SANTA ROSA — Reliever Kaitlyn Klein limited Montgomery to three runs over the final five innings Wednesday afternoon as the Lower Lake Trojans dropped a 6-0 non-league softball decision to the Vikings in Santa Rosa.
After starting pitcher Keeley Parks struggled in her only inning of work, allowing three runs to Montgomery (5-5) in the bottom of the first, Klein blanked the Vikings over the next three innings.
“It was a game-changer for our team,” Lower Lake head coach Tara Downey said of Klein’s solid outing. “They’re used to hitting fast pitching. Kaitlyn is accurate but doesn’t have speed. They were swinging at her pitches and hitting it in the infield, a lot of grounders.”
Klein blanked Montgomery until the fifth when the Vikings scored a run to go up 4-0. They picked up two more insurance runs in the sixth. Klein struck out two and walked two in her longest outing of the season.
“It’s the first time that she’s pitched more than an inning,” Downey said. “She really helped our defense.”
While the Trojans’ pitching and defense held up, their bats remained cold. Lower Lake’s only scoring opportunity came in the top of the sixth when they put runners at first and third with one out. Montgomery escaped the jam when Lower Lake bounced into a double play.
Winning pitcher Sydney Millea struck out 11 and walked none. Montgomery’s home book credited the junior with a two-hitter. Downey said the Trojans had five hits — one each by Kaitlyn Klein, Brandy Klein, Aliana Barnes, Norma Tremble and Rebecca Theodorou.
Lower Lake (2-8) was without starting third baseman Marriah Perez (illness) as it lost its sixth game in a row. Barnes, a utility player, took her place.
The Trojans return home Friday to play Cloverdale in a North Central League I game beginning at 4 p.m.
