LOWER LAKE >> Originally scheduled to meet Friday, the Lower Lake and Upper Lake softball teams took advantage of a break between storms Wednesday afternoon to play a non-league game at Lower Lake High School.
“We had sunny skies the whole game,” Lower Lake coach Chris Emberson said. “A few minutes after the game ended it started to hail.”
Lower Lake shut out Upper Lake 7-0 to run its season record to 3-0 while the visiting Cougars dropped to 1-3. Emberson said he was impressed with the Cougars’ performance, especially their defense under first-year head coach Nick Williamson.
“We hit some balls hard, but they made the plays,” Emberson said. “Their shortstop (Christina Wilson) made some nice stops.”
All 18 outs recorded by the Upper Lake defense came in the field as starting pitcher Julia Mooney, who went the distance, didn’t strike out a batter. She walked only two while giving up six hits, three of those during Lower Lake’s four-run first inning.
“They had to make all of their outs in the field, so committing only two errors is pretty good,” Emberson said.
Lower Lake’s defense also flashed some leather during an error-free performance, which made winning pitcher Shelby Sapeta’s life a bit easier as she crafted a two-hitter. Sapeta reciprocated by striking out 10, which took some pressure off of her defense. She walked only one.
“Her changeup and drop ball got better and better as the game went along,” Emberson said of his sophomore. “She has more weapons to work with this year,” Emberson added of Sapeta’s four-pitch repertoire when she’s on.
Lower Lake supplied Sapeta with all the run support she would need in the bottom of the first. With one out, Patti McCleery was hit by a Mooney pitch. Mikelynn Rowe singled her to second base and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Lily Griffin singled home the first run of the inning and Kayla Sanderson (2-for-4) singled home two more to make it 3-0. A passed ball gave the Trojans another run.
Lower Lake tacked on single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Sapeta carried a no-hitter into the top of the fourth when Wilson blooped a single in front of the right fielder. Upper Lake’s only other hit was a well-struck double to left field by Katlyn Minnis leading off the top of the fifth. The Cougars put runners at second and third but couldn’t break up Sapeta’s shutout.
“I’ve got to hand it to Upper Lake,” Emberson said. “They’re definitely doing a good job over there. They are improved.”
Kalysta Howard (1-for-3) also drove in a run for the Trojans, who don’t play another official game until Tuesday when they visit Piner High School, the first of four scheduled contests for the Trojans next week. They play at El Molino on March 22 and return home March 24 for a doubleheader against McKinleyville.
