Cloverdale teams wrap up league play this week
The finish line is in sight for the first-place Eagles’ varsity softball squad, needing just one win in their last two outings to capture the league title.
At press time Cloverdale (11-1, 14-1) was two games up on Kelseyville (10-3) with remaining road and home games against Lower Lake (May 15) and Fort Bragg (May 17, Senior Day) left on the schedule.
The ladies drew a step closer to the NCL 1 title with lopsided wins over Middletown (11-1) and St. Helena (10-0), getting the job done in five innings in both games.
The final score was a bit deceiving in the May 8 clash with visiting Middletown, as Cloverdale broke a 1-1 tie with an 8-run explosion in the fourth inning en route to an 11-1 romp in five. Tehya Bird (5 IP, 5 hits, 0 ERs, 6 Ks) notched the win, while top hitters were Lane Hughes (3 for 4, 2B, run, 5 RBIs), Bird (1 for 3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Vanessa Fisher (1 for 2, 2 RBIs), Nicky Martinez (1 for 3, 2 runs), Heather Sterling (1 for 3, 2 runs), Alma Beltran (1 for 3, run) and Alyssa Moffet (1 for 3, 2 runs, RBI).
The Eagles took charge early in their May 10 tilt with visiting St. Helena, plating three runs in the opening frame on their way to a 10-0, five-inning victory. Bird (5 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 8 Ks) earned her 14th win. Swinging hot bats were Sterling (3 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Bird (2 for 3, 2 2Bs, 4 runs, RBI), Martinez (2 for 3, RBI), Fisher (2 for 3, 2B, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Hughes (1 for 3, run, RBI), Beltran (1 for 3) and Moffet (1 for 3, run).
Horsehiders eye playoffs
The varsity baseball Eagles continued an outstanding season of their own with an even split in two recent home games, bouncing back from an 11-7 loss to Middletown with an 11-1 rout over St. Helena.
At press time Cloverdale (8-5, 12-7) was preparing to close out the NCL 1 campaign on May 15 at Lower Lake. The Eagles will also be looking ahead to the upcoming North Coast Section playoffs, where they should land a decent spot when the seeding committee meets to fill out the divisional bracket this Sunday.
“Playoffs are coming up and we know that every win can help us,” CHS coach Ben West said. “Our goal is to play our first game at home, which would be great for the boys and the community. We’re ready for the challenge and looking forward to continuing the season.”
Cloverdale played host to Middletown in a disappointing outing on May 8, as the Mustangs busted open a tight ballgame with three in the fourth and two in the sixth en route to an 11-7 victory.
Pulling mound duty for the Eagles were Keller Sibert (3 IP, 6 hits, 4 ERs, K), Dylan Scaramella (3.1 IP, 5 hits, 4 ERs, 2 Ks) and James Wirt (.2 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 2 Ks). Top hitters were Drew Edens (3 for 4, 2B, run), Wirt (2 for 4, 2 runs), Collin Patterson (1 for 4, 2B, run), Kamrin Mitchell (1 for 4, run) and Josh Lemley (1 for 4, run).
Mitchell climbed the hill in an outstanding pitching performance in an 11-1 romp over visiting St. Helena, dominating the Saint’s line-up in a three-hit, one-run, four-strikeout effort. Pacing the attack were Scaramella (3 for 3, 2 runs), Ben Paine (2 for 3, 2 runs), Wirt (2 for 4, 2 runs), BJ Grady (2 for 3, run), Edens (1 for 3, run) and Mitchell (1 for 4, 2B, run).
