Lady Pintos fall to Lady Indians

California pitcher Sam Beckham gets set to release a pitch in the first inning of the varsity game against Russellville Thursday at the California Sports Complex. The Lady Pintos ultimately lost 16-3.
California pitcher Sam Beckham gets set to release a pitch in the first inning of the varsity game against Russellville Thursday at the California Sports Complex. The Lady Pintos ultimately lost 16-3.

The California High School softball teams hosted Russellville Thursday, Aug. 28, at the California Sports Complex, where the varsity suffered a tough 16-3 loss to the Lady Indians in five innings.

The Lady Indians turned up the heat early in the contest, to lead 5-0 after their first at bat. The Lady Pintos answered with two runs to trail 5-2 after one inning.

Russellville added three runs in the third and two in the fourth to lead 16-3. California managed a final run in the fourth to trail 16-3. After a scoreless fifth inning, the Lady Indians took the win 16-3.

Adrianna Basnett recorded the win for Russellville with five strikeouts. Samantha Beckham pitched 1 1/2 innings for California, recording one strikeouts. Madelyn Jobe pitched the remaining 3 1/2 innings and recorded one strikeout.

California hits included a single by Braleigh Johnson, Ashlyn Moore, Erica Volkart and Abbie Harris.

Russellvile hits were led by Libby Mueller who had a double, single and three RBI. Blake Lueckenotte followed with three singles and two RBI. McKendra Fischer had a triple, single and one RBI. Kailee Stanley contributed a double and single, and Basnett had two singles.

California freshman Jessica Reynolds made two big catches at center field, and freshman Braleigh Johnson ripped two hits deep into center. While both were caught, Johnson proved she's a hitter who's just getting started.

California's JV contest ended in a tie at 4-4 after three innings.

The Lady Pintos will participate in the Prairie Home Softball Tournament Saturday. Russellville will play at New Bloomfield at 5 p.m. Thursday.