KELSEYVILLE — They got that first win out of the way quick this year.
Behind a 17-hit attack that featured three hits apiece from Lilly Wiser and Audrey Pasalo, who also drove in four runs, the Kelseyville Knights worked over the Healdsburg Greyhounds 23-4 in the non-league softball opener for both teams on a wintry Wednesday afternoon at Kelseyville. The game was called after 4 1/2 innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Kelseyville won only one game last season (1-19) with a rebuilding squad that remains on the young side again this year, according to head coach Julie Jackson. The Knights equaled their 2022 win total by beating a Greyhounds team they lost to in last year’s season opener at Healdsburg.
While the Knights have a sprinkling of veterans such as juniors Wiser and Jayden Paulich, the Kelseyville pitcher, they remain an underclassmen-dominated squad.
“We have a huge freshman class,” Jackson said. “Our sophomores played summer ball, so they’re ahead of where they were last year.”
Kelseyville (1-0) scored three times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. While Healdsburg was able to get two of those runs back in the top of the second, the Knights answered with a 12-run bottom of the second to go up 15-2. The Knights tacked on seven more runs in the third inning and one more in the fourth.
Wiser had a double among her three hits and a RBI. Morgan Rogers went 2-for-2, both doubles, and drove in three runs. Mya Ogo (2-for-3) and Ana Ray (2-for-3) each drove in three runs. Ray also had a double. Olivia Rabe added two more hits.
Paulich worked the first three innings for the victory, striking out three and walking three. Ogo finished up, striking out four and walking three in two innings.
“I think we’ll do OK this season,” Jackson said. “It’s a fun group, fun to coach, and it has a lot of potential.”
Kelseyville worked up to its season opener with two scrimmages — Saturday against Clear Lake and Tuesday against Upper Lake. The Knights are off until March 2 when they visit Healdsburg. They’re also entered in the Cloverdale Tournament on March 17-18.
Game notes: The Kelseyville-Healdsburg game was originally scheduled to take place Thursday but was moved up a day because of weather concerns.
