Knights hammer out 16-1 win, go to 6-0

Lake County Record-Bee

Apr 12

Kelseyville shortstop Zayne Barker prepares to take the throw from catcher Max Hommer on a steal attempt by a Willits player in the bottom of the second inning. The runner was out at second base. (Photos courtesy of Marcy Leboy)

WILLITS — Eight Kelseyville High School starters collected hits and seven of those eight drove in runs Wednesday afternoon as the Knights pounded the ball in a 16-1 victory over the Willits Wolverines in North Central League I varsity baseball action at Willits.

The Knights improved to a league-best 6-0 while pushing their overall record to 9-5 with a sixth straight victory. They close out the first half of their NCL I schedule Friday at home against a vastly improved Lower Lake (1-5, 5-6) squad.

"I think it's going to be a good game," Kelseyville head coach Billy Shaul said with an eye toward Friday's matchup with the Trojans, who are under new management this season with head coach Mark Peterson running the program.

Even Kelseyville's outs were loud ones against the Wolverines, who managed just two hits — both of those in the second inning when they scored their only run against Kelseyville starting and winning pitcher Brock Barrick.

"We hit three comebackers that were loud and two of our hits (shots up the middle) hit their pitcher," Shaul said.

Kelseyville's Zayne Barker rounds first on his way to second on a double, one of his two hits against Willits. (Photos by Marcy Leboy) — Kelseyville's Zayne Barker rounds first on his way to second on a double, one of his two hits against Willits.

The Knights scored in every inning of the five-inning game and never came close to being retired in order. They sent eight batters to the plate during a three-run first, six during a two-run second, seven during a two-run third, eight during a three-run fourth, and 12 during a six-run fifth.

"Everyone on the roster except one player got on base," Shaul said of a 14-hit Kelseyville attack. "We didn't have many cheap hits."

Barrick and Tyler Bryant led the hit parade with three hits apiece. Barrick doubled twice and drove in run while Bryant had a double and four RBIs. Joey Gentle had only one hit in four official at-bats but drove in three runs.

"The three times he didn't get hits he hit the ball hard every time," Shaul said of Gentle. "He hit two line drives to center field and a one-hop seed to shortstop. His hit was a blooper."

Zayne Barker went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs while Alex Cabrera went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

Kelseyville first baseman Andrew Huggins prepares to slap a tag on a Willits runner sliding back into first base during a pickoff play. Following the action is pitcher Brock Barrick. (Photos courtesy of Marcy Leboy) — Kelseyville first baseman Andrew Huggins prepares to slap a tag on a Willits runner sliding back into first base during a pickoff play. Following the action is pitcher Brock Barrick.

The Knights were minus Luke and Kyle Watkins (excused absence), forcing Shaul to shake up his starting lineup and giving other players, such as Cabrera, a chance to show what they can do.

"Our lineup was all crazy," Shaul said.

Barrick worked 4 1/3 innings for the victory, striking out four and walking three. Trey Broyles closed it out, getting the game's final two outs on strikeouts.

Kelseyville's win was complete in almost every way, according to Shaul, including no errors on defense.

"The dugout talk was good, the atmosphere was good, it was just a good day of baseball," he said.

With the Knights alone atop the league standings as the league race nears the midway point, Shaul said his squad has a giant target on its back and needs to keep its focus each and every game.

"That's why we say just one game at a time," Shaul said.