Lake’s homefield.
“She’s shut us out the last two times we’ve played, so my hat’s off to her and to Chris,” Clear Lake coach Doug Wingler said of winning pitcher Shelby Sapeta and Lower Lake head coach Chris Emberson, who won his 100th career game.
“We’re playing our best ball right now,” Emberson said. “We’re peaking at the right time and I hope we can keep it up through the playoffs.”
Sapeta finished with a one-hitter just four days after tossing a no-hitter in Fort Bragg. The freshman gave up a bloop single to Lila Ogden with one out in the bottom of the second inning. She struck out nine, walked none and hit two while her defense backed her with flawless play in the field.
“She had command of all three of her pitches,” Emberson said. “The girls gave her an early lead and that makes things easier.”
Adrianna Illia’s RBI double in the top of the second inning was the only run Sapeta would need to notch the victory although it wouldn’t be Lower Lake’s last run, not by a long shot. The Trojans opened things up in the top of the third on Marnae Johnson’s RBI single, Scarborough’s two-run blast, a RBI single by Illia and a run-scoring error.
The Trojans kept adding on, picking up a run in the fourth and five more in the fifth, including a two-run homer to right-center field off the bat of freshman Alisha Jones.
Lower Lake (8-3 league, 14-6 overall) banged out 14 hits in all. Johnson, Illia, Lily Griffin, Mikelynn Rowe and Destiny Apodaca each had two hits. Scarborough (1-for-3) finished with three RBIs.
Losing pitcher Kortnie Reynolds worked 3 1/3 innings before giving way to reliever Shaelyn McIntire.
Clear Lake (5-7, 9-11) is home Thursday to play St. Vincent in a non-league game and home again on Friday to play Fort Bragg in NCL I action. Lower Lake is also home Friday to take on St. Helena.
