KELSEYVILLE — A return throw from the catcher that got away from Kelseyville pitcher Tyler Linnell led to what proved to be the winning run as the Healdsburg Greyhounds scored twice in the top of the sixth inning to beat the Knights 5-4 in non-league varsity baseball action Wednesday afternoon at Lloyd Larson Field.
“We back that up about 85 percent of the time,” Kelseyville head coach Lou Poloni said. “Plays like that are the difference in a one-run ballgame. It was one of the three or four mental lapses we had in the game.”
Kelseyville (1-2) spotted Healdsburg a 3-0 lead before tying the game with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Chase’s two-run single into left field cut the Greyhounds’ lead to 3-2. The Knights reloaded the bases before Linnell drew a walk to force in the tying run. Kelseyville had a chance for an even bigger inning but Larsen was picked off third base to end the rally.
“I’ve gotta do a better job of coaching these guys,” Poloni said of the mental miscues that cost the Knights so dearly in their second straight loss, both one-run decisions.
Poloni also blamed himself for leaving Linnell in the game too long.
“It was one of the better games he’s pitched,” Poloni said. “He had command of his fastball and curveball. That’s the best he’s thrown the curve. He pitched a 1-2-3 fifth and he was up around 103 pitches. I ran him too long.”
Linnell had a 4-3 lead to work with entering the top of the sixth after the Knights scratched out a run in the bottom of the fifth. Roman Navarro’s two-out RBI single put Kelseyville in front, albeit briefly.
Healdsburg pushed ahead to stay with its two-run sixth.
Kelseyville hit the ball hahrd in its final two at-bats but had nothing to show for it. In the bottom of the seventh, the Knights advanced the potential tying run to third base with two outs before striking out to end the game.
Kelseyville out-hit Healdsburg seven to four. Jeremy Brown went 2-for-3 for the Knights. Navarro, Larsen, Brandon Garcia, Zayne Barker and Jake Keithly had the other Kelseyville hits.
The Knights remain home Saturday to play El Molino in a non-league game at 11 a.m.
