Weigel-Murphy just misses perfect game against Cougars

A Credo runner is safe at second base as Molly McCabe puts down the tag. (Photo by Brian Sumpter)

By Brian Sumpter | Lake County Record Bee

UPDATED: April 23, 2019 at 1:37 PM PDT

UPPER LAKE — Team captains are supposed to lead by example and Credo High School sophomore pitcher Maya Weigel-Murphy did just that on Monday afternoon as the Gryphon beat the host Upper Lake Cougars 13-0 in a North Central League II softball game called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

Weigel-Murphy missed a perfect game by the margin of the walk she issued to Angel O’Sullivan in the bottom of the fourth inning. She ended up with a no-hitter while striking out 13. Her defense had to make only two outs behind her.

Upper Lake catcher Hailey Reams looks for the umpire's call on a play at the plate. (Photo by Brian Sumpter)

“We looked a little intimidated in my opinion,” Upper Lake coach Nick Williamson said. “We weren’t taking good cuts until the last two innings. We put some balls in play, but it was too little too late. She has some good speed, but not unhittable speed. She is one of the better pitchers we’ve seen this season.”

Weigel-Murphy’s counterpart, Upper Lake senior Katlyn Minnis, threw the ball well but received absolutely no help from either her offer or a defense that kicked and threw the ball around to the tune of 10 errors. Minnis finished with nine strikeouts and walked only two.

Upper Lake right fielder Angel O'Sullivan retrieves a ball in right field as second baseman Molly McCabe waits to cut off the throw. (Photo by Brian Sumpter)

Credo didn’t waste any time taking the lead. The Gryphon scored four times in the first inning and add three more runs in the second for a 7-0 lead. A six-run fourth led to the game’s early conclusion.

Upper Lake played Monday without one of its top hitters, Cheyanne Obedoza, who was unable to go for medical reasons.

Angel O'Sullivan walked in the bottom of the fourth inning and made it around to third base before the inning ended. She was Upper Lake's only baserunner in a 13-0 loss to Credo. (Photo by Brian Sumpter)

It was only the eighth game of the season for the Cougars (0-2 league, 3-5 overall) and not just because of the rainy weather that plagued the county’s schools spring sports teams March and into this month. Three other softball teams in the NCL II – Calistoga, Rincon Valley Christian and Tech – folded their programs earlier this season, leaving only Upper Lake, Credo, Tomales and St. Vincent.

“I heard Tomales has a team, but we haven’t played them yet,” Williamson said. “Usually you play 12-15 games in the preseason.”