Eagles softballers surge; horsehiders drop two
Cloverdale High School softball and baseball teams will close out their respective league seasons this week, with just a couple of games left on the docket.
The defending NCL-1 champion Lady Eagles (11-2, 17-3) are coming off a dominant stretch on the league diamond, notching shutout victories over St. Helena (5-0), Kelseyville (9-0) and Willits (10-0) to maintain second place.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, the Eagles were two games back in the loss column behind first place Clear Lake (10-0), and a game up on third place Lower Lake (10-3).
Rounding out the NCL-1 standings were Kelseyville (7-5), Fort Bragg (3-7), St. Helena (2-8), Middletown (1-9) and Willits (1-11).
The girls will close out the schedule on May 18 at Kelseyville and will await a spot in the North Coast Section playoffs next week. Cloverdale is currently ranked number one NCS Division-5 and will likely enjoy plenty of home cooking in the playoffs.
The NCS seeding committee will meet this Sunday, May 22 to fill out the playoff brackets.
Meanwhile, the varsity baseball Eagles (9-3, 12-7) weathered a tough stretch on the league circuit, dropping successive games to St. Helena (6-5) and Willits (4-0) in falling to 9-3 in league.
At press time Cloverdale was three games back of first place Kelseyville (12-0) and a half game up on third place St. Helena (8-3). Filling out the league standings are Clear Lake (6-7), Fort Bragg (5-6), Middletown (5-8), Willits (4-9) and Lower Lake (0-13).
The Eagles will close out the league season on May 18-19 with road and home dates against Kelseyville.
Cloverdale is holding down the number seven ranking in NCS and is also a good bet for spot in the playoffs next week. Check the NCS website at www.cifncs.org for updated playoff information as it becomes available on Sunday.
Edens on a roll
Last week could best be described as the Teanne Edens show, as the senior flame thrower continued her mastery of league opponents.
Cloverdale began the latest stretch with a trip to St. Helena on May 10. Edens crafted another gem, mowing down the Saints in a no-hit, no run, 16-strikeout gem en route to a 5-0 win. Top hitters were Amber Adams (4 for 4, run, 3 RBIs), Hailey Donahoo (2 for 2), Edens (1 for 3, HR, 2 runs, RBI), Bailey Creager (1 for 3, RBI), Nicky Martinez (1 for 4, RBI) and Bailey Stewart (1 for 5, run).
It was more of the same two days later against visiting Kelseyville, as the Eagles staked Edens (7 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 13 Ks) to a big lead on their way to a 9-0 win. Â
Pacing the bat attack were Edens (3 for 4, 2 2Bs, run), Stewart (3 for 4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Donahoo (2 for 3, 2B, run, 2 RBIs) and Creager (2 for 4, HR, run, 2 RBIs).
Edens (5 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 0 BBs, 13 Ks) fired her second perfect game and fifth no-hitter of the season in a May 13 visit to Willits, as the Eagles scored in every frame en route to a 10-0, five-inning win. Recording multiple hits were Edens (3 for 4, 2 runs, RBI), Stewart (2 for 2, 3 runs, RBI), Adams (2 for 4, RBI), Creager (2 for 4, 2B, run, 3 RBIs), and Heather Sterling (2 for 3, run).
Losses for boys
Cloverdale suffered back-to-back league losses for the first time this season beginning with a May 10 visit to St. Helena. The game was close throughout, with the Eagles making it interesting with a two-run rally in the fifth before eventually falling 6-5.
Ace hurler Chris Harms (5 IP, 7 hits, 2 ERs, 8 Ks) was solid before turning it over to reliever Mike McDermott (1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs) in the seventh. Top hitters were Drew Edens (3 for 4, run, 3 RBIs), Pat Ojeda (1 for 3), Angel Vega (1 for 3, 2 runs), Nick Menzell (1 for 2, run) and McDermott (1 for 3, RBI).
The bats were quiet in a May 13 clash with visiting Willits, managing just four hits against Wolverines pitching. Willits put the game away with a three-run rally in the sixth to ice a 4-0 win.
McDermott (6 IP, 6 hits, 2 ERs, 6 Ks) deserved a better fate, while Jared Hibbeln (1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 3 Ks) was perfect in relief. Hitting safely for Cloverdale were McDermott (2 for 3), Edens (1 for 3) and Hibbeln (1 for 2).
