KELSEYVILLE — Montana Wells hit a three-run home run to center field as part of a six-run Clear Lake first inning and the Cardinals built a 10-0 lead during a 12-4 victory over the Kelseyville Knights in North Central League I softball action Friday afternoon in Kelseyville.
Clear Lake (5-2 league, 9-5 overall) sent 11 batters to the plate in the top of the first.
Winning pitcher Lilianna Cruz carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning when Kelseyville (1-8, 1-14) broke through on Bri Davis’ bases-loaded triple to right field. Cruz worked five innings for the victory, allowing two hits, striking out seven and walking only one.
Clear Lake was greatly aided by seven Kelseyville errors, according to head coach Scott Schaefers, who said he was able to work his reserves into the game before it was over.
“You’ve got to give them a chance to learn and play,” Schaefers said of his backups.
Sierra Bruch went 2-for-4 with a double, scored three times and drove in two runs for the Cardinals. Cruz also had two hits.
Freshman Olivia Hommer went 2-for-3 for Kelseyville, which had four hits to Clear Lake’s 10.
“We did a lot better against them today than we did last time,” Kelseyville head coach Julie Jackson, referring to a 15-0 loss to the Cardinals in their first league meeting March 29 in Lakeport. “I’m proud of the girls.”
Clear Lake is home Tuesday against Middletown and on the road Friday at St. Helena. Kelseyville is home Tuesday against Willits and on the road Friday at Fort Bragg.
Clear Lake notes: Clear Lake has rescheduled a non-league game with Hoopa for April 30 in Lakeport. The Cardinals will make up their two league games with Willits on May 4 and May 11.
In other softball action Friday:
Cloverdale 8, Middletown 3
At Middletown, Cloverdale broke open a 4-3 game after five innings by scoring twice in the sixth and twice in the seventh against Middletown.
A tiring Middletown starter Shaylynn Sims left after 5 1/3 innings trailing 4-3 and reliever Emma Hansen struggled with her control, walking six over the final 1 2/3 innings. Sims struck out three and walked two, allowing four runs. Hansen struck out two.
“It was a good game to watch,” Middletown head coach Bob Gunion said. “We played them (Eagles) better than we have the last couple of times.”
Cloverdale beat Middletown 12-1 on March 29 in Cloverdale.
Gunion said the rainy weather earlier this week prevented his team from practicing, which didn’t help the Mustangs’ performance Friday. However, the Middletown field was in great shape for the Cloverdale game.
“The maintenance guys did a great job,” Gunion said.
Gracie Wagner went 2-for-4 with a RBI for Middletown and Hansen also had two hits.
Middletown plays three games next week. The Mustangs are home against Lower Lake on Monday, on the road Tuesday against Clear Lake, and at Willits on Friday.
