ROSEVILLE — The Kelseyville Knights went up against a school nearly four times their size Wednesday afternoon, falling 6-0 to the Oakmont Vikings in a non-league varsity baseball game at Roseville.
Oakmont’s grass infield was in great shape although the outfield was soggy from recent heavy rainfall.
“The infield played really nice,” Kelseyville head coach Billy Shaul said.
Kelseyville (1-3) managed just four hits, singles by Zayne Barker, Jake Burke, Andrew Huggins and Reme Strong, and advanced only two runners as far as second base.
“We didn’t see their ace,” Shaul said. “They’ve got four games this week. We saw their number four or five guy who threw in the low 80s, was around the zone, had three pitches.”
Several of Oakmont players are college prospects, according to Shaul.
“Every guy on their team would be a top player in our league,” Shaul said. “They have some really good players.”
One of those players, senior shortstop Adam Reyes, went 3-for-3 to lead a nine-hit Oakmont attack.
“He hit all three of those balls hard,” Shaul said.
The Vikings (2-2) scored a run in the bottom of the first and two more in the second against losing pitcher Jon Dougherty, who worked the first three innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs. Brock Barrick relieved and pitched the final three innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out three and walking none.
Kelseyville’s outfield defense — Reme Strong in left, Tyler Bryant in center and Luke Watkins in right — took away a handful of hits from Oakmont with nice plays in the field.
“Luke ran one ball down at the track in right-center field,” Shaul said. “Luke and Reme made some plays look routine that were not routine plays.”
On the Knights’ pitching and defense, Shaul added, “We did a good job of keeping the innings small.”
Oakmont added to its lead with two runs in the fourth and another in the sixth against Barrick.
Kelseyville returns home Saturday to face Fortuna in a non-league doubleheader that gets under way at noon.
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