MIDDLETOWN >> Kelseyville High School’s softball team won one game a year ago. One year later the Knights are sporting a .500 mark overall and a winning record in the North Central League I standings after rallying to beat the Middletown Mustangs 12-7 on Tuesday afternoon in Middletown.
Kelseyville’s third straight league victory has the the team sitting at 4-3 in the NCL I standings and 6-6 on the season, a giant improvement from last year’s rock-bottom 1-19 finish (1-13 in league).
“Through all the losing they stuck with it,” Kelseyville head coach Julie Jackson said of her veteran players. “They really put in the work. They’re starting to figure out the little things.”
Kelseyville erased a 6-4 Middletown lead with a six-run top of the fifth, which included a bases-loaded double by winning pitcher Jayden Paulich that scored all three runners.
Jackson said the catalyst for the Knights’ big fifth inning was a defensive play that occurred during Middletown’s two-run bottom of the fourth, a catch in center field by Kat Wheelen that led to an inning-ending double play that prevented the Mustangs from adding to a 6-4 lead.
“It was a great catch … a phenomenal catch,” Jackson said. “It was a huge momentum shift.”
Paulich went 2-for-3, both doubles, and finished with three RBIs. She also pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs while striking out five and walking two.
Kelseyville grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top of the first against losing pitcher Shaylyn Sims. Middletown (2-5 league, 3-5 overall) battled back with two runs in the bottom of the first, two more in the third to tie the game, and two in the sixth to take a short-lived 6-4 lead.
Cadence Henry went 2-for-4 with a triple and a RBI for the Mustangs while Jaidyn Brown went 2-for-2.
Kelseyville hosts Clear Lake on Friday while Middletown travels to Fort Bragg.
In other NCL I softball action Tuesday:
Clear Lake 17, Lower Lake 3 (5 inn.)
At Lower Lake, the Clear Lake Cardinals bounced back from a 13-2 five-inning loss four days ago at home to league-leading St. Helena with a five-inning victory over the Lower Lake Trojans.
Clear Lake (5-3, 8-5) led 5-1 after one inning and had a 17-1 lead before Lower Lake (1-7, 2-7) scored its final two runs in the bottom of the fifth.
“The girls were loose and ready to go,” Clear Lake head coach Scott Schaefers said. “They were having fun … even before the game started.”
They had even more fun after the game started, pounding out 16 hits, including four doubles and a three-run home run by Montana Wells to center field during a five-run top of the fourth. Wells also doubled and she finished the game with four RBIs.
“She smacked it good,” Schaefers aid of Wells’ three-run blast.
Also for the Cardinals, Amber Smart went 2-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and four runs scored. Players with two hits were Kam Cresto (two RBIs), Atiana Patino (RBI), Sierra Bruch (RBI) and Cam Pivniska (RBI).
Patino pitched the first three innings for the victory, allowing two of Lower Lake’s four hits, one unearned run, and striking out two and walking one. Stella Hill finished up.
The Cardinals were greatly aided by nine Lower Lake errors.
“Lots of errors … we made a lot of errors,” Lower Lake head coach Tara Downey said. “My girls’ heads were just not in it today. It was probably our worst game.”
Rebecca Theodorou and Aliana Barnes each had a hit and a RBI for Lower Lake. Keeley Parks allowed all 17 Clear Lake runs in 3 2/3 innings and took the loss.
Clear Lake hits the road Friday to play Kelseyville. Lower Lake travels to Santa Rosa on Wednesday to play Montgomery in a non-league game before returning home Friday to take on Cloverdale.
Upper Lake 18, Tomales 1 (5 inn.)
At Tomales, Ruby Wurm went 3-for-3 and drove in five runs to power the Upper Lake Cougars to a five-inning NCL II-opening victory over the Tomales Braves.
Ashlyn Rhodes (3-for-4) homered in the first inning for the Cougars (1-0, 1-2), who were playing only their third game of the season because of numerous rainouts. They made up for some lost time at the expense of the Braves, pounding out 13 hits, including a home run, three triples and a double.
Wurm, the team’s catcher, also caught the combined one-hitter thrown by starting pitcher Aimee Schaefers and reliever Ashlyn Wurm.
“She did put in a lot of work today,” Upper Lake head coach Heathern Wurm said of Ruby Wurm’s big day on offense and defense.
Schaefers allowed the only Tomales hit in the bottom of the first when the Braves scored their only run. She struck out nine and walked two in four innings.
Upper Lake scored at least two runs in every inning, including a five-run first and a five-run fourth.
Tristin Rhodes went 3-for-4 with a double and Ashlyn Wurm went 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs.
The Cougars are off until Tuesday when they play at Calistoga.
