The Lower Lake Trojans are taking a road trip to take on the Cloverdale Eagles at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Lower Lake has a tough task ahead: they'll enter the game with three straight losses, while Cloverdale will come in with four straight wins.
Clear Lake hit Lower Lake with a eight-run sixth inning on Friday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. The Trojans lost 17-7 to the Cardinals.
Kierstyn Lambert made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs. Heidi Ortega was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
The home team had come away the winner the last four times Cloverdale and Kelseyville had met, but sadly for the fans who attended this one that wasn't the case. The Eagles blew past the Knights 16-7 on Friday. The result was nothing new for the Eagles, who have now won ten matches by nine runs or more so far this season.
Camryn Bird made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out seven over four innings pitched. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than one walk in nine consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, earning one RBI, two runs, and two stolen bases.
In other pitching news, Charlotte Burchett looked comfortable as she tossed three innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Ronni Hatcher was a standout: she got on base in four of her five plate appearances with three stolen bases, two runs, and one double. Those three stolen bases gave her a new career-high. Bella Sanchez also deserves some recognition as she hit her first double of the season.
Cloverdale hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least two batters in three consecutive contests.
Cloverdale's victory was their sixth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 18-2. Those road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.2 runs over those games. As for Lower Lake, their defeat dropped their record down to 8-12.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Lower Lake has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Cloverdale struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Lower Lake came up short against Cloverdale in their previous matchup back in April, falling 7-3. Can the Trojans avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
