UPPER LAKE — Karlee Zimmerschied’s three-run home run to left-center field was the signature hit for Upper Lake during a 12-run uprising in the bottom of the second Thursday afternoon as the host Cougars closed out their home schedule with a 15-3 five-inning North Central League II softball victory over the Tomales Braves.
“It’s good to finish it off with a good win,” Upper Lake head coach Nick Williamson said as the Cougars improved to 5-2 in league play and 5-3 overall.
Upper Lake honored its three seniors — Hailey Reams, Molly McCabe and Laylah Medina — before taking care of business against Tomales. Four of the Cougars’ 12 hits went for extra bases, including two doubles by Nathaly Velasco (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and a two-run home run by Ruby Wurm to right-center field in the bottom of the fourth to account for Upper Lake’s final two runs.
Upper Lake had a 13-0 lead before Tomales finally reached the scoreboard with a run in the top of the fourth against reliever Taylar Minnis. Zimmerschied blanked the Braves in her three innings of work. She struck out four and walked five. Minnis finished up.
Zimmerschied, Velasco and Medina (2-for-3, RBI) had two hits apiece for the Cougars in their home finale.
Upper Lake’s final game of the COVID-19-abbreviated 2021 season takes place Monday in Maxwell beginning at 4 p.m.
Notes: Reams has committed to Mendocino College for the 2022 season and will join the Eagles’ softball squad, which will have at least one player from each of Lake County’s five high schools on its roster next season … Zimmerschied and Minnis combined on a one-hitter.
