LAKEPORT — A non-league softball game that featured three lead changes ended up decisively in the win column for the Clear Lake Cardinals, 16-6 winners over El Molino High School of Forestville on Saturday in Lakeport.
Clear Lake (7-3) scored five times in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the game early as the 10-run rule was invoked.
What appeared to be a pitcher’s duel early on – Clear Lake led 2-1 through three innings – ended up being a slugfest instead. El Molino scored five times in the top of the fourth to go up 6-2, but Clear Lake came right back with six runs in the bottom of the inning, three scoring on a bases-loaded triple by Madi Ferguson, to push in front to stay at 8-6.
Clear Lake added to its lead from there, getting three more runs in the fifth and five in the sixth.
“We started off a little rusty,” Clear Lake coach Morgan Psalmonds said. “El Molino has a pretty good pitcher, she’s just a freshman, but she’s going to be a good one.”
Winning pitcher Shaelyn McIntire, coming off a complete-game effort on Friday at home against Willits, struggled a bit with her control as she walked seven.
“She might have been a little tired,” Psalmonds said.
Joy Ingalls continued her hot hitting ways for the Cardinals, going 4-for-5 with a bunt double and two RBIs. Ferguson went 3-for-4 despite battling the flu bug, according to Psalmonds. Emma Boatright and Raina Clifton added two hits apiece. Clifton, a freshman, doubled twice and drove in a run. Alexeya Wurm went 1-for-2 and drove in two runs.
Clear Lake’s league game Tuesday in St. Helena has been postponed because the Saints players are on spring break – as are the Cardinals – but are unable to play that day. Instead, St. Helena will play a league doubleheader in Lakeport on April 26. Weather permitting, the Cardinals return to action Friday at Kelseyville.
