KELSEYVILLE — Justin Gentle faced just one batter over the minimum while pitching the Kelseyville Knights into the win column for the first time this season, a 10-0 five-inning victory over the visiting Willits Wolverines in North Central League I varsity baseball action Tuesday at Lloyd Larson Field.
In addition to being the first win of the season for Kelseyville (1-2 league, 1-5 overall), the victory also was the first for Billy Shaul as the Knights’ first-year head coach.
“I enjoyed it,” Shaul said. “Hopefully it won’t be the last one.”
The Knights’ offense, held to a total of five runs in its first five games, had a breakthrough day, including a six-run second inning that gave them a 7-0 lead.
“We talked about scoring early,” Shaul said. “We played good defense after that and relaxed.”
Given a comfortable lead to work with, Gentle needed only 63 pitches to record his one-hitter. The only hit he allowed was a clean single into left field with one out in the top of the third. The Wolverines (0-2 league) had only two other baserunners in the game – the result of the only walk issued by Gentle and a Kelseyville error. A double play and a caught stealing erased two of those Willits runners.
Joey Gentle, Kelseyville’s starting catcher, helped out his brother by going 2-for-2 with a RBI. Jeremy Brown (2-for-4) knocked in three runs and Brandon Garcia (2-for-3) added a pair of RBIs.
Kelseyville tries for a second straight victory Friday in Fort Bragg at 4 p.m.
In other baseball action Tuesday:
Credo 15, Upper Lake 7
At Rohnert Park, the Upper Lake Cougars led 7-6 going to the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Credo Gryphon struck for eight runs in the sixth and went on to win this NCL II game.
“We just played poor defense,” Upper Lake head coach Brian Milhaupt said. “We made too many errors and gave up too many walks.”
Bradley Sneathen had a two-run double for the Cougars in the top of the fifth. Other game statistics were not available Tuesday night.
Upper Lake is 0-2 in league and 0-3 overall. The Cougars hit the road Thursday to play Technology at 4 p.m. in Rohnert Park. They return home next Tuesday to play Potter Valley, also at 4 p.m.
Fort Bragg 18, Lower Lake 1
At Lower Lake, Fort Bragg scored the game’s first 18 runs and breezed to a five-inning victory over the Lower Lake Trojans, who are now 0-3 in NCL I play.
Fort Bragg improved to 2-0 in league play.
Lower Lake hosts Cloverdale on Friday at 4 p.m.
