Bulldogs, Pirates Go Extra Innings

By BOB SNELL

The Progress

When Moapa Valley and Virgin Valley hook up, anything can, and usually will, happen.
In a game that had a little bit of everything – 27 runs, 19 hits, 26 strike outs and 13 walks – it was a ground ball that finally ended the extra-inning softball contest that took over three hours to play.

Bulldog freshman Reggi Frei’s grounder to the left side of the infield brought home sophomore Gabby Potter from third base to cap a four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning and lift the Lady Bulldogs to a 14-13 victory over the Lady Pirates on Tuesday afternoon at Bulldog Diamond in the season opener for both teams.

“It was nice to get the win, but the thing I liked was our kids never gave up,” Virgin Valley head coach Travis Griffiths said. “The girls didn’t get down after falling behind early and in that eighth inning. They always kept battling.”

Despite the high run total, Virgin Valley’s Riley Price turned in solid pitching performances inside the circle. The sophomore threw all eight innings while striking out 15 batters and issuing three walks.
“Riley is a tough pitcher,” Moapa Valley head coach Matt Messer said. “But I thought we watched too many third strikes.”

Moapa Valley freshman Andie Wood came on in relief of junior starter Edyn Bennett and pitched five-plus strong innings fanning eight batters while walking four.
“Andie came in and threw well,” Messer said. “I loved the way both our pitchers threw.”

Both Price and Wood belted home runs on the day. Price slugged a two-run shot to right-center in the second with Wood launching a three-run homer to left-center in the fourth.

The game did have its share of mistakes, however, as the two teams combined to commit 13 errors. Both coaches aadmitted that they must tighten up on defense.
“We do need to clean up our defense,” Griffiths said. “We’re still looking to get kids in the right spots. That might have had something to do with it.”
“That’s one thing we need to work on is shoring up our defense,” Messer added.

Moapa Valley scored three runs in the top of the eighth after the two teams were deadlocked at 10-10 through seven innings of regulation. Singles by senior Makenzie Staheli and Wood set the stage for an RBI single by junior Emily Matheson. An error and passed ball accounted for the other two runs.

Virgin Valley came right back in the bottom of the frame. Freshman Ana Tausinga drew a walk and senior Kaysha Heath singled to open the inning. Sophomore Destiny Moeai reached on an error that allowed Tausinga to score. Potter drilled a double to right-center scoring senior Savannah Cannon, who ran for Heath, and Moeai to even things at 13-13.

After Potter moved to third on a stolen base, Frei grounded a ball to the left side that was bobbled as Potter came home with the winning run.

Both teams opened the game scoring five runs each in their respective first at bats.
“I know that first inning was just nerves,” Griffiths said. “First game, playing Moapa. Once we got out of that, they settled down and started to play better. I just like how they never gave up.”
Staheli and Wood collected three hits apiece to lead the Lady Pirates.

“I’m happy with our offense for the most part,” Messer said. “It’s just the first game.”