CLOVERDALE >> For the first time in two seasons, someone other than the Kelseyville Knights is alone atop the North Central League I softball standings.
Tehya Bird and the Cloverdale Eagles made that happen on Tuesday afternoon with a 4-1 victory in a battle of undefeated league teams in Cloverdale. Bird allowed just one hit – a two-out RBI triple to Tymeka Green in the top of the first inning – as the Eagles not only remained perfect in league play at 8-0, but on the season at 11-0. Kelseyville falls to 8-1 and 13-2. The Knights won’t have to wait long for the rematch as they host Cloverdale on Monday at 4 p.m. in what is now a must-win game if they hope to repeat as league champions.
“They know they can put the ball into play against her (Bird) but we need to hit it harder,” Kelseyville coach Phil Psalmonds said. “She was jamming us and we’ll have to make adjustments. She’s a great pitcher.”
Other than Green’s two-out triple that scored Bailey Couey, who led off the game by reaching on an error, Bird didn’t allow another ball hit out of the infield. She struck out seven and walked just one. Bird also drew four intentional walks at the plate as the Knights had no intention of pitching to the Eagles’ powerful and speedy leadoff hitter. The strategy had mixed results as Bird scored each of Cloverdale’s first two runs.
Losing pitcher Allison Bryant certainly did her part to keep the Knights in the game. She allowed five hits, struck out two and walked six – including the four intentional passes to Bird.
“She did her job,” Psalmonds said. “We have to hit the ball better if we want to beat them.”
Cloverdale tied the scored in the bottom of first on a walk to Bird, a sacrifice bunt, a passed ball and a RBI single. The Eagles strung together three straight hits in the bottom of the third after Bird walked to open the inning and moved up to second on a groundout. The next batter singled to send Bird to third base and Vanessa Fisher followed with a two-run double to put Cloverdale ahead to stay at 3-1. Fisher then scored on a single to make it 4-1.
The two teams traded zeroes the rest of the way as Kelseyville’s defense turned two double plays and nearly a third. It also committed four errors, something it hasn’t done in a long time.
“We weren’t as sharp as we could have been,” Psalmonds said. “I think the girls were pretty keyed up.”
